XIX

I didn’t even hear the alarm. I must’ve hit snooze in my sleep—or maybe I didn’t set it at all. All I knew was that I woke up in a panic, sunlight streaming through the curtains way too boldly for how early it should’ve been.

I blinked, disoriented. My mouth felt like I’d been chewing cotton. My phone was buried somewhere under the covers. When I finally checked the time, I damn near screamed.

8:49 AM.

I had eleven minutes to be at my desk. Eleven. And I hadn’t even brushed my teeth.

The next few moments were a blur of flailing limbs, muttered curses, and a very reckless outfit choice that didn’t match but passed the decency test. I grabbed my bag, skipped breakfast, and flew out the door like a bat out of hell, hoping to God traffic would be kind.

It wasn’t.

By the time I got t……