Jill pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. Look at all this. We just fully secured a new client and I’m neck deep in everything to get their campaign off the ground. I don’t have time.”

“You know what they say about all work and no play. So come on out and play. When’s the last time you did? I’m sure there will be plenty of hotties at the bar. We can find you someone nice who might help get rid of your perpetual scowl.”

“Since when do me and nice go together?”

“Fair point. But come on, it’s been so long since we’ve let loose a bit. We’re due.”

“I get it, Sammy. But I can’t tonight. Maybe another time.”

Sam sighed, stood, and rested her hands on Jill’s desk. “Stop letting work run your life.”

“It’s not running my life. I happen to like my job.”

“You like succeeding at your job.”

“Whatever,” Jill mumbled.

“Instead of going out, just come over for a glass of wine on Friday. That better?”

“Sure,” Jill replied, her focus on a schedule from her design department.

“Did you even hear what I asked?”

“Yes. Wine. Friday. I got it.”

Sam sighed again. “See you then.”

“Uh-huh.” Sam left, and Jill heard another round of laughter coming from her assistant. Glaring at her doorway, her murderous thoughts were put on hold when her cell phone rang. “Jesus. What now?” She pressed the Accept button with a little more force than necessary. “Jillian Jacobs.”

“Hi, Ms. Jacobs. This is Beth from the Taylor Murphy Group. I was calling to see if you’d be available for your next meeting on Monday at four.”

Jill pulled up her calendar on her computer. She had a meeting at two that afternoon, but it should be over in plenty of time for her to get over to TMG’s office. “Yes, that’s fine.”

“Great, thank you. Any questions?”

“No.” Jill ended the call and tossed her phone on the stack of papers next to her. She pulled up her calendar and blocked off time for the meeting on Monday. She looked at her to-do list and then at her watch. Only six thirty. Plenty of time to knock out the rest of the list and reward herself with some takeout on her way home.

On Wednesday night, Reagan arrived at her friend Carly’s house. She had gone to school with Carly and Gwen and they had been best friends ever since. Carly lived in an adorable blue house with a large front porch in the Fountain Square area.

After giving Carly a quick hug, Reagan toed off her shoes into the coat closet. “New glasses?” Reagan asked, pointing at the red, square frames. They went well with Carly’s long, brown hair and bangs that hit just above the frames.