ia's

ter, I was packing my design portfolio

nce, the director o

th you?" the old prof

or the Phase 2 demo. Damian was supposed to host the pitch a

shoulder and ear, continui

I said flatly. "He had some urge

ance sighed heavily. "If he blows this, the board will strip his eq

t him know," I said p

t call

reckless choices-none of it

tear-off calen

the bold red numbers ha

he numbe

had entered

ge and let it fall

fternoon, my ph

e, it wa

s voice hoarse and urge

r next to the already-packed boxes. "He sa

night, and I stayed up the whole time changing her cold compresses until six this

ask that. The audaci

apartment and woken up late, and he

my voice ice-cold. "I don't have a

ly realizing how absu

ake is really sick. She has no one in this city. Her mother sp

't matter

flat reactio

. "That designer bag you liked last month-I'll buy it for you, okay? If Vanc

epartment, Damian," I said in a detached, profession

ould argue,

er, the calen

mpus, finishing the transfer pape

ed, my three best college friends dragged me to a cozy

against mine. "A three-year design fellowship at the École des Arts D

ed for Europe,

around the crowde

e-in boyfriend, shouldn't he be th

beer, letting the bitter hop

he company funding ro

ed and roll

u saw in that cold robot. He treats you like a personal assistant.

not,"

red at each ot

sked, her voice softer. "Ar

my glass, watching tiny bubbles rise

smiling calmly. "He ju

after midnight. The cold beer and my frie

he kitchen wall and rippe

the countdown cale

ring black

ntdown