Breathless by Emily Snow, Heidi McLaughlin, Aleatha Romig, Tijan, Jessica Wood, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Skyla Madi, J.S. Cooper, Crystal Spears, K.A. Robinson, Kahlen Aymes, Sarah Dosher

windows, and three-tier chandeliers hanging strategically overhead, the main floor of Emerson & Taylor was a carefully orchestrated medley of modern sophistication.
    On the lobby walls, there were photos of Emerson & Taylor models from throughout the years, and I knew that if I turned to my left, I’d come face-to-face with a massive picture of my mother.
    In spite of the severe black and white camera setting, her personality had shined through, thanks to her smooched lips and the flirtatious wink of her brown eyes. She was younger than me in the photo, with her dark hair in waves around her strikingly symmetrical face as she displayed a slinky white sundress. I’d first noticed the picture when I came in here a week and a half ago, and it had taken everything out of me not to walk right up to it and stare.
    “It can be a tad overwhelming at first, but you’ll get used to it.” My companion broke through my thoughts, and I twisted to see the centerpiece of the fountain in the middle of the lobby, a massive marble replica of Emerson & Taylor’s circular logo.
    “Good to know.” We stopped behind the line at the security check-in, and I looked in her direction. “I’m”—I sucked in a little breath before I followed through with the lie—”Lizzie Connelly, by the way”
    “Stella Marchand.”
    When I first started escorting, I’d worked at an agency with a woman who had the same surname, and my smiled deepened as I finally placed her accent. “Trinidad?”
    Dark eyes widening in surprise, she nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Lived there until I was four, then we moved to Brooklyn. And then I came … here .” She paused when it was her turn to check in, setting the coffee on top of the C-shaped desk to dig around in her Burberry satchel. Producing a rectangular badge, she handed it to the uniformed security officer on duty. He was an older, balding man—and entirely different than the guard who was on shift when I was in the office two weeks ago. After he checked her ID, Stella smiled sweetly.
    “Carl, do me a favor and check her in as a guest. Lizzie Connelly.”
    Carl scanned his eyes over me, his scrutiny enough to make me dip my eyes to the floor. “I actually have an appointment with Dora in HR this morning,” I announced. “I’m Mrs. Emerson’s new assistant.” Before he could ask for it, I reached inside my own purse to withdraw my false ID, not missing the little noise Stella made in the back of her throat. Handing Carl my license, I shot her a questioning look to which she mouthed, “ Later .”
    After adding my name to his digital log, Carl returned my ID and stared pointedly at Stella. “You know I’m supposed to call HR down to escort her if—”
    She cut him off with a swift shake of her head. “Relax, I promise she’ll get there without making a fuss.” Plucking a coffee from one of the cup holders, she slid the offering in front of the guard with a wink. “Go on, take it. Three creams and sugars, just how you like it.”
    Releasing a sound of submission, he motioned for us to pass through. “You sure as hell know the way to my heart.”
    Stella threw her head back and laughed, then carefully scooped up the rest of the coffee. “See you later, Carl.”
    “Thanks,” I said, catching up beside her in the wide hall. There were three elevators on either side, and after looking up to examine their current positions, Stella opted for the cars on the right. “I’ve got to admit, I felt like I was back in sixth grade when I had to be escorted around when I met with Dora last week.”
    “You drink?”
    That was random. My shoulders crept up as we shuffled through the open elevator doors along with a few other people. “Occasionally. I’m guessing this has something to do with—”
    Her smile taut, her eyes darted to the other occupants of the elevator. “We’ll have to do drinks one night.” Stepping out onto the fourth floor, she jerked her head for me to follow her. “The stories I