Page 87 of Forty, Flirty & Fired

The ballroom glows with thousands of lights, each carefully programmed to showcase Drake Enterprises' transformation.

The transformation I helped create while planning to expose everything.

The transformation that actually worked.

The transformation I might destroy anyway.

"More champagne!" Lucia decides, correctly reading my spiral. "Also, Roberto's latest baby shower email just arrived. Want me to delete it?"

I grab her phone instead, because apparently four glasses of champagne means I'm ready to handle my ex-husband's happiness.

FROM: Roberto Sullivan

TO: Mackenzie Gallo

SUBJECT: Baby Shower RSVP?

Mac,

Katie's really hoping you'll come. She says you're her "career inspiration" and wants to "bridge any awkwardness." The shower theme is "New Beginnings" - ironic, right?

Hope you're well. Though according to tech industry gossip, you're more than well. At least according to your colleague Keith's viral tweets about your "revolutionary romance."

-R

PS: Katie's registry is all organic, sustainable baby items

"Delete it," I decide, reaching for more champagne. "Also, remind me to fire Keith."

"For the revolutionary choir or the viral tweets about your love life?"

"Both. Also the fact that he's currently teaching Seattle's tech elite something called the 'equity electric slide.'"

Through the crowd, I spot Alex talking to board members. He catches my eye across the room, and for a moment I forget about exposés and ex-husbands and everything except how amazing he looks in a tux with a pocket square that matches my dress exactly.

"Drink," Lucia orders, pressing another champagne flute into my hand. "Then maybe actually talk to your boyfriend instead of staring at him like he's dessert?"

"I'm not?—"

"Ms. Gallo?" Emma appears with her tablet. "Mr. Drake needs the login for your workspace. Something about reviewing the cultural impact metrics before his speech?"

"Tell him it's—" I start, then stop because six glasses of champagne definitely shouldn't make important decisions. "Actually, I'll text it to him."

I pull out my phone, typing quickly:

ME: Workspace login: MGallo_Drake_2024

Password: ChampagneRevenge2024

I hit send before I can overthink it.

Alex's reply comes immediately:

ALEX:Revolutionary password choice. Though I prefer your current methods of corporate criticism

I watch him disappear into his office, probably to review metrics that definitely don't include my planned takedown of his company.

Everything's fine.

---