Jennifer Bradley stared at the glowing screen of her computer, fingers on keys, patiently waiting.

The caffeine rush from her triple mocha latte inspired her to pen the only thing she could think of this early in the morning—the title: Man of the Year.

She hit her delete button.

No. It should read: CEO of the Year.

She made the change, downed the rest of her coffee as quickly as she could and walked down the hall to Tonya Greene’s office and knocked on the door.

“Good morning,” Tonya said, never looking up. She had a knack for making everyone feel unimportant. “What’s up?”

“Hi. I had a question.”

“Had?”

Jennifer rolled her eyes, although Tonya didn’t seem to notice. “Have.”

“Okay, shoot.” Tonya continued reviewing her email.

“Who did we pick for man…I mean CEO of the year this time?”

“Brock Martineau.”

Jennifer cringed. “Why him?”

Tonya stopped typing, took off her reading glasses and looked up for the first time. “Why not him? The man single-handedly built an empire destined to change the world in the next few years, maybe sooner.”

“I know, but—”

Tonya shrugged. “Well, let’s see…for starters he’s environmentally friendly, employs over a thousand workers in the Dallas/Fort Worth market, not to mention he’s mentioned in nearly every newspaper in town at least once a week, plus, he’s unbelievably easy on the eyes. Don’t you think he deserves it?”

“I don’t care what he looks like. I don’t like the guy. I don’t know why. He gives me the creeps. He looks like an ego maniac to me. I’ve seen him in the papers and I don’t like him at all.”

“Wait a minute. You said you don’t care what he looks like, how is it he looks like an ego maniac, huh? Besides, it’s his business acumen I’m interested in covering, which should make him more than worth the prize.”

“I’m offering you my opinion,” Jennifer said.

“It’s appreciated, but sorry, kid. Brock Martineau is our CEO of the Year. Don’t like it? Try putting in your two cents next time.”

“But I did.”

Tonya rolled her eyes. “You weren’t even in town, remember? Miss Princess Cruise was out sailing the high seas again, or don’t you remember?”

“Yeah, but two of those days were over the weekend.”

“But still…get your facts straight, Jennifer. You’ve got a reputation to uphold here,” Tonya laughed heartily.

“Very funny. I know you want me at your beck and call around the clock, but all I have to say in my defense is if I had been here I would have picked somebody else for CEO of the Year. There are plenty of other worthy executives in town.”

“Your vote is duly noted, and too late. Thank you for your participation,” Tonya said, looking back at her screen.

“Okay. Fine. Have it your way. Brock Martineau it is.”

“Thank you. I believe I will.”

Jennifer sighed, “It’s not my decision anyway. It’s yours, I suppose.”

“Not mine alone. The advisory board tells us who they want and I listen to them and deliver.” Tonya laughed, “It’s why I get paid the big bucks around here.”

“Yeah…the big bucks, right,” Jennifer countered. “I only hope I can get there myself one day.”

“Keep it up and you will,” Tonya said.

Recalling her writers block and knowing her lack of enthusiasm for the project may cause it to linger, Jennifer asked, “Are you sure you want me to write it? Carrie might be able to…”

“Of course, Jennifer. You’re the best I’ve got.”

“The best at what, exactly?”

Tonya laughed. “No, dear, I’m not trying to whore you out to the man, I want you to write about him, okay? You just so happen to be our most talented asset in the editorial department. I’ve received several compliments on your other attributes as well, and let’s face it, if you’ve got it, I always say flaunt it.”

“I didn’t mean it…”

“Of course you did, Jen, now get to it, will you?” Tonya said.

“You’re one of a kind, Tonya.”

“Thanks for noticing. Back at ya.”

“Why not find someone besides me?”

“Who would you want me to send?” The smile melted from Tonya’s face and turned into an annoyed look Jennifer easily recognized.

“How about Carrie?”