Page 152 of Let's Kiss and Tell

I knew there was something going on. I could just sense it.

“They’re dating?” I ask, recalibrating my brain to this new update. There’s too much information to process in such a short amount of time.

“Yeah,” Jonah replies, “andfired.”

“They got—” I choke on my words. “Fired?!”

“I don’t know the details but pretty much their bosses found out and now they’re the only people from their teams affected by layoffs. It’s not a coincidence.”

“But…” I try to collect my thoughts. Sam works atThe Journaland Shanna is atThe Rue.“They’re at different publications,” I say.

“I don’t think it matters. HR is strict about that stuff. Especially because Shanna is a senior writer. God, I hate corporate life,” he breathes out, and I have nothing to say in return. “You need to be careful, Luce,” Jonah warns.

“Me?”

“Yeah, you,” Jonah says. “Marsh is more senior than Shanna.”

My stomach drops. Surely this is not the same thing. “But that’s different.”

“How? It doesn’t matter,” he says. “Forget if you’re sleeping together. If people found out your stories are about him, or that you’re at a wedding together right now, it’s not going to be good.”

My heart starts to pound. “Jonah, you’re scaring me!”

“I don’t mean to!” Jonah says, easing up. “All of this stuff just happened so obviously as your friend, I need to tell you.”

“No, I know.” I take a breath. “It’s just, that’s different…and even if Eman found out, she likes me! Do you think she would fire me?”

“I knowshewouldn’t,” Jonah says. “But we’re all just numbers. So, be careful, okay?”

I feel like my insides are being pumped with helium and I’m about to pop. “Yeah, okay. Thanks for telling me.”

“I got you,” Jonah says sincerely. “We’ll talk next week, okay? I’ll call you or we’ll do a coffee.”

My throat feels tight knowing that I won’t see him in the bullpen on Monday morning. Knowing that my best friend lost his job.

“Talk next week,” I agree, then hang up.

Nothing feels real.

I reread the company email. Over and over again.

I was so worried about myself this whole time I didn’t even think about the people I care about. I never thought it would be a possibility for Jonah to lose his job. I didn’t think—

“You ready?” Marsh appears and my stomach lurches. There’s a somatic reaction to seeing him looking so blissfully relaxed. So happy. But my body already knows what my brain is comprehending.

Given the recent news, this changes everything.

I can’t take any chances.

I need out.Now.

He walks toward me and my hands begin to tremble.

“It’s beautiful out here,” he says but I don’t react. He draws back to look at me, a groove forming between his brows. “Hey, you okay?” he asks and I can’t bring myself to respond. “You’re practically shaking.” He takes off his suit jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. “Is it too cold?”

“Check your email,” my voice cracks.

“What?”