"Nichole! What the actual-" Nichole was crying. Nichole never cried. She didn't cry as an intern when Lime yelled at her for getting her coffee order wrong. She didn't cry when Lime fired her the day after the Grammys when the media mocked her fashion sense after Nichole promised the gown (covered in limes) was a bold, envy-inducing choice. She didn't even cry when Lime rehired her the next day, but with a pay cut until she could trust her again with red carpet issues.

So Nichole's red eyes were a siren that something was very wrong.

"They were hacked. All the ticket holders. The VIPs, the pre-sale buyers, the general public... their credit card information was stolen."

Lime leaned back and closed her eyes. She inhaled and exhaled. She told herself she was a patient person, but really Nichole was so completely incompetent she didn't know how she could let this slide. Interrupting a private meeting? A medical appointment, in fact! To burst in with information that had nothing to do with her? It was unacceptable.

"Nichole-" she began with every ounce of patience she could muster. She wondered what Nichole's severance package was. Did she even have one?

"Literally millions of people are out thousands of dollars, Lime. It's all over the news and it's horrible."

"Good news, Nichole. It's not our problem. Sounds like a venue issue or an internet issue or- I don't know. But unless I hacked into the bank and siphoned money into my own account, which I obviously didn't? It has nothing to do with us."

Nichole sniffled. "Maybe you don't get it. Some people sold their cars to get tickets to your show. They took up second jobs so their daughters could catch a glimpse of you. They cancelled family vacations just to hear you live for one night. And they lost all that money. They won't get it back. It's heartbreaking."

Wow, Lime never knew Nichole to be such a bleeding heart. She rolled her eyes. "I'll tell you one more time, Nichole- it sounds like a them problem."

The publicist gave her a strange look. "Well. Yeah. But it's also a you problem. I mean, that money is gone. As in, the fans aren't getting it back, but you aren't getting it either."

Now Lime shot off the acupuncture table.

Nichole went on, "I think I have it figured out though. I think you just need to go on a mini-tour. Like half the dates you originally planned on, but do it for free. Obviously not everyone will be able to attend, but it's something at least. A good-will gesture. I think the venues will donate the space and-"

"You are out of your MIND if you think I'm performing for free!" Lime's head felt like it was going to explode. Her visions of private islands, charity awards, that glorious three comma club were slashed in a matter of minutes. Nichole looked like a cartoon with her jaw hanging open stupidly and her eyes practically popping out of her eye sockets. A cartoon bug. That's what she was. And Lime wanted to kill her. And she told her as much. "I'm going to KILL YOU!"

They both moved at the same time. Lime lunged for the needles Evida had left scattered on the table. Nichole was fumbling for something in her pocket. Lime ran at her, needle held high like a sword.

But Nichole had something stronger than a shield. Lime froze.

"Is that... your phone?"

Nichole smiled prettily. "Yup! And!" She glanced at the screen. "I caught your little outburst!"

Lime lowered her weapon. "I may not be great at coffee orders or red carpet dresses, but I know PR, Lime. And this would do you in for good." She twisted her phone as though it were doing a cheerful jig. Lime thought she may puke. "Don't worry. I'm not going to show anyone. Well. I'm not going to show anyone as long as you make a few changes around here. Reasonable changes really, Lime. First off, I'd like a severance package. I'm done working for you, obviously, but I'll need a nice parting gift. Secondly, I have here," she whipped a folded piece of paper from her back pocket, "a list of fair pay for your employees. They're grossly underpaid, Lime, and I know you can't live with that, humanitarian that you are." Lime growled. "Oh, be a nice little fruit! There's just one more stipulation. I thought I had a good idea about doing the mini-concert series, but since you didn't like that idea, we can move on to Plan B."

"And what's that?" Lime spit out.

"Reimbursement! The hack was real, I'm sorry to say, but luckily you have enough money to reimburse everyone who bought a ticket! Oh, don't look so sad, Lime! You're a talented girl, you'll make the money back in no time. One little album. One tiny tour. And you'll be right back to your current balance statement. And you know what? You'll be a hero. In fact, you should be thanking me." And then Lime really did lunge at Nichole with a needle, but Nichole was already out the door.

The next day, the headlines read: "Pretty Sweet For a Lime: musician reimburses fans for credit card breach." And "It's About Lime: Finally, an artist who has her fans best interests at heart." And "She's Having the Lime of Her Life: Musician says "giving back is fun!"

The following year, Lime debuted an album thatwon four Emmys and went triple platinum. Nichole read all about it from thebeach on her private island.