“We’re driving back to the city tonight. I won’t get home until late.”
“And when is the interview going to run?”
“Two weeks from Sunday. Right before Thanksgiving.”
Brooklyn was quiet for a moment and he wondered if she was thinking what he was thinking, that they’d agreed to let all of this play out to its natural conclusion, and that was still weeks away.
“I’m looking forward to seeing it. I can’t wait to watch your big moment on TV. Are you going to have a party? Have a bunch of people over?”
“God, no. Why would I do that?”
“Because it’s your big moment. Don’t you want to celebrate it with the people who mean the most to you?”
“My brother and his family are in Florida. And I hate the thought of inviting my friends over to celebrate something when I don’t know how it’s actually going to turn out.”
“Well, I’d like to come over and watch it. If you’re up for that.”
“That sounds perfect. Exactly my speed.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmm?”
“Yes, hmm. I’m not letting you off the hook so easy. Even if I’m the only person who comes over, we are still going to celebrate. A lot.”
A breathy laugh crossed his lips. “What does that mean?”
“I can’t commit to specifics. There might be cake. Balloons perhaps. Streamers. A singing telegram…”
“Brooklyn, no. Not that.”
“Okay. No singing. Except…”
“What?”
“I might have to treat you to my a capella version ofWhen Doves Cry.”
“Only if there’s a dance that goes along with it.”
“Challenge accepted. Luckily, I have two weeks to practice.” She laughed, and even over an imperfect cellphone connection, it was the best sound in the world.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to the city so I can see you.” He hoped he wasn’t overstepping, assuming, or anything else that was ultimately going to prove foolish. Yes, they’d had sex. But they weren’treallytogether.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you, too.”
He silently let out the breath he’d been holding. “In the meantime, I hope you’ll get to working on that dance.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The network moved fast.Two days after returning from Connecticut, Robin showed raw footage of the interview to Georgia. A day after that, Alec’s agent, Olivia, received an initial offer to move Alec into the news division.
“This is happening. After I finish raking them over the coals, of course.” Olivia was breathing hard and Alec could hear the mechanical whir of her treadmill and the steady thunk thunk thunk of footsteps. “The money is a joke. They’re low-balling you because they think they have all of the leverage. But with Thanksgiving and the parade coming, I’m thinking they’ll have a pretty potent reminder of how valuable you are. You’re a freaking institution at that network.”
Alec had never aspired to be an institution, but he was thankful that things were progressing. Finally, an exit strategy fromGood Day USA. “I trust you. Keep me posted. And thanks.”
“The minute they budge, you’ll be the first to know.”
That night, he’d had the chance to tell Brooklyn in person. On the surface, she was thrilled. She’d made hilarious squeaks and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. But despite the revelry, Alec had sensed an edge of disappointment from her.
