Chastity Rodney frowned from behind an expense report. He wasn’t irritated by the numbers. It was a standard weekly review… No. The problem was Peter. Something was different about him. Rodney watched Peter present the week’s schedule with his typical vigor. That wasn’t different. The ship was sailing smoothly, and yet something had changed. Things were running too smoothly, Rodney realized, baffled. But why? Rodney puckered his lips, pensively. “And I think the final copy, with design, can be printed and ready for review by Friday if we really push it. Iz, what do you think?” Peter glanced at Iz for confirmation. “Definitely doable. I’ll add it to my list.” Iz confirmed without looking up. “Great. Now, Jamilla, what has the distribution team said about the February release date?” Peter continued. Everything was fine. Rodney exhaled, deflated. There didn’t seem to be anything noticeably out of the ordinary, but it felt like something invisible was tickling the tip of his nose. Even if he couldn’t see it, he could feel the difference. But Rodney wasn’t a superstitious man. If there was something going on beyond a suspicion, it would reveal itself in due time, besides, he had bigger things to worry about. They were coming upon their anniversary party. Friday marked the eighth year of operation for Windsor & Feldman. Oh the risks they had taken, pooling together their savings and accumulated contacts, opening up an actual brick and mortar in this “digital age,” and yet somehow things had panned out. Four years in, they had managed to break even, and by year five they were turning a modest profit. It had been grueling at times, but Rodney was a patient man, at least when money was involved. He would count every quarter, dime, nickel, even the pennies when it came down to it. The holiday party would allow everyone to blow off a little steam. It had been a busy, prosperous season. Rodney wasn’t fond of the idea of pausing for frivolity, but Peter had convinced him of it, as he was known to do. “Not everyone’s a steady work horse like you,” Peter had cajoled. Rodney was a bit ruffled by the comment, unenthused by being compared to livestock, but there was some truth to it. Rodney didn’t like breaks or particularly care for socializing. He could keep his nose to the ground, for how long, even he didn’t know. For him, work was liberation. He knew the rules of the game, what his role was, and felt free within his constraints. Besides, who would want to spend after work hours with their coworkers? Regardless of his feelings, he had given the greenlight for the party, and had done his best to make it a respectable affair. Nice location, catering, an open tab, and free reign over the music choices. Everyone was permitted to bring a friend or significant other. Jade, Rodney’s wife, also did not enjoy being dragged out to socialize. They suited each other: two hermetic…