Anderson finished reading the kicker, and the national morning theme song played over the monitors. Lucy slipped off her headset.
“Lucy’s in charge of the coffee run today,” Reuben announced. “I’ll get you a list. Shop’s up the street.”
“Because I’m the new girl?” She stretched her arms over her head.
“Initiation.” He winked.
Whatever. She wasn’t above playing coffee gofer.
Lucy grabbed her jacket and headed through the lobby to the street. Daylight crept along the mesas, sandstone canyons, and desert mountain rock formations surrounding the Confluence valley, but the early morning sunrise had not quite erased the shadows of night. She made her way through the quiet town square. Her high heels tapped an increasingclickety-clackon the pavement as she hurried.
Nearly there.
She breathed in the sweet smell of morning when she entered the sanctuary of the little shop. Rich coffee, cinnamon, and fresh-from-the-oven bread permeated the air. The tiny café had room for the barista, a bakery case, and a few stools along a window bar.
A young woman in a maroon apron stood behind the counter.
“Hi, I’m Lucy from KDVX. I have a list—”
“Same list every morning,” The woman’s mouth curved into a smile as she steamed milk, poured chocolate syrup, dripped espresso, and sloshed froth into the cups. “I memorized it months ago. Haven’t seen you before. What can I add for you?”
“Small coffee with room for cream, thanks.”
“What do you do at the station?”
Lucy adjusted her hand-me-down tan Gucci wool blazer. “I’m the weekday morning news producer.”
“News producer.” The barista arched an eyebrow. “I pegged you for talent. You’re dressed like an anchor.”
“Nope, just the producer.” Lucy frowned. She should be talent…soon. She’d always wanted to try her hand in front of the lens. Now she’d found a station that encouraged their staff to expand into the different areas of the newsroom, and she had every intention of making that happen.
The barista sang under her breath as she finished the order and packed the drinks into cardboard carriers. She carefully placed them into a large paper sack and flashed a smile to Lucy. “It’s easier than trying to balance them the whole way back.”
Lucy held the heavy bag against her chest with both arms. The awkward set-up slowed her momentum on the trek back to KDVX. She hurried anyway. An elderly woman walked a small dog across the street. The sun was up and people dotted the square.
In the lobby, she reached for the elevator button, careful to keep the bag balanced against her chest. A loudpingechoed through the empty room to announce the elevator. A man rushed out—slamming right into Lucy.
Scorching liquid burned her chest. She cursed and the sack slipped from her grip. It dropped between them, sending steaming coffee to splatter everywhere. She teetered on her high heels, and he reached to keep her from tumbling. “I’m so sorry. Really. I’m so sorry,” the man said, his strong arms steadying her.
No way. Impossible.
With a groan, her eyes met William’s gaze. She wasn’t getting that medal for avoiding him after all.
“Lucy.” He glanced at her press pass that detailed her name and credentials. Shock registered on his face.
His fingertips were warm against her waist. Her body responded with goose bumps. For a moment his gaze met hers and it was as though someone pressed the pause button on reality. William Covington had his arms around her and she was a teenager again with a crush on a boy she could never have. Except the way he looked at her made her wish that wasn’t true. But guys like him didn’t go for girls like her. They went for beauty pageant winners with tiaras and sashes that readQueen of the Chicken Festival.
And she definitely didn’t go for guys like him. Playboy rich kids were not on her to-do list.
“You work here?” he asked, dropping his hands.
She missed them immediately.
“Producer.” Her coffee-splattered jacket was drenched. She yanked it off and draped it over her arm. Why was she always covered with sticky beverages when he was around?
William glanced around for something to clean up the mess.
Her blouse was ruined. Brown splotches covered both her breasts and coffee dripped from the silk. William tugged off his navy suit jacket and began patting it against her…breasts.
