“I’mstuck,”Isay,slumping into the chair across from Violet.
She looks up from her laptop.“What do you mean?”
I let out a slow breath and drag a hand through my hair.The smell of fresh coffee fills the air, completely different from the frustration churning in my belly.“I went to the hospital yesterday to see Adrian.Tried to get the interview.He refused.”
Violet frowns, stirring her latte absentmindedly.“Why?”
“He thinks I’m going to twist his words or something,” I explain.“I thought the last article wasn’t bad.”
“It was great,” she says firmly.
I sigh.“Yeah.But he doesn’t like it.And I need to figure out how to get him to talk, because Luna asked for this interview, and if I don’t deliver, I can forget about that promotion.”
Violet taps her chin, considering.“I’d be that pestering person if I were you.Keep annoying him until he gives in.Show him you’re more than a person trying to get a story, that you’re a person trying to do the town right, and that includes its people.”
“You really think that’ll work?”
She grins.“Absolutely.You can’t back down on this.Luna asked for it.You want the promotion.That means you need the interview.Just keep showing up, asking again, and eventually, he’ll crack.”
I let out a dry laugh, shaking my head.“This isn’t like your boyfriend, where you bat your eyes and get away with things.Adrian’s different.He’s stubborn.The few glimpses I’ve had of him, he doesn’t seem like the type to budge.”
If I can’t get this interview, I don’t get the promotion, and that means no raise.Without that, I can’t keep covering Mom’s medical bills and my family’s expenses.
Violet leans back in her chair, smirking.“You won’t know unless you try.”
“True.”I take a sip of my now lukewarm coffee, then glance at her screen.“Anyway, what are you working on?I feel bad always dumping my problems on you.”
With a grin, she flips the laptop toward me.“Oh, you know, riveting journalism.Genevieve from the diner is about to start making her famous pies, and I’m tracking how fast they sell out for Thanksgiving.”
I sit up straighter.“Oh, that reminds me, I need to get one of those for Thanksgiving.”I tap my fingers on the table, an idea forming.“Maybe… and get one as a peace offering.”
Violet gasps as her eyes light up.“Yes!Bring one to Adrian.He must give you the interview then.”
I tap my lips, considering.“Bribery does have a long and successful history.”
“Not a bad idea, right?”she says smugly.
I smile.“Not bad at all.”
She shifts her laptop back toward her.
“So, what else are you working on?”
“Just the bakery piece?”
“Yeah, mostly.I went down there earlier, took some photos.”She pulls up one on her camera and hands it to me.“Look how proud she is.”
The image is warm and inviting, Genevieve standing in front of the bakery, arms crossed, a crisp white apron tied around her waist, beaming.The pies behind the glass case look too good, golden-brown crusts glistening under the light.
“They’re honestly so good,” I say.“How haven’t you managed to snag one before they sell out?”
Her grin stretches wider.“Who says I haven’t?”
I narrow my eyes.“Listen, if I don’t manage to score one, you better share some of that with me.”
Violet laughs.“We’ll see.”
I glance back at the photo.“There’s something different about those pies.It’s not just one flavor.She makes multiple, and somehow, they all disappear instantly.”
