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“They want what?” I ask.
“The network wants eight weather hubs across the country. Then when there’s a weather event they’ll call on one of the hubs to take lead and cover it for all the stations in the local area as well as nationally.” He slaps the report on my desk. “It’s a great opportunity. I’d like you to write up our submission.”
I look at the thickness of the sheaf in front of me and try to not sigh. “I’m not sure I’ll have time,” I tell him. “I’m already covering two jobs.”And sometimes three when you can’t be bothered to call off your golf games.
He says nothing, just stands there. I keep my gaze stubbornly on the papers because I don’t want to look him in the eye.
Ugh, I hate him.
Finally, he clears his throat. “I’m trying to help us all here. You know how easy it would be for the station to buy in the weather forecast. If we get awarded the regional hub contract we’ll have additional funding. Which means we can have extra staff. So please get this done.” He lifts a brow.
I grudgingly nod. Part of me knows he’s right. We have to prove we’re adding value to the station. And having regional hubs makes great sense. No point in every station in the local area sending a meteorologist out to report on a tornado or hurricane when one can do it for everybody.
And as I read the report I find myself getting excited. This is a real chance for change in the department. And if we get the contract I’ll be the person who won it for us. Michael won’t be able to hide that. It might even mean a promotion.
But it also means I’ll have to work on it in the evenings, because my days are already overly full with running forecasts, updating the website, and appearing on air. But maybe that’s a good thing because I won’t have time to brood about my conversation with Liam yesterday.
Or about how he made me feel when he touched me all over.
There’s a part of me that wants to feel that again, if only for one night. He made me feel safe and yet in complete danger. It’s an intoxicating combination.
But my heart tells me that one night would only make me feel worse. Because once he was gone I’d feel more alone than I’ve ever felt. And I’m old enough to know that sometimes the things you want are bad for you.
It doesn’t mean I didn’t touch myself last night as I thought about him. Or that I keep checking my phone to see if he’s replied to my forecast yet.
He hasn’t, by the way.
I’d brood on it more, but the morning runs away with me. By the time I’ve updated the website with current forecasts, I have to run for the lunchtime news, getting a dirty look from the producer because I’ve just managed to put my mic pack on before the intro music begins.
And once I finished that, I had to stay behind to record some spots for the website and our social media accounts. So by the time I get back to the office I’m desperate for lunch, or at least a coffee to keep me going.
But there’s a crowd of people around my desk.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Did you order lunch?” Lisa asks. She doesn’t even work in this office, the sports team has a room a few doors down the hallway. It’s full of merchandise for the local teams and when you walk in there you take your life in your hands because the odds are good you’ll get hit in the head by a flying baseball or basketball or occasionally a hockey puck.
“No, are you guys planning to order some?” I ask. It’s not often we all pool together and get lunch delivered, but maybe it’s somebody’s birthday and I’ve forgotten.
“I don’t think we need to,” Ray, an ex-baseball player, says.Is there anybody in the sports office or are they all here?“I was hoping you might plan on sharing.”
He steps back and that’s when I see the platters covering my desk. There are five of them, all silver with those domed lids, though I notice a couple of them are askew and I suspect the sports team of looking to see what’s inside.
They’re literally ruled by their stomachs.
“I didn’t order this,” I say, frowning because it looks expensive. And then I see the napkins withThe Ambassador Hotelemblazoned in gold lettering against a backdrop of white and a cold wave of fear washes over me.
“Did somebody order this on the station’s account?” I ask. I know how much a buffet like this from the Ambassador costs. We only order from them when we have important people visiting. And I know for a fact that I’ll end up in trouble if my name is against this order.
Of course my thoughts immediately turn to Michael. Is he trying to get me in trouble with the station bosses?
“Who knows, but it’s here so we might as well dig in,” Ray says, lifting a dome up. Crushed ice covers the platter, and nestled between the shards is the most expensive array of shellfish you’d ever want to see.
“Fuck. I love lobster,” Lisa breathes.
“Don’t touch anything,” I tell them, batting Ray’s hand away. “There’s been a mistake.”
He looks like he’s on the verge of tears.
