“We both let our emotions get the better of us this morning.”

His voice had the warm, brotherly tone he used on clients who were about to walk.

I set my coffee in the cup holder and rubbed my thumb over the crystal of my watch.

“I’m listening,” I said.

“I have a recommendation letter half drafted already.

Senior strategist at any shop in town.

You sign the severance, you stay far away from the office today, and I’ll make sure it’s glowing.”

A delivery van pulled into the lot and stopped with its nose toward the diner.