I blush at the memory, but before I can speak, Cosmo interjects.
“I’m not sure how I feel about expensing two of you traveling to Manchester for an interview that can easily be conducted by one journalist,” he says with a frown.
“My parents live in Didsbury, and I was planning on driving up to see them this weekend anyway, so I’m happy not to expense my travel,” Ryan informs him. “I think this is going to be great. Between the two of us, we’ll be able to get the best out of one of Sweden’s best actors. I really think this is a smart idea, Cosmo. Trust me.”
Cosmo hesitates, then begins to nod slowly. “All right. Problem solved.”
“But… but…” I flail around, trying to say something, but feeling too thrown to know what I’m trying to convey.
“Harper, Cosmo has agreed that you can interviewMax Sjöberg,” Ryan points out. “Everyone’s happy, right?”
I stare at him and realize that he’s probably right. Cosmowasn’t going to back down, so as much as I want to do this myself, I don’t think I have much of a choice. But as I follow Ryan back to our desks, my frustration gets the better of me.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” I hiss.
“You mean, helped you get what you want?” he replies, confused.
“You stole my interview!”
He gives me a strange look, slowly replying, “No, I was offered your interview and worked out a solution so that you could keep it.”
“You should have refused.”
“Oh, because that’s always a good move when your editor asks you to do something?” he says sarcastically.
“You are unbelievable.”
“So are you!” he huffs. “You’re doing the interview you wanted!”
“I’m doing the interview Ideserveto do because it’smy interview,” I say, raising my voice and causing people to look our way.
“Just because you set it up doesn’t automatically mean you’re the best person for the job,” Ryan argues. “And I never said it wasn’t your interview! I’m saying that this way, it’s the best of both worlds!”
I jab my finger at him. “For you, not for me. If you had any integrity, you would stand down!”
“Well, I think it will be better if we’re both there!”
“You have to stick your nose intoeverything,don’t you? You just have to show that you can do it better!”
“And you don’t know when to drop things!” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Why can’t you accept that this is a smart move that makes perfect sense?”
“Why can’t you stop stealing my features?” I snap, my face growing hot in anger.
“I haven’t stolen your feature! I’m helping you!”
“I don’t need your help!” I cry.
He lets out a heavy sigh, glancing around at our colleagues trying not to obviously stare at us.
“Let’s discuss this later, Harper,” he whispers, turning to his screen.
I sit stewing for a moment before I blurt out, “We both know youstolemy feature.”
“And we also both know that you justhaveto have the last word,” he snaps.
I scowl at him. “No, I don’t.”
He lifts his eyes to the ceiling and then starts furiously typing.
