I snort at Jake’s text.
Me: Happy birthday, bestie. Can’t wait for Tuesday <3
I start typing up a message to send to the Scooby Gang group chat to see if Levi or Jake is willing to go out and do something this weekend. Levi and Stevie usually invite Jake and me over to their apartment when we don’t have any other big plans.
As I’m about to hit send, a perfectly manicured hand waves in front of my face. I look up to find Samantha smiling down at me, and I swear I see a twinkle in her eyes.
That’s weird.
“Hey, Samantha,” I say, putting my phone down. The office is hectic as usual on Fridays, but I’ve turned in my work and have nothing to do except read and text while waiting for Grayson’s decision. I even had time to help Ben with his work, where I sawhow he, Amelia, and Oliver fixed all the pictures to line up with the articles.
“Hey, Em!” I raise a brow. I’m not very close to Samantha. She seems nice and is a great journalist—one of the best—but she’s part of the clique made up of writers who’ve been here the longest. They can be snobbish at times. My only friend here has turned out to be Ben. As much as I love writing, it’s been a bit lonely not being invited to go out for drinks or dinner after we’re done with work by the other writers.
“How’s the article on Professor Hayes going?”
Okay, this makes more sense.I was wondering when she was going to ask about the piece that came from the interview she was supposed to do. I was trying to avoid making any enemies at the paper, but I have a feeling she’s the envious type.
Leaning forward, I nod and say, “It’s going okay, why?”
She shrugs. “Just curious…and I heard he was superhot.” She waggles her eyebrows.
I laugh. “He’s not terrible to look at.”
Samantha shoves my shoulder lightly. “Emma! Look at you. I only hope he says yes to the feature.”
My eyebrows turn inward. “How do you know it’s a feature?”
“Everyone does.” She waves a hand around the room. “Everyone overhears everything here. I swear, there’s no privacy.”
Nodding, I lean back. “Makes sense.”
She smiles widely again. “To be frank, I came over here to ask if you wanted to join me and a couple of the other writers for a late dinner next Thursday?”
My ears perk up at the invitation I’ve been waiting for, for weeks. Maybe she isn’t envious after all. Even if she is, it’s still a chance to get to know the other reporters on the paper.
“Dinner?”
“Unless you have other plans,” she quickly adds.
I snicker. “It’s one of those rare days where I don’t have plans yet.”
Samantha giggles. “It’s fate.” My grin grows. “We’ll be at the new French restaurant in town at eight thirty on Thursday, then.”
Wow, fancy place.
“Simone’s?”
She nods. “That’s the one.” Someone calls her name from the other side of the office. “Gotta go, but I’ll see you next week.”
“Cool.” As she walks away, I check my inbox one more time before leaving and see an email that has me staring at the screen, my heart in my throat.
From: Prof. Grayson Hayes
Subject: Article
Tapping one heel under the table, my hand hovers over the mouse, and I wait until I’m brave enough to see the entire message.
Ms. Haywood,
