Page 28 of VOGUEish

“I can’t say I was all that excited about the cover we turned in,” Ziggy said. “It didn’t have enough pizzazz.”

“If we win,” Ms. Birdie said, “I will give an extra week of vacation to each of you. Plus, a five-thousand-dollar bonus will be given to the individual who comes up with the theme of the winning cover.”

Mouths dropped. Even Isabella’s. One could buy a lot of fabulous material with that kind of money.

“Considering we can’t be certain who leaked the cover, discretion is required,” Ms. Birdie emphasized.

The room went from total silence to high volume chatter.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Ms. Birdie said. “We’re going to work off grounds, after hours, to produce this cover. Nothing will be mentioned about it during working hours. Of course, I will pay you double-time for those hours.”

“Why?” asked Tyce.

“Whoever helped leak our cover for the contest could still be employed at Naked Runway.”

“I bet it was Amanda,” Tyce said. “She probably had a mockup of it at home.”

“I can’t wait,” Isabella finally managed to say. “I won’t let Naked Runway down.”

“Great. Let’s get down to current business,” Ms. Birdie said. “Isabella, I left the book on my desk. Would you go grab it?”

Isabella jumped up and came back carrying the large looseleaf book. It contained the mockup of the upcoming magazine issue. As soon as she got the digital division up and running, there would be two books, and she would be in charge of the second. The realization both daunted and titillated her senses.

Ms. Birdie opened it to a set of pictures and read a note stuck there. “Amanda says none of the mockups will work for the Valentine layout. According to this note, she asked for five-foot-four models with curves and freckles, and she got everyday Barbies.”

“I’m the one who suggested curves and freckles,” Drew muttered. “She insisted on Barbies.”

Ms. Birdie waved the explanation off. “Have something to me by the end of the day. Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I have a phone call to make.”

“Ms. Birdie.” Her first name slipped out before Isabella could suck it back in. Last year’s flats.

“Yes, Ms. Chance?” Her use of Isabella’s last name clearly said she, too, knew her prodigy had just fumbled in a big way. Sure, Chandler’s Nonna had been upfront about hoping Isabella took a liking to her godson, but that wasn’t the same as Isabella flaunting their first name basis to the others.

Isabella cleared her throat. “Where are we meeting for the new cover design?”

“I’d say my place, but spies are no doubt already crouched behind my shrubs now that word is leaking that I’m the new owner. Does anyone have a suggestion?”

Isabella waited, giving everyone a chance to speak up first. When no one did, she replied. “There’s a semi-empty warehouse across from my place. I could make some calls and see if we can lease the bottom floor for a few days from its owner.”

Ms. Birdie studied her. “Nothing personal, dear, but if my memory serves me right, when I glanced at your resume, you live in a sketchy area.”

Bristles of annoyance stood the hairs on Isabella’s neck straight out. She really hated when people dissed her neighborhood. “It used to have a few rough edges. Not anymore. Now, it’s what my mom likes to call artsy fartsy.”

“I choose to trust my resource. He told me it’s not a safe location for a single woman to live.”

Was her source Chandler? Who else could it be? “I have a roommate and am quite safe. Yes, my neighbor sticks weird signs in his windows, but that’s just because he has a warped sense of humor. Not because he’s dangerous.” Or she didn’t think he was. Truth was, she’d never actually met the man.

Ms. Birdie tapped the tip of a perfectly manicured nail on the table. “Check with your source. If we’re able to rent the location, I will consider your idea.”

“Thank you, Ms. Fairway,” Isabella said.

“If there’s nothing else, lets adjourn.” Ms. Birdie stood. “I’ll send an email to each of you by closing time letting you know where we will meet to work on our secret project.”

“Then you plan on being at the meeting?” Ziggy asked.

“I never ask something of my employees I’m not willing to do myself. Now, let’s get to work. Oh, and team?”

“Yes?” they answered.

---