Page 92 of A Duet of Darkness and Dreams

Her nose pinches as though she’s smelled something foul.

“Have a great day,” I say with an overly chipper smile. She blinks, and after scooping up my documents, I turn on my heel and storm out of the office. I’ve walked almost five miles by thetime I’ve calmed down, realizing I just as easily could’ve taken the bus.

What the hell was all that about? Like I wouldn’t behave professionally . . . What does she think? Does she think the same as that foul bastard, Simon? That I’m sleeping my way to the top? I mean, yes, Dave and I have slept together now, but—oh god, if Eliza ever found out about that . . . Would Mister Lewis really fire me for that? He seems desperate to keep staff but maybe this is why the magazine is failing. Someone who holds no modern views would surely tank any business. I’ll have to be careful, but it’s not like I’m going to be sleeping with Dave again.

No, it was just once.

I stop in the middle of the sidewalk and press the heels of my hands to my eyes. What if they try to bring groupies back to the tour bus with me inside? What if Dave does? No, he promised me he’d keep it discreet if he was hooking up with someone else. But that anger and irritation bubbles up again at even the thought of him hooking up with anyone.

I take a steadying breath, put one foot in front of the other. Three weeks. That’s all I need to survive. Maybe establishing some rules with the guys right away will benefit everyone. No hooking up on the tour bus. Outside of that . . . it’s free game. But I need the tour bus to be a safe place.

My fistsclench as I stare at the glass doors of theStoneman Press. I suppose I do havesomefond memories here. It wasn’t all horrible . . . just most of it. I hold my head high and pull on the door. The place is fairly quiet, which makes sense considering it’s the holidays, but this couldn’t wait and I have no idea where else I might be able to borrow one.

“Excuse me, Randall?” I say, knocking on the editor’s door.

Randall looks up, and though there’s no paper to run at this time of year, he looks as disheveled as ever. “Miss Rodriguez,” he says. “What are you doing here?”

I step inside the chaotic office and sit in the chair I’m all too familiar with. “First of all, I wanted to thank you.”

“Thank me?”

I nod. “Yes. For making sure I got that message from Harold Lewis.”

“Oh, right, right. What was all that about anyway?”

I bite my lip. “He uh . . . he offered me an internship atEarworm Magazine.”

“Oh,” he says, sitting up. “That’s great news. I’m glad you found something.”

“He wants me to write a feature on Carnal Sins actually. Follow the band while they’re on tour. But I need a typewriter. Do you think I could borrow one?”

“I—uh—yes, of course. There’s still one on the empty desk in the back corner you can borrow.”

I stand. “Thank you.”

“Uh, Isabella,” he says, reaching out his hand. At my puzzled look, he continues. “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations.” He smiles. Warmly, genuinely.

“Thanks.”

Offering a subtle nod, I return it then step out of his office and head toward the back.

“There’s no way that’s true.”

I stop in my tracks. Not this. Not again. When is murder a viable option? I won’t let him bully me. I’m the one with the upper hand now.

Turning, I pull a smile on my face. “Simon. How unfortunate to see you.”

His face is menacing. “There’s no fucking way you’re working withEarworm.”

I place my hand on my hip. “Why would that be so unbelievable to you? I’m surprised you even know who they are—”

He moves quickly, his hands shooting out on either side of me, pinning me against the wall. “Tell me you’re lying,” he says with a snarl.

“Believe what you want. I don’t need to prove anything to you.” But as I watch his face, something pulls at his features in a way I’ve never seen before. His eyes are manic and searching and his lip twitches. Why is he so desperate to believe I’m lying? He swallows hard and it hits me. “Wait,” I whisper. “They rejectedyou.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw and while he says nothing, it’s evident all over his face.

“You applied toEarwormand they said no,” I say again.

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