Page 1 of The Truths We Find

Chapter 1

Dani

“Ialready fucking hate him.”

The blunt comment from across the newsroom makes me laugh, as I look up from my computer to find my best friend Alexa Li making her way towards my cubicle.

“Would you keep your voice down? I can’t afford to be down a reporter if they fire you.”

Alexa rolls her eyes as she sits down on the corner of my desk. “They don’t have the balls to get rid of me. Not when I’m so close to getting them the interview of the year.”

“Wait… what⁠—”

I’m cut off by the sound of Alexa’s cell phone going off in her hand.

“Speaking of which.” She hits the answer button, raising it to her ear. “Alexa Li… This is her… Yes…”

I keep typing on my computer as she goes on with her conversation. I don’t know what she has planned, but it doesn’t stop me from figuring out what other stories we’re going to need for the day. I’m the executive producer for the afternoon shows at KSSD San Diego, and every morning, I find the top stories for the writers and producers I supervise to put into the newscasts. I have a great team, and trust them completely, but it’s my job to give the final say on what actually goes on the air.

“Yes!” Alexa yells, making me jump. “I got the exclusive!” She slams her phone onto the desk.

“What’s the story today?”

“You’re looking at the only reporter in town to interview City Councilman Robert Tate about his bribery accusations. I’ll have it for the afternoon shows.”

I’m pretty sure my jaw is on the floor. “How’d you pull that off? Tate’s been in a media blackout for months.”

“Girl, you know I have my ways,” she says with a hair flip.

She’s right. I don’t know how she does it, but Alexa always gets the best scoops. It could be because she looks like she should be on the cover of magazines, rather than writing the stories inside. Alexa is a unique combination of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Irish, of all things. Her bright green eyes and black hair, mixed with her strong personality, make it really hard for people to say no to her.

We couldn’t be more opposite. Alexa is tall and effortlessly slim, while I’m barely five-foot-two with curves that don’t always make me feel at ease. People tell me I should be proud of my figure, and I try, I really do. Some days I manage it, convincing myself that my fuller hips, larger chest, and smaller waist are beautiful. Other days, it’s just easier to hide behind jeans and a zip-up hoodie.

But while my confidence in my appearance wavers, my performance at work never does. When it comes to my job, I’m all in. Sharp, focused, and unapologetically good at what I do. That’s the side of me I trust completely… Even if others don’t.

“I’ll make sure to let the team knows at the story pitch meeting to put it at the top of the shows.” I keep typing on my computer, avoiding eye contact, because I know what conversation is coming next.

“Dani, are you going to be okay today? With the new news director starting?” Alexa’s tone is gentle, despite the hint of concern. I know she’s just trying to check in. Make sure I’m alright without adding more stress to an already stressful day.

“Mm-hmm,” I respond flatly.

“Dani…”

I keep my focus solely on my computer.

“Danielle Elizabeth Russell!”

So much for gentle.

I stop typing and drop my head. “You did not just whole-name me.”

“Well, you aren’t talking to me. I know you better than anyone else. I can tell you’re pissed off.”

I take a deep breath and turn to look at her. “You’re right. I’m furious, okay? Is that what you want to hear?” The floodgates are open now and I can’t stop ranting. My body is practically vibrating to get everything out. “I’ve given nearly ten years of my life to this station. I deserve that promotion. I deserve to be running this newsroom. Anytime they needed someone to fill in when someone was sick, even if it wasn’t my shift, I was here. When they needed someone to stay late or come in early, I was here. I always come with story ideas, I’m always willing to help reporters flesh out their stories so they’re even better, but no, none of that fucking matters. They decided to hire someone from New York City instead. Someone who doesn’t know our town, our station, or our shows, to run our entire damn newsroom, because that makes total fucking sense!”

I take another deep breath and try to come down from the adrenaline still buzzing underneath my skin. Before I realize what’s happening, Alexa reaches over and wraps me in a big hug. Normally, I don’t like physical contact when I’m stressed out, but I squeeze her back tight anyway. This isn’t the time to push away my best friend.

“After work, you and I are going for drinks,” she says as she pulls away. “I don’t want to hear any arguments. Deal?”