“I would,” I agreed, “but there seems to be a difference of opinion about Carson in-house. Miguel wanted him for my job but Soph convinced him, sort of, to hire me instead.”

“But Carson’s not qualified,” Booker said. He raised his hands as if imploring the gods to help him understand why Carson would even be considered. “He’s not the best graphic designer, and he has terrible management skills. Being a creative director is all about solving the client’s problems, new business pitches, and bringing innovative ideas to the table. He has none of that. He just wants to quaff beers on the golf course with clients and then offload the rest of the work onto his assistant.”

“So exactly what he does now but for a bigger check,” Luz said. “Working for him is a nightmare.”

“Why haven’t you told Miguel and Sophie?” I asked.

“Because Carson said he’d get me fired if I went over his head, and he’s tight enough with Miguel that I think he’ll do it,” Luz said.

“You could leave,” I said.

“No, I love my job, I love my team, and I really believe Vasquez Squared is going places. Why should I leave because of him?”

“Fair point. All right, so that I can be prepared, in what way is he awful?” I asked. “Other than what I already know?”

“Do you remember when you were in school and you had to do group projects?” Luz asked.

I nodded.

“There was always one team member who didn’t do any work, but in the end took all of the credit?” Booker added.

I cringed. “He’s the slacker.”

“Exactly,” Booker said. “But he’s even worse, because he overpromises and then underdelivers, as in delivers nothing at all, and everyone else has to scramble to make it right with the client.”

“What he did to you today, he’s done to me, too. I almost lost my job because of him,” Luz said.

“He hasn’t pulled that with me,” Booker said. “But if he’d been promoted to creative director, I would have quit.”

“How have Miguel and Soph not noticed this?” I asked.

“Oh, Sophie knows,” Luz said. “I think that’s why you’re here.”

“As for Miguel.” Booker paused and shrugged. “His bro code runs deep, and he simply can’t see his old fraternity buddy clearly.”

“All right,” I said. “Thanks for sharing all of that with me. I know it’s uncomfortable to talk negatively about coworkers.”

Luz smiled at me. “In this case, it’s a relief. I was a little worried you’d get taken in by him, too. Half the staff despises him—”

“The ones he’s screwed over,” Booker jumped in. Luz gave him a look, and he pressed his lips together.

“And the other half adores him,” Luz said. “It can be hard to know where the loyalties lie in regards to him.”