THE PERFECT ILLUSION

ood, separated from the Fortune 500 companies on the other side by a grove of covered trees and a million home-brewed coffee shops. Despite Sophia

ns why I like working at Westwood. It was not clearly characterized by annual gross income, like Santa Monica and Pasadena were; rather, it was neutral ground. A safe haven where the two sides might gath

timistic view, I march

d of hurry you're in,

re a drab slate-colored outfit with a smudged name tag and far too much facial hair. He was still clutching his keys, and given the

cross from him had

spite the fact that the maintenance man appeared to have simply retired from a life of UFC, his fingers twitched as if he was eager for a fight. Two silver rings,

the town c

oo

's eye quiver behind his

I was already parked when you pulled

wn to the ground. "Already parked, my ass!" You s

may take the spot in five minutes. "I'

ked. "I'll block your automobile in. I'll make you late to work. What

g space? Seriously? I needed to step in. A braw

are practitioner, I was concerned that the throbbing vein on the side of his neck

eant that I was late for work. My dull pacifist side kicked in, and before

there! "C

arms to either of their chests, but both men took a large step back after one look at me. A surge of gratific

This is when you come

usness of an experienced detective. "N

o face his opponent. The maintenance man-Jason, I no

cut me off with his damn

ng breath. "My driver. Listen, I'd want to discuss t

ssive step forward. "I swear, you wealt

nd I was concerned that once the fun was finished, they would str

s buddy. "Nothing says, 'I'm a prick' li

reaction next to me,

e a riot erupted. "But let me tell you what, why don't we get in

measure and watched as his pi

e murmured as he marc

scores! First, no dark circles,

a slight bow, and a man let out a long w

n exclaimed. "That

rward," anoth

" someone

e-parked, was he? Oh well. At the very least, I stopped the battle. I was practically

get an

precise hue of the ocean, but not the crayon blue waters found on overcrowded beaches in Southern California. No, it was one of those icy oceans with lar

by how hot he was, and I couldn't speak. "I'm sorry." I sh

king about the

nclined his head to one side. "

the car, peering at the man with tense anticipation. Cuffl

late for a highly important meeting. "You said it yourself." My gaze shift

in solidarity, and I was only a few moments away from reaching the counter. Kelly, my favorite barista,

Sharon-t

pop star's new Thanksgiving album. "Yep. Oh, and I'll get that guy

got

afé and take his place at the back of the line. My cheeks flushed slightly, and I kept my gaze forward. These spectacula

Kelly asked when she returned, carrying

"I just haven't been

ed me back my change. "

r to commiserate. "I don't know what's going on,

ient voice cried out from the line

tion. Just like that, my adoring crowd had

with exaggerated importance to

ld high. I could feel the rich guy staring at me as I swept past him out the door, but I kept my eyes on th