"That's ridiculous!" Libby exclaimed, indignation rising on her sister's behalf. "I've never met two more professional people in my life. At no point have you and Chase been anythingbut completely appropriate. Everyone on the team has been absolutely delighted watching you two together."
Jane looked up, surprised by Libby's vehemence. "You really think Liam was involved? Liam wouldn't do that. Chase is his friend, and he's always been so supportive of the team."
"The language, the timing," Libby said. "The fact that I can practically hear Liam's words coming out of Chase's mouth."
Jane was quiet for a moment, processing this. Then she straightened slightly, a flicker of dignity appearing through her hurt. "You know what? It doesn't really matter if Liam was involved or not. If Chase can be so easily swayed by someone else's opinion, then he's not the man I thought he was." She smoothed her hair back with a trembling hand. "And I deserve better than that."
Libby squeezed her sister's arm, proud of her resilience even as her own anger at Liam continued to build. "You absolutely do."
"But I still don't understand why," Jane admitted softly. "I'm a nobody. And it was months before Chase ever pursued me. What possible conflict could there be?"
"I don't know," Libby said, her jaw set with determination. "But I'm going to find out."
Jane looked alarmed. "Lib, please don't make this into something bigger." Her expression was utterly miserable even as she tried to minimize it. "Chase and I barely knew each other, really. It probably would've fizzled out in time anyway."
"I'm not going to cause a scene," Libby promised, though the fire in her chest suggested otherwise. "But this isn't right, Jane. No one gets to make decisions about your relationship except you and Chase."
"I should get going," Jane said, straightening with visible effort. "I've had enough of this celebration."
"Let me at least get you a car?—"
"Already ordered one." Jane showed her phone screen. "Two minutes out."
They walked back through the bar to wait outside. The car arrived quickly, and after ensuring Jane was safely on her way home, Libby returned to the celebration with a single-minded purpose. She scanned the room for Liam, a mixture of confusion and indignation fueling her search. It was one thing for him to maintain his careful boundaries with her, but Jane? Jane was the kindest, most pure-hearted person Libby knew. The thought that Liam would interfere in her sister's happiness made Libby's blood boil.
"Libby! Just the woman I was looking for."
Calvin Middleton's voice cut through her thoughts like nails on a chalkboard. He materialized beside her, drink in hand, the atmosphere suddenly thick with expensive cologne and the unmistakable scent of a man who considered his opinions a gift to everyone in earshot.
"Calvin?" she said, momentarily distracted from her mission. "What are you doing here? How did you even—" She shook her head. "Never mind. I'm actually in the middle of?—"
"This will only take a moment," Middleton assured her, steering her toward a relatively quiet corner with a proprietary hand on her elbow that she immediately shook off. "I've just gotten off the phone with my executive producer. The network is officially extending an offer for you to co-host my new segment. The one we discussed at dinner."
"What? Calvin, no, I couldn't possibly—wait, what?" Libby said, still scanning the room for Liam.
"'Inside Edge with Middleton and Bennet,'" he pressed on, as if she hadn't spoken. "Tuesday and Thursday evenings, plus playoff specials. The contract includes exclusivity, of course, which means you'd need to leave the Herald, but the compensation is... substantial."
Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"
"Of course you need time to process," he interrupted smoothly. "It's quite the career leap. But with your new... connections," his eyes flicked meaningfully toward the D'Arcy family group across the room, "and my established platform, we could become the premier hockey commentary team in New England."
Fury lit her bloodstream like fire to a trail of dynamite. "My journalism stands on its own merit," she said stiffly. "Any decision I make about my career will be based on professional considerations, not personal connections."
Middleton smiled indulgently. "Of course, of course. Your analysis pieces are quite... detailed. But television requires a different approach. More accessible, less technical. With my guidance, you could develop a style that appeals to the average viewer while still showcasing your hockey knowledge."
"My current style seems to be working fine for ESPN," Libby pointed out.
Something flickered across Middleton's expression before he recovered. "Ah yes, the interview. Well, Bristol is quite a commute from Boston, isn't it?" He lowered his voice with performative discretion. "Though I suppose the distance might be a blessing in disguise given the... situation. I understand how awkward it must be, with Anne Davenport expected in town for the Montreal games."
Libby kept her expression neutral despite her irritation at hearing that name again.
"Ah, I see you recognize the name," Middleton said with obvious satisfaction. "He visited her in Paris this summer, you know." He paused, savoring the moment. "Oh, you didn't know? My apologies. I assumed since you two are so... close."
The information hit like ice water, but Libby refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.
"Between us," Middleton continued, leaning closer conspiratorially, "I hear Kate has some concerns about Liam's current... romantic situation. Having you established with a legitimate broadcasting position rather than just newspaper coverage would certainly improve the optics, should things not work out."
Before Libby could formulate a response that wouldn't involve publicly embarrassing both of them, she spotted Liam exiting the main room toward what appeared to be a service hallway.
