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CHRIS: You’re the one most likely to say something stupid.
ME: Better to say it than do it.
He’d know. He was the one who cheated.
CHRIS: Okay then, we’re done here. Can you send me the address of his training centers and I’ll look for places nearby?
ME: Only one center. I’ll send the website.
CHRIS: Thanks, London. By lunch tomorrow would be great so I can find a suitable place.
ME: I’m not your secretary.
CHRIS: Whenever you’re ready.
ME: I’ll send when I get to work in the morning.
CHRIS: Thank you.
I put my phone down and sipped my wine. We had a somewhat tempestuous relationship which, given that my then-boss caught him with another woman at a restaurant, is to be expected.
Regardless of what he did to me, he was still Leo’s dad. I hated that he’d moved away for work, but he’d never been anything but a fantastic father. He paid his way and then some, never hesitating to buy him new soccer boots or anything else he wanted, and he always had a good time when they were together.
As long as they were alone and his girlfriend wasn’t there.
Shit.
Was his girlfriend coming with him? He was working, but there was every chance she’d muscle her way in.
I grabbed my phone again.
ME: Are you coming alone?
CHRIS: Yes. I haven’t seen Leo in person for three months. He’s more important than her, London.
ME: I was just asking. He’ll want to know.
CHRIS: I’ll call him and tell him when I’ve found a place.
ME: Okay. I’ll talk to you in the morning.
With that, I really did put my phone down.
As long as his girlfriend wasn’t coming.
That was about the only thing good about him living so far away, that Leo never had to see her. If he had his way, he never would again, but I had a feeling Chris was going to take it to the next level with her and it would be impossible for Leo to get out of it.
I blew out a long breath and picked up my glass, taking a big swig of the wine.
I was so looking forward to seeing Christopher again.
Not.
CHAPTER TWO – LONDON
RULE TWO: YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO TALK TO PEOPLE. IT’S KIND OF IMPORTANT.
“I reject that wholeheartedly.”
I sighed and looked at Ebony. “There’s nothing wrong with that ad spread. Tori is a great designer and you’ve already rejected three.”
Ebony clicked the ‘x’ and closed the image viewer. “It’s too busy.”
“Then you’re going to have to start telling the businesses to send their own advertisements in. You know who they’re all going to call? Tori.”
The editor stared at me. “Just because you worked for a big hot shot newspaper in a city doesn’t mean—”
“How’s the next issue coming?” Our boss and the paper’s owner, Mr. Chester, poked his head around the door of Ebony’s office. “Have we had the advertisements from Victoria yet?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered quickly. “And Ebony has rejected all four of her submissions for this issue.”
He rolled his eyes. “Ebony, I am not going to keep paying her for amendments to perfectly good ads. I want them emailed to me immediately, and I will make the final decision.”
She swallowed. “Yes, Mr. Chester.”
“Thank you.” He turned to me. “London, I’d like to speak with you if you have a moment.”
Uh-oh.
“Of course. I was about to head out for lunch so I’m not busy.”
“You can take it after.” He nodded for me to follow him, and I hurried out of Ebony’s office after the pot-bellied older man until we reached his office. “Come on in and shut the door.”
I did as I was asked, then took a seat opposite him at his ornately carved desk. “Is there a problem?”
“No, no problem. I just read the article you supplied for this week’s Sunday paper.”
I swallowed. “Is it bad?”
“No, it’s exceptionally well written. I don’t often read your articles, but this one has impressed me.” He slid a printed copy of the article over to me. “I have an arrangement with Sebastian Stone to do a special paper on his sports center. It’ll include interviews with him and his business partner, interviews with parents and students, write ups and articles, and it’ll be an entire paper.”
“That sounds incredible. My son attends and it’s a wonderful place.”
“My granddaughter is a part of his softball program. I agree.” He leaned forward on his desk, touching his fingertips together. “I’d like you to pull the entire paper together.”
I blinked at him.
What?
“The—the whole thing?”
Mr. Chester nodded slowly. “Yes. It will take you time to pull together, so you can start from this afternoon. Of course, Sydney will be on hand to take photos for you for all your interviews.”
“You want me to do the entire paper by myself?”
“I can assign you one of the interns to act as an assistant for scheduling and research purposes, but yes. That is what I’m offering you, London. You’ll naturally receive a bonus for the work you put in.”
