Meeting His Match (Single In the City 1)

n my footsteps.”

Mel tipped her head skyward. “Man, I wish I could quit too. I would love to find something else, but I barely make enough for me and The Triple Threat as it is. If I didn’t have kids though, I would be gone.”

Caroline nodded solemnly. “Yeah, plus neither of us have a cult following like you do. You’ll find something, I promise. Anyone would be lucky to have you.”

Marti exhaled and gave their hands one final squeeze, then released them.

“You ready for this?” Mel asked.

“It’s now or never.”

By the time they arrived at the office together, Marti’s nerves were tangled into a massive ball of knots. They took the elevator to the third floor, then made their way past Karen’s empty desk and down the hallway toward the cubicles while Marti contemplated the words she’d say to Blue with every step.

Her footsteps echoed down the halls. The scent of coffee and printer paper lingered in the air, and her eyes filled with tears.

They passed the break room on their right. Karen hurried from the open doorway, catching Marti’s arm. Her eyes flickered with excitement, darting around the room before she grinned. Marti already missed her homemade muffins.

“Did you hear yet?” Karen asked, practically vibrating with excitement.

Marti frowned. For the first time, she noticed music playing in the background, and not the typical jazz that filled the office walls, but . . . party music.

She scanned her surroundings. The office was in a frenzy. People zipped from one cubicle to the next, standing in groups, talking animatedly, their voices buzzing like bees.

Marti, Mel, and Caroline exchanged a questioning glance.

“Did we hear what?” Marti asked, tentatively.

Karen bounced on her toes. “You’ll never believe it. Blue is gone!”

Marti laughed half-heartedly. “What do you mean gone?”

“Word is.” Karen glanced around her, leaning in to whisper, “she got busted for some shady business practices. She’s getting sued, and she has back-taxes.”

“Wait. What?” Marti gaped.

Karen nodded and her forehead crinkled. “I’ve heard it will cost her a fortune. She might even be facing some jail time.”

Marti stared at her, speechless.

“What does this mean for us?” Mel asked, her expression stricken.

Oh, poor Mel.

Marti’s heart went out to her. This could be bad news for everyone. If PopNewz shut down, hundreds would lose their jobs, but Mel had three kids at home.

“That’s the best part.” Karen’s eyes brightened. “People are saying they think she fled the country in order to evade a prison sentence, but not before selling the company to some billionaire on a dime.”

“Whoa,” Marti said, stunned.

“I know. And we’re all to take the next couple days off while the company regroups.” Karen raised her eyes skyward. “Thank heaven for small miracles.” She hurried down the hall, mumbling about a vacation as she left.

All three of them stood there, staring at the chaos that was PopNewz in stunned silence.

It looked like Marti wasn’t the only one that had an eventful weekend. While Logan’s story ran, Blue was dealing with a whole host of problems of her own. And clamoring to find a way out of them.

Why couldn’t this have happened before Blue went and ruined everything with her and Logan?

“You don’t have to quit now.” Caroline shook Marti’s arm, shaking her free from her thoughts.