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“We’ve all heard the rumors about corporate wanting to sell off the TV stations they acquired, so I just figured they’re sending temps out to report back to them. You know, so they can justify getting rid of us. Not that that would be a bad thing. Corporate doesn’t seem to know anything about managing news stations, but getting shuffled around to a different parent company usually never ends well.”
“What’s wrong with the company that owns—”
The tap of a car horn interrupted Hannah, and they both turned to the bright red Mercedes sports car sitting next to them. The passenger side, limo-tinted window powered down, and Madison leaned over. “Last one there buys the first pitcher.” As soon as the light turned green, the Mercedes shot out of the intersection. It was a block down the street before Payson’s car cleared the crosswalk.
Payson glanced at Hannah. “Guess I’m buying the first round.”
“It appears so,” she said as Madison’s taillights faded into the darkness, and she wondered once again if there was a misreadof the night sky. She had always considered herself somewhat intuitive—easily reading the flow of the air, movement of the seas, and whispers of the trees—but for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why the universe had paired those two. Payson was beautiful, kind, and had a gentleness that…
“Oh my God, stop it,” she quietly scolded herself. She needed to rein in her personal feelings and accept that there was a master plan in place that went beyond her understanding. Stick to the mission, she reminded herself as she turned to Payson. “Tell me what you think about Madison?”
“Not much to tell.” Payson shrugged. “She was a morning reporter in Chicago with aspirations to be an anchor. So when Jason thought our one female evening anchor, who had been with the station for over thirteen years, was aging out, he replaced her with Madison. It’s sexist because the male anchors in this business seem to have no problem growing old on air, but the women are time limited. But from a strictly ratings perspective, he was right. Our ratings have gone up since he hired her, so I guess there’s that.”
“What I meant was…are you attracted to her?”
“Wow, don’t you think that question’s a bit personal?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry, but I’m pretty sure I felt something between you two today. I guess it’s just the matchmaker in me noticing two people who would make a great couple.” She felt like puking on her words, but this was no time for her honest opinion. She and Payson came from two different worlds, and right now, she really wanted to go home to hers.
“Well, it’s funny you mentioned that. Because I, uh…” Payson blushed as she trailed off. “I kinda felt the same thing.”
“See? I told you.”
“Yeah, I mean, I really didn’t think I was even on her radar. People like Madison could have anyone.”
“Why do you say it like that? In such a dismissive way?” Hannah felt stunned. “I think you’re a beautiful and kind person. Where I come from, you could have your pick of lovers.”
Payson chuckled. “Wow, you’re just right out there with your comments, aren’t you?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so forward, but remember, I am in the business of—”
“Matchmaking. Yep, got it.” She paused for a moment, then glanced over. “So, um…I wasn’t totally crazy thinking there really was a certain vibe coming from Madison?”
“I think,” she said through a forced smile, “there’s something between you two that may be worth exploring.”
“Oh, you do, do you?”
“Well, yeah, I mean, are you saying you’re not into her?”
“Are you kidding me? She’s gorgeous. Who wouldn’t be attracted to her?”
Me, for one, Hannah thought. Madison did not possess any qualities she found endearing or remotely attractive. “That’s not what I asked.”
Payson remained silent as she pulled into Gimbauld’s lot and parked.
“I’m just saying,” Hannah continued as they crossed the parking lot and headed toward the entrance. “There’s something between you two. I felt it.” From the corner of her eye, she could tell Payson was turning the information over in her head.
“Well,” Payson said as she opened the door for them. “I guess that’s yet to be seen.”
As soon as Hannah stepped into the casino, she cringed. The flashing lights, the dinging bells, and the lingering smell of stale cigarette smoke, might be stimulating to mortals, but it was completely overwhelming her senses.
“You okay?”
Hannah shook her head. “Why is everything so loud?” Granted, things could get a little rowdy at Brea’s from time to time but nothing compared to the level of volume she was experiencing. It was as though the casino went to extremes to tune out the beautiful sound of silence.
“I really never noticed,” Payson said in an over-amplified voice.
As they meandered through the casino, Hannah focused on the faces of the mortals. She could sense the desperation that lingered in the air and heard more of them whisper prayers to machines and tables than they probably did in any worship setting. As though the roll of the dice, turn of a card, or spin of a slot would somehow make all their troubles disappear.
