“Good point.” Julia laughed awkwardly, trying to maintain her balance as she lunged forward on her other leg. By the time she managed to pull off the switch without face-planting, her boss was already changing positions again. Julia watched in bemusement as Cleo bent over, palms flat on the office carpet in a downward dog pose.

Okay then.

Julia bit back a sigh and forced her body into a similar position. Her boss’s sudden appearance in the break room may have been just a coincidence, but this impromptu yoga session had to be punishment for something.

“What’s up?” Cleo asked.

Currently? My ass. Maybe it was all the blood rushing to her head, but Julia decided she might as well go for it. “I heard there’s another round of layoffs coming.”

“Ah.” Cleo met her gaze from between her legs. “And you’re worried.”

Julia attempted an upside-down nod.

The editorial director rolled to a standing position, and Julia, much less elegantly, followed suit. Going up on her tiptoes, Cleo bobbed up and down. “It’s true, there was a memo about staff cuts coming at the end of the month.”

Fucking memos. Flexing her calves and hoping she hadn’t said that out loud, Julia bobbed too. Popping up and down on her tiptoes, she felt like she was auditioning for a game of Whac-A-Mole. The image was painfully accurate. She needed to stand out from the other moles, do something to avoid getting whacked. She needed to show her worth.

Andie was right. It was time for her TADA moment.

Taking a deep breath, Julia planted her feet on the floor. “I’m one of the best writers you have on staff.”

“I know that, Julia.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t been expecting that response. “I didn’t think you’d noticed, since I’ve been writing the same stuff for almost three years.”

“I thought you liked writing those lists and quizzes.”

“I do.” Not a lie.

“And I wouldn’t say it’s the same. You always deliver fresh, witty, and entertaining content. Your articles get steady traffic on the site. Bring in great ad revenue.”

“Not enough, apparently,” Julia couldn’t help grumbling,

Cleo pressed her lips together.

For a moment, Julia worried she’d gone too far. “I can’t lose this job,” she blurted.

“I appreciate your honesty.” Her boss rested back on her heels. “You were straight with me, so I’ll be straight with you. Nothing seems to be enough lately. When these department-wide layoffs come down from the main office, there’s not much I can do.”

“Is there anything I can do? Any extra stories I can pick up?” Julia asked, brain working furiously. “I can switch to another department, write for another column.”

“I can probably find a way to keep you on as part time…”