"Please, have a seat," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me, even though we both knew she wouldn’t take it.
Sierra tilted her head, giving me an almost pitying look before brushing off my invitation entirely.“A scout fromCosmopolitanreached out,” she said, her voice dripping with calculated nonchalance.“They were looking for someone with creative expertise, and, well...”She let the words hang, the pause intentional.Theatrical.
"It was an offer you couldn’t refuse."I didn’t bother masking my pleasure.“Good.”I should’ve kept that to myself, but exhaustion had chipped away at my patience.
Sierra had always been a thorn in my side, but she was also talented as hell.And if there was one thing about her, she didn’t just survive in high-pressure environments—she thrived.
Still, I smiled, my voice even."I’m happy for you."And despite my personal feelings, I meant it.
Her lips curled, amusement flickering across her face like she could smell the relief rolling off me.“I’m sure you are,” she said, her voice lilting with barely concealed glee.
Petty.And unapologetic about it.
She smoothed a hand down her hip and continued, “I’ve already discussed it with Creed.He’s supportive."She paused for effect, then added, "And I recommended Dixie as my replacement.”
I lifted an eyebrow.That was unexpected.“Really?”I asked carefully masking my skepticism.
Sierra shrugged, tossing her hair over one shoulder.“She’s talented and more than qualified.She’d be perfect for the role.”
I let out a breathy chuckle, nodding slowly.“I agree and appreciate the endorsement.”
Sierra waved a perfectly manicured hand dismissively.“I’ve already spoken to Dixie.She’s elated.I just thought you should know.”She was handing over the baton like she was doing me a favor.
Before I could respond, she added, “I’ll be leaving after the Thanksgiving holiday.It’ll give me time to get to New York and find an apartment.”
I nodded, polite but detached, and said, "Best of luck."
Her lips curved into a razor-sharp smile.“I don’t need it but thank you.”
Of course she didn’t.
Sierra turned to leave, but before stepping out, she glanced back over her shoulder, her voice softer but no less confident.“By the way...”she said casually.“The special winter issue looks fantastic.You and Mavis outdid yourselves.”
I froze.
A compliment.
From Sierra.
My first thought wasn’t gratitude—it was confusion.Why now?
I didn’t even have time to respond before she was gone, her heels clicking against the floor, the sound fading as the door whispered shut behind her.
I stared at the empty space she left behind, unease curling low in my stomach, already missing the distraction she had provided.I was back to drowning in the silence Creed had left me in.Every second of it suffocated me, pressing against my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake.
It was worse than his anger.More intense than his clipped words.Worse than the look in his eyes the last time we spoke—the one that told me I had pushed him too far.
The silence wasn’t emptiness.It was pressure.
And then, just as I felt myself slipping—not toward hope, but toward resignation—my phone buzzed.A text message.I snatched it up, my pulse pounding.
Be in front of the building at 5.
It wasn’t an invitation.It was instruction—brief, impersonal, and unmistakably deliberate.
Should I be ready to obey?
The words tasted familiar on my tongue—and that frightened me.
