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“What do you think about Easton’s company?”

“What?”

“Sacrifice Nothing,” the man says. “That’s the name.”

“It’s kind of a stupid name,” I say. “I mean, everything in the entire world that matters requires some kind of sacrifice, right?”

He tilts his head. “How so?”

“I get that it appeals to people who have never had to give anything up, and I suppose that’s the whole idea. Their overpriced stuff is for people who want to have it all, but really, they’re fooling themselves.”

“Are they?” Tyler smiles.

“Let’s assume the money they have to spend to buy something from that label isn’t already the trade-off because they just have so much. They’re also clearly valuing things that won’t really bring them joy. The overpriced clothes and shoes and watches are just another empty patch for the holes in their soul.”

Tyler nods slowly. “Wow, you really don’t think you’re his girlfriend.”

I chuckle. “Nope.”

“You’re not like all the people who buy Easton’s brand, then?”

“Vapid, you mean?” I ask. “Spoiled?” I shake my head. “I certainly hope not.”

The man spins around then, hissing. “Did you get all that?”

When I follow the direction he’s looking, I see a woman holding a camera. She throws him a thumbs up.

“What on earth. . .” But Tyler’s shaking his head. “The weird thing is, when we asked Easton who you were earlier, he had a slightly different answer.”

“Who are you?” I ask.

“I told you,” Tyler says. “A reporter with Piper Communications.”

I thought he was just another wannabe businessman trying to network, but he did tell me he was with a communications company. I just didn’t think—reporter. “Look, I was spouting inane party nonsense.”

“I thought you sounded eloquent,” Tyler says. “You certainly look poised. And I think the bit about how you’re wearing DSW shoes was especially cute. Relatable.”

“I don’t give you permission to post a video with me in it.”

“Sadly for you, New York is a one-person consent state, which means the only person who has to give consent is me, since I was also on video.”

I want to strangle him. “Alright, what do you want?”

“You know,” he says. “I actually feel a little bad. You two are kind of cute.”

“If you feel bad, just delete the video.”

“Can’t do.” Tyler frowns, and a moment later he disappears entirely.

“Hey you,” Easton says. “Ready to go?” He glancesbehind me and to the left. “We should go fast, because I think that’s Patrizio Bertelli, and if he realizes I saw him, I’ll be stuck. I’ve been waiting to hear back from him for two days.”

“You can talk to him,” I say. “It’s fine.”

“I’d rather talk to you.” He’s smiling as he leads me out the front door.

“Easton,” someone says.

He starts jogging. “Quick. It’s like a pack of wolves in there.”

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