CHAPTER ONE
“What literary masterpiece are you writing?”
Ashley pounced on the cup of coffee her friend and fellow journalist, Bonnie, left on her desk. She sipped the heavenly brew and waved her hand toward her computer. “What do you think?”
“Wow. “20 New York Socialites You Need to Know.” You must have spent all day planning that column.”
“I know it’s not ground-breaking journalism, but a lot of people will enjoy reading it.”
Bonnie grinned. “You don’t have to convince me. I believe you. I’m surprised you could narrow the list down to 20.”
“This is New York. Anything is possible.” Ashley peered over the partition separating her cubicle from the next.
“Harry’s gone home. He told me he’s got a social life, unlike the reporters he works with.”
Ashley choked on her drink. “And you believed him?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“It’s Thursday night.”
“And?”
“There’s aTwilight Zonemarathon on TV.” She tilted her head to the side, waiting for Bonnie to remember the only thing Harry had talked about all week. “You can’t have forgotten that quickly.”
“I have a short-term memory when it comes to Harry.”
The blush on Bonnie’s cheeks told Ashley a different story. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve got something else to tell you.”
Bonnie’s eyes widened. “You were employed by the catering company?”
“It was the only way I could get into Jasmine Alfredo’s dinner party.”
“No one knew you were working undercover?”
Ashley shook her head.
“That’s so exciting. Did you take any photos?”
With one click of her mouse, Ashley opened a folder she’d saved on her desktop. “Harry worked his magic on some of the images before he went home.”
Bonnie pulled her chair closer. Her eyes widened when she saw the photos. “Why are you writing about socialites when you’ve got the story of the year sitting in front of you?”
“The story of the year still needs some work. I’m not telling anyone that Jasmine Alfredo could be defrauding her nonprofit charity until I’ve got more proof. Otherwise, her lawyers will come down like a ton of bricks on our esteemed leader’s head.”
“Spelling the end to your illustrious journalistic career.”
“Exactly.The Daily Timesneeds reporters like us, even if I am writing for the society pages.”
“This isn’t your forever job. It’s a stepping stone to greater things.”
“Where have I heard that before?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Bonnie said with a smile. “You could have said the same thing a hundred times. And on that bright note, it’s time for me to go home. Are you coming?”
Ashley glanced at her watch. “You go. I want to finish my story on the socialites.”
“They’ll wait until the morning.”
