A young girl just out of college whirled around, and her hairswished, longer in the front and tipped with soft pink. “Oh, yes, hi. Hello, Mrs. Germaine.”
“Call me Liv,” I said and offered a smile. Diane had mentioned once that while focused, I could come off a bit stiff. “About the article you e-mailed me last night—you sent it pretty late.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” she said, her light eyes widening. “I was feeling so, like, inspired, and I didn’t want to stop so I was up all night working on it. Next time I can wait to send it till the morning.”
“No, don’t worry about that,” I said, waving my hand. “I’m just glad you got it in early. Makes everyone’s job easier.”
“Oh.” She covered her mouth and giggled. “I thought I was in trouble.”
“Anyway, it was good, but there are some revisions I’d like you to make. I’ll e-mail my notes. In the meantime, we’re gearing up for Chicago’s ‘Most Eligible’ issue, and this year, we don’t want any repeats on the list so we’re starting over. Can you help gather new prospects?”
“Sounds good,” Serena said as she made notes on a yellow pad. “How do I know what to look for? Attractiveness? Personality? Occupation?”
“All of that. Grab the last several issues to get an idea. Everyone who works here will have a suggestion, but I only want the best of the best. No friends of friends or relatives. Set up interviews with the top picks so Lisa and I can decide from there.”
“K,” she said. Even though it was just a letter, her voice wavered, and her eyebrows met in the middle.
“I was an intern once, too,” I said reassuringly. “You’ll figure it out.”
* * *
At an Italian restaurant uptown, my godparents, Mack and Davena Donovan, greeted me with more energy than friends my own age could ever seem to muster. I accepted their strong hugs by the hostess stand.
“How are you, dear?” Mack said, kissing my cheek.
“I’m well.” My heels made us the same height, putting me face to face with the salt-and-pepper flecks in his hair.
His wife’s Texan drawl starkly contrasted Mack’s clean, seasoned British accent as she added, “We want to hear everything new with you.”
“Bill should be here any minute,” I said. “He’s been at work late most nights since he started this job, but he’s on his way.”
“No problem.” Mack’s smile deepened the wrinkles by his eyes. “Let’s sit and get a drink.”
I let them go ahead on our way to the table. Mack and Davena’s hands stayed linked while they maneuvered through the restaurant after the hostess.
“How’s work?” Davena asked once we were seated.
“Great,” I said. “I just found out I’m up for a promotion. My colleague, Lisa, is more qualified on paper, but I know I can handle more responsibility than I have now.”
“I knew you’d work your way up,” Davena said. “Didn’t I say so, sugar? I recommended you for that internship years ago because I believe in you.”
I grinned. “I still owe you. You never let us pay when we go out to dinner.”
“And you won’t tonight,” Mack said, “or any night we eat together.”
“Don’t waste your energy worrying about the competition.” Davena took out her reading glasses. “If I know you, she’s the one who should be worried.”
“And your mother?” Mack asked, his tone softening. “How’s she?”
I opened my menu. “She’s my mother.”
“Anything in the works?”
“Sure,” I said lightly. “Isn’t there always?”
“I always brag about what an outstanding writer she is,” Mack mused. “Brilliant artist when she’s on her game.”
“Certainly has an artist’s temperament,” I muttered.
