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The air left her lungs in a rush and she gaped at him. “What? How is that possible? They can’t just… Can’t we at least finish the season?”
John held up his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m not happy about it either. But they say we’re done so… we’re done. Don’t bother coming in tomorrow unless it’s to gather your stuff and take it to the morning show so it’ll be there when you start.”
She blinked at him, certain she’d misheard him. “I’m sorry, what?”
John’s ruddy face broke out in a grin and he chuckled. “Congratulations. You got the fill-in position. Natalie officially goes on maternity leave next week, which means you get a week to make getting up before dawn a habit. It’s been wonderful working with you. Congratulations.”
John held out his hand and she shook it, a huff of a laugh leaving her chest before she stepped toward him and gave him a quick hug. Maybe she’d lost the gig she presented daily, but the morning host position would give her time to secure something else. “Thank you. It’s been wonderful working with you. I’ve learned so much.”
“Knock ’em dead, kid. And enjoy your week off.”
A week off? What would she do with a whole week off?
She didn’t remember having a week off since moving to the city ten years ago. After all, when you were trying to climb the network’s ladder, time off didn’t exist. She’d worked her job, filled in on others, volunteered, whatever it took, going above and beyond in order to move up the ranks. Her reputation as being reliable and there no matter what had given her ins with the network she didn’t take for granted.
But a week… Maybe she and Ted could get away for a few days?
“Ms. Devon? Everything okay?” Tony asked.
A laugh rumbled out of her. “Yeah, it is. Surprisingly so. I just lost and landed a great position, and today is my anniversary.”
“Well, now. Let’s get you home so you can celebrate,” Tony said.
From inside the car, Devon watched John’s return to the building, her stomach fluttering with excitement.
The ride to her tiny apartment took a ridiculous amount of time considering the distance. She stared out the window at the crowded streets unseeing because her mind raced with ideas and plans and things to be done.
She had a feeling Ted was going to broach the subject of her moving in with him again tonight, but she’d promised herself from a very young age she would always have a place to go home to unless there was a wedding ring on her finger. Breakups happened. She’d watched it happen too many times to otherwise smart women who found themselves homeless and surfing friends’ couches until they made other arrangements. She wouldn’t be one of them.
They arrived at her building, and she flashed a smile at the doorman when he opened the car door.
“Good evening, ma’am. Mr. George arrived thirty minutes ago and is waiting upstairs.”
“Thank you.”
Devon said goodbye to Tony and made her way inside the building. The beautiful lobby was decorated in black-and-white checkerboard tile polished to a high gleam. The seating area on the right looked elegant yet sturdy, the red leather couch, matching chairs, and dark wood coffee table drawing the eye.
Devon bypassed the seating, greeted the ever-present and familiar security guard behind his shiny wooden desk, and punched the elevator button. The large doors opened in an instant.
The move to this building had taken place several years ago when she’d finally received a promotion, including a much-needed raise that allowed her to get her own place. While small, the apartment provided security and was more convenient to the network’s location.
Once the elevator was in motion, she glanced at her reflection in the polished metal and sighed. Even that distorted image looked tired, but when she’d burned the candle at both ends for the last ten years, how could she not?
Maybe a vacation to somewhere tropical was just what she needed to celebrate? Could she convince Ted to leave his office for a few days and go?
Ratings for What’s Hot had been down for a while. Those in the know didn’t watch the show to find out the latest clubs or restaurants, plays. No, social media filled them in.
The generations that watched were the “oldies” and more apt to be retiring and moving out of the bustling city than clubbing the night away.
With any luck, maybe the host she temporarily replaced on the morning show would decide not to come back to work? Want to spend more time with her newborn?
The elevator doors opened, and she made her way down the hall, staring at the patterned carpet beneath her feet. The door was unlocked and she entered with a chipper hello.
She glanced around but didn’t see him. “Ted? I have news!”
“Coming,” he called.
Seconds later, Theodore Carlton George III appeared from the bathroom still straightening his tie. Ted smiled as he crossed the room and kissed her on her cheek.
