237 unread messages.

The newest ones appeared every second.

Wait... isn't Ms. Sullivan married?

Wasn't she seen with Mr. Blackwood tonight?

Tell me this isn't about the promotion...

I knew something was going on.

Someone had attached a blurry photograph.

Vance.

Me.

Laughing across the table.

Someone had circled the distance between us in red.

I stared at the picture.

It had been taken from inside the restaurant.

Not by accident.

On purpose.

I hadn't slept well that night. 

Every time I closed my eyes I saw the photograph.

By morning it had spread farther than I wanted to imagine.

The email went out at 9 AM.

Subject: Leadership Announcement...