“What’s that, Montgomery?”
“The go-ahead to work on another story. After Jaden’s feature is complete, of course.”
After a beat, he asked, “What, did you get wind of some epic gossip out there?”
The reminder of where I’d been stuck for years made me grit my teeth. “No. Something serious.”
“Do tell.”
“I’ve got a lead on a huge story. I’m talking drugs, coercion, crappy record contracts… You name it. It involves some big names. I think I can get firsthand accounts, too.”
“Ava…”
“If I get the chance and time to dig deeper?—”
“Ava, no.”
I blinked. “But?—”
“No.”
I let out a breath. “Any particular reason?”
“For one, I sent you out there to do Jaden’s feature. Do you mean to tell me you’ve been chasing something else?”
“No.”I winced at the lie. “I’ve been focused on the feature—one hundred percent.” I looked skyward, hoping not to get struck by lightning for that lie. “That’s why I’m asking for more time in LA.”
Allan sighed, and my heart dropped. I could practically hear another big fatnoin that breath. “Look, you don’t do that type of thing.”
“But I can. Exposés are?—”
“If you think it’s that big, bring me everything you have, and we can discuss it. Walt has more experience with that kind of thing…”
He kept talking, but I’d stopped listening. Everything I’d done to get this far, and he wanted me to hand this over to Walt?
“Montgomery, are you still there?”
I blinked out of my disappointed haze. “Yes. You know what? Maybe I don’t have anything worth pursuing after all. I might have jumped the gun.”
“Okay…”
“Thanks, Allan.” I hung up before I went off on him for daring to suggest I hand over the information I’d worked hard for to his golden reporter. I stared at the phone, my chest tight. The rejection hit hard. Allan could have at least heard me out before saying no or bringing up Walt.
Maybe I was reaching too high. Maybe I wasn’t good enough.
My shoulders slumped as I let the disappointment settle in. After that, I stood up, forced a smile, and walked to Lincoln’s room. I wouldn’t ruin the rest of this vacation. Not for Lincoln or his friends. Surely, I could keep myself above the surface of misery until we left.
The scent of rum cocktails and the sound of laughter filled the air. The moon, stars, and tiki torches illuminated the beach where we’d gathered for drinks and laughs. Lincoln and his friends were an amusing bunch. I hadn’t laughed this much with a group of peers in… ever. I heard stories about their college days and hilarious incidents that happened at locations all over the world.
“Goodness,” I said after the laughter from the last story died down. It involved Bali, a monkey, stolen sunglasses, and bribery with a banana. “You guys have years of funny stories.”
My previous impression of billionaires was wrong. None of these men were stuck-up guys in suits who only talked about stock prices. Everyone in Lincoln’s crew was down-to-earth, entertaining, and incredibly nice. I wouldn’t mind hanging outwith them again. However, I knew that might not happen. I’d be back in Massachusetts soon and might never go back to LA. My boss shut down my story idea after all. The thought made the sadness that I’d kept buried rise to the surface, but I tamped it down quickly.
Unfortunately, Lincoln didn’t miss it. While the others chatted, he turned to me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Sure.”
He frowned and lifted a hand, but dropped it, and I felt bad. He was about to throw his arm around me, but wasn’t sure if he should. Despite us sleeping together, we were stuck in a stage of uncertainty.
