“What kind of difference are we talking about? Your team still acting like jerks toward you?” Vance narrowed his eyes, the edge in his voice softening into curiosity.

The irritation he’d felt a moment ago was fading, replaced by a gnawing sense of wonder. Thinking back, Ashley had been complaining more often about how rough things were at work.

Normally, she powered through everything without making a big deal of it. But ever since Mr. Adam kept slipping into their conversations, ...