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I shrugged. “Maybe, but you have a point. I need this land acquisition today to be a success, and I need the people of South Padre to be on board with it. So, I’ll grant you one interview tonight. Only one, though.”
“Why don’t we go ahead now with the interview?” She reached into her bag and withdrew a pad of paper. “I can file my story and then we can have a drink.”
I took the pad from her. Her eyes turned frantic. “These are the conditions. One interview after we have some drinks with my family. Take it or leave it.”
I knew she wouldn’t walk away from this. I had never granted an exclusive interview. She knew she was sitting on the kind of scoop that could launch her career.
She paused. “I just need to make a phone call.”
“I’ll see you at the table.”
I walked toward the patio, knowing I had broken my number one rule.
6
Sydney
It was manipulative and conniving, but I was out of options. I didn’t expect him to actually fall for it. I pushed down the guilt growing in my stomach. This wasn’t the kind of reporter I wanted to be, but I couldn’t afford to be an out of work journalist either. I was surprised when the tears surfaced. I blamed the heat and the fear of losing my job.
I dialed the after-hours number at the office. Alice was still there. She answered after a few rings.
“Alice Compton speaking.”
“Hey, it’s Sydney.”
“You’re late. Over an hour past deadline. I’m afraid you didn’t take our earlier conversation very seriously.”
“Wait, Alice I have an exclusive.” I smiled at the bartender. He was busy polishing pilsners, but I thought he had an ear extended my direction.
“What kind of exclusive? You already missed the scoop on the land sale. Two other sites beat us to it.”
“Mason Lachlan has agreed to an interview.” I held my breath. This was the only card I had to play to keep my job.
“He’s going to let you interview him?” She laughed. “I don’t know if I can believe that. He never does interviews. Believe me. We’ve tried.”
“It’s true. I’m with him right now and we’re getting ready to start the interview.” She didn’t need the exact timeline. She also didn’t need to know he had invited me for drinks. I had entered a murky gray area where my journalistic ethics were concerned.
“Holy shit. This is big, Sydney. How did you manage that?”
I breathed for the first time realizing she wasn’t going to fire me tonight. “I’ve been working on it all day. That’s why I missed the first deadline.”
“I’m impressed you could gain access to him.”
“Thanks. I’m going to work on the story tonight, and I’ll have it submitted in the morning. First thing. I promise.”
“I expect to see it in my inbox before I have my first cup of coffee,” she warned.
“Not a problem. I won’t sleep tonight until I have the full story.”
“That’s what I need to hear. Good luck.”
I turned my ringer to vibrate and shoved my phone into my bag. I didn’t want any distractions. I couldn’t let anything ruin this chance.
I walked out onto the patio with a smile plastered on my face.
Mason was sitting with Grey, who I had met earlier, and the girl he had mentioned.
“There she is.” He stood. “Sydney Paige, meet Eden and you’ve already introduced yourself to Grey.” I heard his admonishing tone.
