Page 151 of Let's Kiss and Tell

Luce, are you okay?

Jonah:

Just give me a call when you have a sec.

Jonah:

Also Sam and Shanna are sleeping together

Jonah:

And their bosses found out

Jonah:

Wait, shit I forgot you’re at the wedding. Just call me when you can.

“What?” I say to myself, trying to decipher his messages. I then see one email in my work inbox.

From:The LA Journal

Subject:An Important Company Update

The blood rushes from my face as I open the email.The Journalhas only sent out an urgent company-wide update on a Saturday once before. It was to avoid in-office panic and ensure systems were locked before Monday.

Scanning the words on my screen, I don’t think I can even process what I’m reading. What jumps out to me are the wordslayoffsandIf you are receiving this email, your team has not been affected.Shaking, I call Jonah back. It takes only two rings until I hear his voice.

“Took you long enough,” he says.

“I just got the email…” I say. “I’m safe. Are you?” I ask and there’s silence on the other end. I pull my phone away and look at the screen to make sure I still have service. The call is still intact. “Jonah?” I say, my voice practically shaking. “Jonah?Are you?!”

“No,” he says.

The ground beneath me feels like it shakes. Like a tremor and I almost lose balance. My heart plunges into my stomach as my chest collapses into itself.

“No,” I barely get out, refusing to believe him. Jonah is not only a grade A employee, he’s also someone who has a social presence; people follow him as if he were an influencer and read his stories becausehewrote them. He has pull in the entertainment industry and he can book exclusive interviews in a way other writers can’t. Aside from his skill set, he’s agood person.He’s the heart of the office. He knows everyone and he’s integral toThe Rue’s culture. “No,” I cry.

“It’s okay, Luce. It’s okay.” Jonah regains composure and he’s suddenly the one comforting me. “I’m okay. I got a good severance package. I’ll be okay.”

“I don’t—I don’t understand…” I manage to say. “How? Why? You’ve been there for seven years!”

“I don’t know,” Jonah says defeated.

“How many people were affected?” I ask.

“That’s the thing…” Jonah’s voice lowers. “I think fifty this round.”

“This round?”

“Apparently, they’re going to do cuts in waves. One more before the end of the year.”

“Fuck.” I shut my eyes. I knew this was coming. I was expecting it, but the bullet I just dodged is actually a boomerang that I’m not safe from. But I can’t even think about myself right now. “Jonah, I’m so sorry,” I say, fighting back tears.

“It’s okay,” he reiterates. “Elijah has a good job. I’m on his insurance, I will be fine. I promise, Luce, I’ll be okay.”

I sniff and force myself to believe him. “Also, what?” I refer to his slew of texts. “Sam and Shanna? Who’s Sam?”

“The guy fromThe Journal!” Jonah says. “From happy hour.”