Page 6 of I Want You

“I didn’t have one when we were married either, Victoria. Or at least that’s what you showed me.”

Victoria feels a rush of heat rise to her neck.

“The only thing I needed was for you to show up and steal the position I’ve fought so hard for,” Harper snaps.

Victoria furrows her brow.

“Did Eleanor promise you the top job?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Now it turns out it is,” Victoria insists. “If the board is going to force us to share command, I need to know exactly where I stand and what promises have been broken.” She flashes a smile. “Whether we like it or not, we have six weeks to do our job.”

Harper narrows her eyes.

“Fine, but don’t even think about trying to be my boss.”

“You won’t be mine either. I’d like you to be clear on that.”

“Believe me, I know.”

“In that case, there won’t be any problem working together,” Victoria concludes coldly.

“None at all.”

“Perfect.”

“Perfect.”

Harper is the first to break the silence. She turns abruptly toward the chair where she left her purse, grabs her cell phone, and checks the screen.

“We have the introductory meeting with the entire editorial team at 11:30. Eleanor wants me to do the honors.”

Victoria glances at her wristwatch.

“Plenty of time to catch up and become the best coworkers.”

The door to the conference room swings wide open. Solange Smith bursts into the room carrying a garment bag in one hand and two takeout coffee cups in the other. She comes to a screeching halt when she sees them face to face, separated by the table. Her gaze darts from Harper to Victoria and from Victoria to Harper as if she were watching a tennis match.

“Well,” she blurts out without further ado, “what a surprise.”

Victoria can’t help but let a broad smile spread across her lips. Solange walks over to Harper and hands her one of the cups of coffee.

“So we’re going to have you hanging around here, Victoria.”

“That’s the plan. At least for the next six weeks.”

“Wonderful. Nothing fosters creativity quite like working side by side with your ex-wife. The ideal work environment,” the stylist jokes.

“Are you done with the show yet?” Harper interjects, taking a sip of her coffee.

“I still have a couple of jokes left, but I have a photo shoot on Set Three in fifteen minutes and I can’t be late. I just wanted to lighten the mood with a little coffee.”

Solange leans toward Harper’s ear and, in a whisper deliberately loud enough for Victoria to hear perfectly, adds:

“If you need me to ‘accidentally’ run her over, just let me know. I’ve got an alibi.”

“I’ll definitely keep that in mind, thanks,” Harper replies.