His hazel eyes hold my gaze as he arches an eyebrow, almost teasingly. “So the plaque says.”
“Did you apply for the position?” I ask. “The deadline for applications isn’t until tomorrow.”
“There was a change of plans.” He runs a hand through his medium-length, light brown hair that’s slightly wavy, giving him a stylish beachy vibe.
How can he breeze over this like it’s nothing? I spent hours writing and revising my application. Leah even said I was her first choice.
Anger bubbles inside of me. “A change of plans that was out of Leah’s control?”
“I can assure you, I have more than sufficient credentials for the job. I’m majoring in investigative journalism. I believe you’re,” he sniffs, “studying law?”
“You’ve researched me?” This just keeps getting better and better.
“I might have taken a look at Leah’s list of potential candidates.” He shrugs. “I hope this won’t sour our professional relationship.”
“Some of us worked really hard for the editorship.” There should be rules against this. “You’re a stranger who has justshown up out of nowhere. It’s up to Leah to pick the new editor. It’s SVU tradition.”
He simply stares at me, a small quirk tilting his lips, so I continue. “I can show you the paperwork where she recommended me, if you’d like?”
Again, nothing, his hazel eyes sparkling. “How did you do it?” I pin him with a furious glare. “Did you blackmail her? Give her money to buy your way in? Charm the dean with your stupid flippy hair?”
His arrogant smirk deepens. “Leah got her transfer faster, isn’t that all that matters?”
He’s exactly the type of reporter I hate. Someone who plays dirty games. Aside from Devon, there are no other alphas onTheValley Voiceteam, and that’s how I like it.
“You stole the position.” I jab my finger into his chest.
He chuckles. The fact that his gravelly laugh sends a tremble of longing up my thighs only makes him more infuriating. “Because you think it should have been yours?”
“I didn’t say that.” I’m usually unflappable, but this alpha has me going from zero to one hundred in the blink of an eye. “I’m sure there would have been plenty of great applicants.”
He nods at the folder poking out of my backpack. “Is that your application?”
Before I have a chance to think up an incredibly witty response, he swipes it from me with the swiftness of a striking cobra. How did he even move so fast?
“Hey, that’s mine!” I lunge for it, but he raises his arm in the air, holding it out of my reach. “I didn’t say you could take it.”
“But it’s addressed to the editor ofTheValley Voice, is it not?” He brings it down to eye level then scans it. “I believe you had to write an essay about your vision for the paper.”
I snatch it back before he can steal any of my ideas. “I’m sure you can come up with your own vision, considering you’re so familiar with the paper.”
“It would be good to read some of your work.” He glazes over my sarcasm. “Of course, I need to read back over previous issues. Maybe you could help point me in the right direction? It’ll be hard to find anything in this mess.” He surveys the office, nose scrunched in disapproval. “I’m sure I’ll be able to give some order to the chaos.”
My hands curl into fists, almost shaking in fury. I’m the one who is supposed to bring order to the chaos. I’d even spent hours mocking up new office layouts. How dare this alpha-hole roll in, put his feet up behind what should have been my desk, and act like he owns the place?
“I’m sure you have plenty of suggestions for how we could improveTheValley Voice,” he continues. “I’d love to hear your ideas.”
“Ideas?” I see red. “Why would I help you?”
“Because you care about this paper. Why else would you be here at…” He checks his watch. “9am on a Sunday?” He inhales deeply before his gaze lands on my food from Noodles and Chill. “Two boxes?”
“One was for Leah,” I hiss.
“Well, she won’t be eating it now.” Calder helps himself to one of the delicious-smelling boxes. “Better not let it go to waste.”
I’m stunned by his sheer audacity. He stole my job, and now he’s eating my food too! Calder Soren may be the most arrogant alpha I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet. He grins as he sinks his teeth into a bao bun then groans in pleasure. A moan like that is practically indecent. How am I ever going to get any work done with Calder around?
“Shit.” Seconds later, the smile on his face vanishes, his hands jump to his throat, and he lets out a strangled rasp.
