As I enter the lounge, I spot the three loud women who were at the airline counter. The last thing I want is to spend the next twenty minutes listening to them chatting as I try to get some work done.

“Look, the hunk is here,” the busty blonde says. “It’s destiny.”

“There are other men in this lounge, Madeline. Is that destiny too?” There’s a pause. “You might want to buy a calendar to keep track of all your new lovers.”

Though the sarcastic voice sounds awfully annoyed, her comment makes me smile.

M. Archer: Annalise canceled.

“Good morning, sir. May I see your boarding pass?”

“Can you just look me up in your system?” I ask, annoyed, as I wait for Devon to answer my text.

“See, he thinks he owns the world. He reminds me of Emperor Palpatine—and my boss’s boss.”

I look at the attractive brunette with a shitty attitude more closely. Her hair is tied up into a messy bun, exposing her long neck. Unlike her friends, who wear jeans and jackets, she’s wearing a pair of yoga pants and a DU sweatshirt. Her snow boots have seen better days. She’s beautiful, even though she looks tired. The way she chews her lip as she’s looking at the buffet reminds me of someone.

“I’m not hungry, I just need some wine and a pillow,” she says, and finally I recognize her voice.

As I blink twice, I realize it’s Claire, as in Devon’s little superstar.

D. Evans: Sorry, she thought it was kind of weird to go on vacation with my best friend.

M. Archer: It was platonic. Did you tell her that?

D. Evans: Hey, I’m just the messenger. Sorry, man. There’s nothing I can do. I’m stuck with this account, and Claire isn’t answering her fucking phone.

I decide to call him and make this fast.

“What’s up, Archer?”

“Claire Solis is here.”

“She’s going to castrate me if I ask her to work during her vacation,” he interrupts me. “You know she’s amazing with our clients but … she gets a little bat-shit crazy when I cross the line.”

“What kind of line are you trying to cross?” I ask, alarmed.

He might be my best friend, but I can’t have him harassing our employees.

“Fuck, don’t think with your dick. I know she’s hot, but I’d never sleep with her. I’m talking about work. She gets angry when I call her on Sundays expecting her to work. What do you think will happen if I ask her to work during her vacation?”

“That’s not why I’m telling you. I mean, what do you think she’d do if I proposed she change plans and come with me instead.”