“‘A Dozen Ways to Up Your Dick Pic Game,’” Julia muttered, writing the possible title down in her notebook.

“Up your game?” Kat shook her head. “Uh-uh.”

“What? Too dude-bro?” Julia tapped her pen against the edge of the table. “How about ‘A Dozen Ways to Say I Love You With Your—’”

“Actually,” Andie interrupted, “I’m more concerned about the number. Isn’t a dozen rather optimistic?”

Julia doodled on the corner of the page. “Planning this article in the first place is optimistic.”

“Layoff rumors again?” Concern softened Andie’s voice.

“It’s journalism. There’s always layoff rumors.” Julia scribbled over the titles, pen scratching back and forth in jerky, irritated movements. “But I have confirmation from a reliable source that another wave of cuts is coming.”

“You’re the hardest-working person I’ve ever met.” Kat put an arm around her shoulders. “You’ve survived every layoff so far. Do you really think this will actually affect you?”

“The ax could drop any day,” Julia sighed, shrimp and noodles squirming unpleasantly in her gut. She’d told herself she wouldn’t bring this up at lunch, but she could never hide anything from her friends for long. “And I don’t think I’m going to escape the chopping block this time.”

Kat sighed too. “Shit, Jules.” She squeezed Julia’s shoulder. “Maybe this is a good thing.”

“How?”

“You were just complaining about being tired of writing yet another quiz on how to use your horoscope sign to determine which candidate on The Bachelorette would be right for you.”

“I like writing those quizzes. I’m tired of writing about The Bachelorette,” Julia amended.

“Then why torture yourself?”

“Because for some inexplicable reason, people really seem to enjoy reading about The Bachelorette.”

“Excuse me.” Kat poked her. “I’m one of those people.”

“If I didn’t write it, they’d find someone else who would.” Julia paused and glared into her teacup. “Though it looks like that’s about to happen anyway.”

“If you’re creating stuff people want, why do you think TrendList is going to lay you off?” Andie asked.

“I don’t think they will; I know it. I told you. The news came from a very reliable source.” Julia shook her head. “When I first started at TrendList, freelancers were the exception, not the norm. But they’ve been cleaning house. Firing writing teams and replacing them with part-timers who are cheaper and don’t qualify for benefits.”

“That sucks.” Kat frowned.

“Honestly, I’m lucky to have survived there this long.”

“Your career is just getting started,” Andie scoffed. “Maybe now, with some experience under your belt, you’ll find a better job somewhere else. One door closes another opens and all that.”