This wasn’t going well. Think fast. “Yes, but that’s good, right? It means I’ll get back a day earlier and I can take care of things before you arrive. Right?”

Vivian did not look one jot less outraged.

“Did you really not get my itinerary?” Jules said.

“I didn’t look at it,” Vivian growled. “I assumed you’d know to accompany me home.”

Jules took a deep breath and prayed for patience. “Vivian, your flight was full. Completely full. I didn’t think one day would make any difference.”

Vivian opened her mouth.

“I’ve got everything lined up for you,” Jules added. “There’ll be porters waiting to take your bags at the airport, and you’ll get priority boarding. And the VIP lounge. And Ben will be waiting to pick you up at JFK. You won’t need me for anything.” She tried a cajoling smile. “I even told the girl at the VIP lounge to have decaf waiting when you get there.”

Vivian set her jaw mulishly but said nothing else until they got into the car and Jimmy pulled away from the curb. Then she growled, “Don’t do this again.”

Saying she’d had no choice would be pointless. “Of course,” she sighed.

“I’ve decided on Lucia’s replacement,” Vivian said, changing the subject as if they hadn’t talked about airplanes at all. “Call Simon as soon as we’re home.”

“Okay.” When Vivian said nothing else, Jules added, “Which one did you pick?”

Vivian blinked and shook her head slightly as if she were coming out of a reverie. “The least appalling. The one from Elle.”

Simon’s pick, then. Jules was relieved.

“Judging from her application,” Vivian added, glancing down and adjusting her glove, “she would be absolutely delighted to work with me.”

Jules bit her lip to repress a grin. “Work with?” she said, trying to sound polite.

“I’m glad you understand these things, Julia.” Vivian settled back against her seat with just the hint of a smile.

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Jules kept her word. When she flew out of London at an obscenely early hour the next morning before Vivian was even out of bed, she was already running through her mental checklist of things she had to take care of when she landed. It was an exhausting list. But Jules had only staved off Vivian’s wrath by promising to take care of things, so that’s what she had to do.

Yesterday afternoon had been okay. Reporters were lurking across the street of the townhouse when they got back from Core, but they hadn’t gotten too close. By evening Vivian had seemed her old self again, and she’d spent the rest of the afternoon giving Jules orders to be fulfilled upon her return to New York.

All in all, it had been the weirdest holiday season ever.

She called Simon once the plane touched down.