NATALIE
The steering wheel felt warm under my palms, my fingers drumming lightly in time with the hum of the AC.
The traffic ahead crawled, then lurched forward, then slowed again, like it couldn’t make up its mind. Pretty much how my brain felt after the interview.
Blaze & Bloom Advertising. Just thinking about it sent a flutter through my chest. I replayed every moment as if it were a movie—my smile, their smiles, the way the panel leaned forward when I nailed that question about campaign strategy. God, that moment. I’d felt like I owned the room. This job would mean stability. Money. Freedom. I could almost taste it.
A buzz from my phone cut through my daydream. I glanced at the screen at the red light—Joan.
Baby Maria’s shoot is today! You better be here before she falls asleep.
