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“The kind who knows her audience. Spill.”
A few beats of silence filled the line.
“It’s worse than I thought,” he said.
“I— I’m not sure I can stay at HypeKey. I don’t think I can keep doing this job.”
“And?”
“What do you mean and? That’s a big freaking deal, Ward. That’s what I need to talk about.”
“Oh, honey, that is not what you need to talk about. That’s a symptom. You need to talk about the crux.”
“I’m starting to feel kind of grossed out about our jobs. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but celebrities are people too. And they deserve a little privacy. Plus, everyone in this town has been so welcoming. It doesn’t feel right to betray their trust.”
“Uh-huh. Are you sure this is about everyone in the town and not one specific someone? Maybe that hunk of man-meat you’re falling for?”
“Who said I’m falling for him?”
“Sadie. You went radio silent on me for almost an entire week and now you’re all twisted in knots about your article and this town? You’ve never cared about the people in any of these towns before. Is my little tumbleweed putting down some roots?”
“What? No. That metaphor doesn’t even make any sense.”
“That picture you posted this morning? I’ve known you for years and I’ve never seen you smile like that before. This guy and this town—they are under your skin.”
Ward and I constantly posted to the HypeKey Instagram account, so I never bothered keeping up with my personal account. I only had seven followers: Ward, my parents, and a few random cousins. But Drew had let me snap a picture of the two of us this morning before the committee meeting started. I jokingly told him we should document his rise to power as Valor King, but I just desperately wanted a picture of the two of us together.
I sighed. “Okay. Yes, they are under my skin, but there’s no long-term future for me here. He’s ready to be rid of me.”
“You dropped the E, honey. That man looked ready to ride you, not be rid of you.”
“He did that in the town hall bathroom before he ran into his ex and got a dose of what he was missing out on and now he’s done with me, okay?” I snapped back.
Ward was quiet for a second. “Did he say that?”
“Not yet. But he’s working up the nerve. I can tell.” I paced back and forth across the room. “I need a few photos once the first day of the festival is in full swing and then I’ll have enough to finish up that article. And I already sent Eirin drafts of my other two articles.” Never mind the fact that those were both going to need to be completely rewritten if I wanted to stay in her good graces until I had a new gig lined up. I stopped pacing and drummed my fingertips on the top of the dresser, staring at my reflection while feeling as if I was being torn in two.
“You’re not going to stay through the whole festival?”
“Looks like the welcome mat is getting rolled back up before then.”
Ward made a thoughtful noise. “We’ll see. He might just be working himself up to a major declaration.”
“Yeah, get lost.” I let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t want to think about it anymore.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What’s going on at home?”
“Ugh, fine. Be that way. But I expect a call when he professes his undying love for you so I can say I told you so.”
“Don’t hold your breath.” I ran my hands through my hair. “Now quit trying to avoid telling me about whatever is going on there.”
He gasped with feigned shock. “When have I ever held out on you?”
“All the time. You knew it was Brenda stealing other people’s yogurt from the office fridge for like a month before you told me.”
He lowered his voice. “All right, gimme a second.” Rustling noises came across the line, like he was walking around. Then a muffled flush.
“Are you in the men’s room right now? Gross.”
“I don’t want to be overheard, and James from accounting is the only other man in the office today.” HypeKey had a predominantly female staff.
