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He flicked a key on his laptop "Then the effect is colanced around the table All eyes were on ree," was all I said

Lukas put his elbows on the table and peered at lasses "Byron has a point You couldn’t go to a client with material that would add substantially to the cost of the project I like the concept, Paige and Glynnis, really, I do, but I’m not sure of itssustainability"

"It’s not a rain forest," I mumbled under my breath, and Glynnis kicked me The others stared at us in relief We hadn’t hit this one out of the park We’d made it to first base, but that barely counted, even in make-out sessions

"Byron, why don’t you shohat you and Rhiannon have co his attention to the A teaame?

Rhiannon and Byron shared a smile, and then fiddled on their laptops for a minute "It’s yours now," Rhiannon said "Take a look"

It was a psychedelic Peter Max–style extravaganza--the colors of Landon’s line swirling together in a ’60s-inspired wonderland The two hipstery girls superi the lipstick between each other There was no tagline, si across the bottouess pink’s not all bad," I said to Rhiannon

"It’s a certain shade," she retorted "I’d al," Lukas said, obviously pleased "Nicesound

"It feels fresh," Lukas continued "Well done"

"We were going for hipster raciously accept his victory "I’ain, but this tiave it an uncomfortable hum

"Jackie? Seth? You’re up," Lukas said

I realized then that Seth had been silent up until that point I also noticed that his color see into soreenish tint Was he sick?

"It’s there," Jackie said flatly

I found e of a lipstick-shaped rocket hurtling toward a star-laced sky It was retro, trite, andphallic Jackie and I had both dis around ave a quick nod and pursed her lips I noticed how much distance there was between her and Seth They’d had trouble from the start and obviously hadn’t found a way to overcome it I wished she’d asked for my help, but then would I have been able to offer any?

"Well," Lukas said "Well"

"The irace "The rocket isdoroaned "Did you intend for it to look like a dildo?"

"Enough," Lukas interjected "It’s a traditional take The space-age theathered hi employees, and neither do I I will share your proposals with Miss Trinka tonight To you’ll find an envelope at each of your workstations Inside will be a card that says ‘stay’ or ‘leave’ If you are in the position of leaving, take it n that there are opportunities for you elsewhere and that you now have the freedom to pursue them I do ask, however, that if you are asked to leave that you do so ih the back entrance Whoever it is, be aware that we all wish you the best of luck There is no reason for any long, drawn-out goodbyes"

As we shuffled out of the conference roo two of us to the curb was Petra’s method or his own