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face. “When you didn’t come home until late last night, I figured you were helping Roman out with this scandal. But Amy said you weren’t there.”
I shook my head. “Everything and everyone surrounding Bill is a big mess right now, and I would only make things more complicated. I told Roman I would resign.”
It was all I could muster to say because Hazel’s big brown eyes got bigger as she pushed her glasses up her nose, and a look of concern plagued her face.
“Resign? God, Paige, I’m so sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. The story was set to break today, but I couldn’t turn on the TV or look at the paper. All I knew was that I wasn’t named as one of the women involved. As of yet. But I had been in politics long enough to know one thing: The press could be vicious. Roman was right to say they’d be digging.
If Roman was able to get photos of me looking cozy with Bill, that meant it was possible for someone else to as well. Not to mention, I was Bill’s assistant, not intern. What were the chances I could miss the press’s radar? Likely not good. But they couldn’t publish anything if there was no source, and I sure as hell wouldn’t say anything. I just had to hope no one else would either.
“I can’t talk about it actually.”
The sex scandal was one thing, but the missing campaign funds were another. Call it a gag order or not, but until the investigation was closed and the money was found, I couldn’t discuss anything.
Hazel opened her mouth but I cut her off. “Everything will be fine. I’m going job hunting this week.”
She instantly smiled and her face lit up. She usually had a positive outlook on things. “With your skills and experience, you’ll be able to find something really quick.”
I forced a smile. I didn’t think it would be easy, but surely I could find a job. I lived in the capital of New York and I had a background in politics. There must be something out there for me.
The time for change was upon us. Not only for my career, but my life. Hazel was moving and I would have to as well. Our lease was up at the end of the month and there was no way I could afford this place on my own. Hazel and I had been stretching to pay rent since Amy moved out. Which left me without much of a nest egg. Nest egg was maybe a little too generous—I barely had enough to get through the next two weeks.
“Looks like we’re both moving out of here soon,” I said.
“I know this is short notice—”
“Haz, this is a great opportunity for you,” I said, and grabbed her hands. “You have to go. And I’ll find something.”
Maybe a little studio or one bedroom. Granted I needed a deposit and had no job, but I had to find something. Because the clock was ticking. And no way in hell was I leaving New York. This was where I’d built my life. This was where my two best friends were—and they were my only family. Indiana may have my mother, but it also had a shitty past.
No. Leaving New York was not an option.
“Amy and Roman are going to come help me pack up and move next week.”
I smiled. That gave me some time before I had to see Roman, and hopefully by then, I could find a job and be able to hold my head high.
My cell rang and I dug it out of my back pocket and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Is this Paige Levine?”
I frowned. “It is.”
“Can you comment on the fact that your former boss, Bill Vorse, had sexual relations—”
“No comment,” I said quickly. I meant to sound poised and confident in my few words, but heat climbed from the pit of my stomach to the base of my skull and left me feeling nauseated. I didn’t know who this was—likely a random reporter—but one thing was certain: I could avoid the news, television, and every other mode of technology, but the scandal was happening, and that radar I’d been trying to stay off of had caught my blip.
Hazel looked at me with concern in her eyes and I turned away from her.
The reporter continued. “What about the fact you no longer work for the governor’s office? Were you fired? Or one of the women in Vorse’s affairs?”
“No comment,” I said again, and hung up. Nothing good was going to come from this. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since I’d resigned, and the press was already on it.
When I felt Hazel’s hand on my shoulder in a supportive gesture, I used all the strength I had to put on my best brave face before turning around to face her. With a deep breath, I attempted to block out the rising sickness in my chest and fear in my bones.
But a low tremble still broke over my words. “So it begins.”
