“I sounded her out not too long after I lured her from Elle. I’ve always liked her. I’m getting together a good team, her and other people from all over the business. Come on, Jules. You owe me.” He pointed his index finger at her nose. “For Salon. There’s no reason not to pay me back now.”

“I know. I-it’s just a lot to, to—”

“To take in. Look. I don’t want to kick you while you’re down. This was supposed to be an exciting opportunity, not something you feel forced into because you don’t have a job anymore.” He grimaced.

“Simon, I appreciate it,” she said at once. She had to make that clear. “I really do.”

“Think about it and answer me soon. Within the next day or two. I need to know.”

Jules relaxed. A day or two. That would give her time to talk to Vivian. Time to think. “I promise.”

His eyes twinkled. “I hope you say yes. You and me, kid. Let’s get the band back together and blow this popsicle stand.”

She managed a weak smile. “Well—”

The door to Simon’s office slammed open with such force that both of them jumped.

Jules, her nerves run ragged, cried out. And she felt no calmer when she saw Vivian Carlisle barreling into the room still wearing her coat and clutching her bag, her face tight and glowing with a fury Jules had never seen before.

Out of the corner of her eye, Jules saw Simon cringe.

Vivian didn’t even seem to notice him. Her gaze was so fierce that Jules wondered if it might not actually bore all the way through her head and into the wall behind.

“You’re, um, early,” Jules said uselessly. “I guess the rental car—”

Breathing quickly, Vivian said, “Allie just told me, though I’m sure she’s mistaken, that you said Mark Tavio fired you this morning. There was something about an elevator.”

Jules swallowed, shivered, and nodded.

Vivian took a deep breath and held her shoulders up straight, quivering as though she might explode on the spot.

“Vivian,” Jules whispered with no idea of what she’d say next. She wrung her hands.

“Don’t worry.” Her usually imperious voice sounded strangled.

Jules felt a tug deep in her gut, deep in her heart, and suddenly wanted more than anything to run to Vivian and wrap her arms around her, though who would be comforting whom?

“Don’t worry,” Vivian repeated. “I’ll take care of it. He can’t do this. You’re not going anywhere.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Simon said.

Jules whipped her head around. “Simon,” she gasped because, oh no—

Vivian shook herself as if she’d just noticed Simon. “What are you talking about?”

“Simon!” Jules repeated, on the verge of panicking.