“The number one market segment we need to reach are the young girls starting to wear makeup. My company will use several targeted social media campaigns as well as television spots to engage these consumers. Girls between the ages of fourteen and nineteen spend at least 78% of their time...” This is exactly my pitch. He goes on, meeting my eyes and silently confirming that he’s somehow gotten my presentation. I look over at Danielle and Piper to see how engaged they are—Piper is hanging on his every word, but Danielle doesn’t seem impressed. He’s cocky and condescending, talking to her as though he’s above her because she’s only an assistant.

My head is spinning. I can’t believe this. How did this jackass get my files? How did he get my social media stats and all my graphics? I did everything at home and then emailed my graph and presentation to myself. There’s no way he could have gotten them.

I’m trying to contain my rage and maintain my professionalism, but right now I could tear him limb from limb. I’ve never wanted to inflict bodily harm on someone as much as I do in this moment—hell, I could kill him with the rage coursing through me. Once again, Neil has stolen something from me and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. Thankfully, I always have a backup plan. My hands are shaking with barely contained anger as Neil finishes and sits.

Danielle turns to me. “Ms. Pope, if you would like to begin, please.”

I smile, harnessing my indignation so that I can use it. “Thank you, Danielle.” I gather my now useless boards and set them aside.

My eyes are sharp as I look over at Neil, and my voice is strong and steady. “Well, Neil, it sounds like you and I are in agreement for once.” I stand up, moving over to the projection screen to set up the video I put together.

“Danielle, let me show you the mock-up on what CJJ would want to hit the sites with. I won’t bore you with statistics and numbers—we all know this market. Instead, I’ve prepared a video to showcase how we’ll approach the campaign.” I go on explaining how I’d work with Raven’s marketing people and the press to strengthen the brand and image of the company. While I talk, I try to hit on points Neil didn’t mention to differentiate my presentation from his.

I finish my initial pitch, press the start button, and watch, hoping the video is enough to sway the vote to my side. It’s short and raw, and it certainly isn’t flawless, but it’s powerful. Part of being a publicist is marketing and helping clients create a plan. Whether I secure this or not, I know that I’ve shown my dedication and ability to think outside the box.

As the video ends, I look at Neil with my eyebrow raised and a smile that clearly says, “Screw you, asshole.”

I turn to Danielle and Piper, giving them my final pitch. “I assure you that my ability to work with the press along with my vast experience in marketing will help us skyrocket Raven to the top.” I’m completely composed because, like it or not, Piper is going to have a say on whether or not I get this project. It’s out of my hands now. I have faith that I did enough. If not, there’s nothing I could’ve done differently. Neil, on the other hand, better pray for mercy—I’m going to rip him to shreds.

When Danielle speaks again, I wonder if she’s more than an assistant. I can’t put my finger on it, but she seems assertive, not at all intimidated by handling a big meeting like this. Taylor is one of the best assistants I’ve ever known, but I’d still never send her into a meeting of this magnitude. “Thank you both for your presentations. I have a contingency that Mr. Cole needs to be in agreement before we make a final decision.” She looks at both of us for confirmation.

Neil cuts me off before I can speak. “Danielle, we’re prepared for whatever your company needs.”

“Both of your presentations were quite similar, but Piper and I will speak with Mr. Cole about our impressions. Typically, he isn’t involved in these projects, but this campaign is important to him. He’s aware that he needs to be the face of Raven now. We want the publicist to be available whenever necessary. That person will also need to travel on short notice at times.”

I nod in agreement. “Yes, of course, that’s all included in our contract. My schedule is open to Mr. Cole and the team here at Raven.” My eyes don’t waver from hers, which I hope assures her of my sincerity.

“Thank you both. We’ll be in touch.” She and Piper stand to shake our hands. “I truly appreciate your time.”

Now the waiting game begins. As for Neil, he should start running because my patience has reached its max. It’s about time he pays for his sins.

I step out of Raven’s building into the warm air, but a chill settles over me. I can’t believe what happened in the meeting. Of all the possible scenarios I was prepared for, Neil being the other publicist and Piper being a consultant was not one of them. I heard she’d been busy with her firm, but her attempt at surprise when she saw me was complete bullshit.

Then to have my research stolen by Neil? I’m at a loss on what to do. All I know is there’s no way I’ll allow him to get away with this. I’ve never been aggressive with him—I was always the perfect girlfriend, quiet and supportive. Good thing I’m not his girlfriend anymore. I deserve an explanation for this, among many other things.

I stand off to the side of the main entrance, waiting for Neil to exit. I hear him before I see him. He’s talking on his phone as he walks out, so I stand and wait. With each passing second my anger grows more and more. Who does that to someone? It’s so unethical. So … fucked-up. I’m about to lose it. He continues talking to whoever’s on the other line while I stare incredulously at this man I loved with every fiber of my being. The man with warm brown eyes, a smile that could light up a room, and soft sandy brown hair, which I used to run my hands through to put him to sleep. That was then. Right now all I see is a liar and a thief. I’m ready to get this confrontation over with. I walk over, grab his phone out of his hand, and end his call.

“What the—” Neil starts to say, whipping his head up. When he realizes it’s me, his mouth quirks into a self-satisfied grin.

That’s all I need to release the fury I was barely holding on to.

“How dare you? You son of a bitch!”

“Now Cat, you need to calm down. I’m not sure why you’re so upset.” A red haze begins to take over my vision.

“Not sure? Are you stupid? Oh wait! I already know the answer to that, you prick!” The scales deciding whether or not to inflict bodily harm are tipping decidedly toward inflicting. If I were on a seesaw, I’d be on the downside, heading to hell.

He looks at me as though I’m insane. I’m sure I appear to be to anyone passing us on the streets of New York City.

He raises one eyebrow and smirks. “You should really be more careful. I hear it’s very easy to forget things when you’re not paying attention. Like the funny way passwords save when you login on someone else’s computer.”

“Wow! You have some balls. You hack into my email, steal and use my presentation, and this is what you say to me? No ‘I’m sorry?’” I’m trying to control myself, but each time he speaks the fight is leaving me.

“Well, love, it’s not hacking if I have a password. Plus, we were going to share a life together. I didn’t think you’d mind sharing a few statistics for old times’ sake,” he replies smugly.

That’s it. I raise my hand, rear it back, and slap him across the face, enjoying the bite as it connects. The sound reverberates, causing a few people to stop and stare. My palm stings, but it reminds me that this is real. I’ve hit him. Finally. I’ve done what I wanted to for far too long and it feels damn good. Considering I had to sit through a two-hour meeting next to his self-righteous, project-stealing ass, I’ve earned the right to do a lot worse.