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"Would you be interested?"

The only thing I’ off all your clothes and tackling you, sir Iwhen I say, "Yes I would"

"Obviously the position is at a higher pay grade, Joellen," says Ruth, "so since you’ve been approved for a raise, if you got the job, you’d get a bu salary to reflect your raise"

I’ the chair, because I really need soood choice, so I lean against the wall and try to regulatewith sinus proble news"

Portia snaps, "You have to apply for it, like everyone else!"

Michael frowns at her harsh tone, and I’d like to smear peanut butter all over his naked body and take a weekend licking it off

Ruth, practiced with alleviating tension in the workplace, intervenes before Portia can beat me to death with the ruined chair "Of course All the proper protocols must be followed But you have seniority, Joellen, and an exceptional work record, and I encourage you strongly"--her pointed stare is that of an accomplice--"to apply"

Portia shoots to her feet, and the terees "As the editorial director, the final selection will, of course, be olden light shines down, and a halo appears over Michael’s head He says, "Technically, Portia, the final selection is mine"

I hold my breath as they stare at each other Portia backs down first, her lashes sweeping doard in defeat "Yes, Mr Maddox Of course"

Michael inclines his head, a kingly gesture, and I alod He’s a beautiful, benevolent, witch-slaying god

He turns to me with a smile that could end all wars "I’d like to see your application by the end of the week" He nods at Ruth and Portia "Ladies"

Then he turns and leaves, taking htly, "Well! I think we’re done here! Joellen, you can go back to work I’ll bring the application by your desk later today"

She’s almost as happy about Portia’s comeuppance as I am, and I realize I have a friend in the human resources departrins at ether

So of course I grin back, because it’s true

The rest of the day is a blur I float through it as if on clouds, ood luck It’s been my aspiration since childhood to be a senior editor at ahouse, and with a step up to associate editor, it’s finally within reach Getting to cha new authors be discovered, bringing literature and beauty into a culture-starved world

Some people want to be rich or fa ments sections of their novels Books have been my passion since I discovered Harriet the Spy when I was a little kid Fro from the Nancy Drew mysteries to Lolita, which my horrified mother found hidden under my bed

She wasn’t horrified because of the risqué nature of the book--not being a reader herself, she had no idea what it was about--but because it was a year overdue at the library I checked it out and never returned it, a habit that would one day cul on our door and de books--by that point there were dozens--or payment of the fines

I paid the fines with cash I’d saved fro jobs Even then, books were far , there’s a clean platter andoutside

You were right It was delicious Your loaf is even better than your pie

I’ that can top it

I se when I hear one And even though I won’t be taking a bite of anything I make for him, I’ll be damned if I’ll let the man have the last word