I will probably keep getting fired, no matter what I do. I could have the most awesome idea in the whole known universe. It doesn’t change the past four years. Every time I could have volunteered for a project but didn’t because it meant talking in front of people. Every time I had to present an idea and stumbled and stuttered and screwed it up. Every time I shunned my coworkers. It’s hard to work well with people when you do everything in your power to avoid speaking with them.

I’m so involved in my own thoughts, I forget about the next part of this day.

“Hey. Jane. Come with me.” Mark grabs my hand, tugging me from against the wall.

I yank it away and step back. “Mark. Make like a tree and fuck off.”

His mouth pops open. “What?”

I can’t help but grin in response. And laugh. I can’t believe I did it. Queen Bee was right. It’s effective. And simple. No confrontation even, because he’s too shocked to respond.

I walk away, leaving him alone in the hall, gaping after me. It’s possible I sashay a little. I did it! I told someone off without barfing or running away! I’m changing. Maybe that means time will change. It has to mean something, right?

I move through the main area, but then I’m stopped by Presley. “How did it go?”

“Not so good.”

“Oh no. Do you want to talk about it? We could take an early lunch.”

I stop, eyeing her hopeful smile. She’s always been nice to me. Every time I go into work, she asks me to lunch and I always say no.

“Actually, yes. I would like to. But I have to take care of something first. How about I meet you? Have you been to Saffron? I hear they have the best shawarma.”

Her brows lift, surprised. And then she grins. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”

I head out the front doors, walking down the street toward the pay phone at the next corner.

Footsteps slap the pavement behind me. My heart rate increases.

Alex.

“Hey, Jane. You okay?”

I spin around, greedy eyes taking him in. The old T-shirt. The messy hair. The concerned eyes.

All I can think about is kissing him.

Which sounds sweet, but it’s not a delicate feeling, it’s hungry and visceral, a living thing inside of me.

“So, how did the meeting go?” he asks.

I open my mouth to speak. I want to tell him I was fired. Just so he’ll invite me to his show and I’ll have the opportunity to see him later.

More than anything I would love to forget the world by making out with Alex. But I can’t.

“It was fine.”