Chapter 271

• I smooth my hands down my pencil skirt and gray tailored jacket before touching up my dark lipstick in the hall mirror with a look of resignation. My eyes scan and check that my tawny hair is neat and sleek in its high bun, and I scrutinize my reflection again to ensure it’s precise. Sighing again, I take a steadying breath, trying to ready myself, pushing down the gnawing ache of anxiety and nerves deep inside my gut.
• I’ll do.
• I look as good as I know I’m capable of, and I’m mildly satisfied with what I see before me: a cool, efficient image of cold poise and gray tailoring that exudes authority, with no hint of the turmoil of emotion inside me. I narrow my eyes to look for flaws in my immaculate armor, stray hairs, specks of dust, or creased fabric and find none.