I open my mouth, but she puts her hand up, stopping my protest. “I understand why you have shut down, given everything that’s happened, but I can’t keep paying you to run features on local hotels.”
My eyes drop to my lap. “I realize that.”
“I’m giving you one last chance, and I know … Rox … I know you can do this and get back to being the woman who helped revolutionize this magazine.”
I finally meet her gaze again. “And what does my last chance involve?”
“Sullivan is launching a new series for Uncharted TV calledUncharted Impact. It’s a contest where people nominate outstanding businesses, communities, or organizations that are in desperate need of financial assistance.”
“Sounds really intriguing.” I start to take notes on the notepad I brought with me. “How are the winners determined?”
“World Explorer is to select teams to embed into these places for the summer. These teams will immerse themselves in the culture, with the people, and live as they live. During that time, the team will act as documentary film makers. Sullivan not only wants to hear why these places are worthy of the grand prizes, he wants to see it. He wants to feel like he’s there.”
“I see.” I’m trying to keep my cool as a shiver of dread dances up the back of my spine.
Priti continues. “At the end of the summer, each team will return to NYC, and if they think their community is deserving, the head of the team will present a mini documentary and make a pitch to Sullivan. He has the final say, but many of usat Uncharted TV andWorld Explorerwill vote. Top three winners receive five, ten, or fifteen million dollars.”
I raise my eyebrows. “This is amazing, truly, but I’m still not sure what this has to do with my second chance.”
I shift in my chair as she pulls a manilla envelope out of her desk drawer and pushes it toward me.
“No,” I protest.
“Oh, yes. I want you, Leo, and Allie to leave in a few days.”
I slowly shake my head. “Priti, there has to be another?—”
“No, no, darling. This is it. You are going to face your fears and deliver the story of a lifetime. I can’t wait.” She pushes it further toward me. “Open it.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“You can, and I promise it’s going to be the best thing for you.”
My chest tightens.
“Open it.”
The sternness in her voice means I can stall no longer, and my fingers tremble as I rip open the envelope. Whatever destination Priti has picked for me, it will be my first trip away from New York since last year. As soon as I see where Priti wants to send me, a cold sweat breaks out on my forehead, and the room starts to spin.
It’s worse than I could have ever imagined.
Priti is sending me home.
restless
DUKE
The animals have been riledup for days. The weather hasn’t shifted from its sunny, calm state, and yet, the horses seem especially agitated. Even Jameson, my lazy English bulldog, is more active than usual.
Should’ve known they were sensing the storm before I did.
Another sleepless night has me yawning as I descend the stairs of my house to the kitchen, where I make my usual breakfast.
Cup of black coffee.
Eggs. Hash. Bacon.
I feed Jameson, who grunts into his slow-feeder bowl long after it’s empty, and then I head to the office where my stepfather Rusty sits at his desk as he does every morning, checking emails.
