Mia had never been rejected twelve times in one afternoon.
By the twelfth rejection, she was ready to throw a stapler.
“Too predictable,” Adrian said.
“It's a family campaign.”
“Exactly.”
“Families are predictable.”
“Not good ones.”
She stared at him.
“What does that mean?”
He ignored the question.
She packed her laptop.
“I'm going home.”
“It's only six.”
“I'm aware.”
“You're giving up?”
“No.”
She stood.
“I'm going to sleep so I can wake up tomorrow and hate you with renewed energy.”
He smiled.
She stopped.
“You smiled.”
“No.”
“You did.”
“I didn't.”
“You're terrible at lying.”
“So are you.”
She froze.
“What am I lying about?”
He looked at her.
“You tell everyone you don't care whether people like your work.”
She said nothing.
He continued:
“But you care very much.”
For the first time, Mia wondered how much Adrian actually noticed.
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