Page 32 of The Truths We Find

“It’s not you I’m worried about. Just—” He takes a breath. “Anything he might say to you… about me… about us… don’t trust him. Trust what we’ve had all these years.” He’s almost shaking as the words come out.

I try my best to hide my confusion, but what kind of warning is that? Before I can ask more, we’re interrupted.

“Thirty seconds to line up!”

Sam crashes our mouths together. His tongue swirls over mine, and a small moan escapes his lips. The kiss is possessive and commanding. He breaks away and leaves me with a final “I love you” before running to line up with his fellow Marines.

I’m trying to stay focused on the fact I just said my last goodbyes to Sam for the next eight months, but all I can think about is the heated warning he left me about Gavin. Why would he use our final moments for that? And why does it kind of piss me off?

It’s been a month since Sam left. He called a few days after our goodbye at the base to let me know he’d made it there safely, but I’ve only heard from him once since. I’ve been doing a good job keeping myself busy.

Since the special, our ratings have been better than ever. The District Attorney’s Office called Alexa, asking her to reveal her anonymous source, so they can finally press charges against him. Of course, she refused. I think her exact words were, “It’s not my job to do yours for you.” That really pissed them off. Alexa says she loves having a nemesis.

Everyone at work knows Sam’s gone and keeps asking how I’m doing. Every time I say, “I’m fine,” they tell me how strong I’m being.

The truth is, I really am fine. I love Sam. Besides Alexa, he’s my best friend. But I’m not dependent on him. He’s not my entire life. Do I worry about his safety, of course. Do I miss him when I roll over and realize he’s not next to me, yeah. But Sam and I have always had the kind of relationship that works well because we can be together and still do our own things. We don’t need each other to breathe or function.

I’m working on my computer when I see Gavin walk by, nose buried in his phone.

“You meeting Alexa and me after work?” I ask as he passes me.

“Huh?” He doesn’t look up.

“You alright over there?” I giggle.

He stops right next to me, still staring at his phone. After a few more moments of scrolling, he finally lifts his head and looks my way. “Sorry. Important email. What did you ask?”

“Doolies after work?”

“Yeah. My turn to buy, right?”

“I think so. Okay. Go back to your important thing.” I wave him off. “See you later.”

He nods as he walks towards his office, nose back in his phone.

I never thought I would see the day, but Gavin and I have actually become legit friends over the last month. He goes out with Alexa and me, and the three of us have a great time. Sometimes I think Gavin has a thing for Alexa. The thought sends a ping of jealousy through me. Not because I want him or anything, but because if they get together, then we lose this great dynamic we’ve created. At least… that’s what I keep telling myself.

I go back to what I was working on when I hear Gavin’s office door open.

“Can I have everyone’s attention please,” he yells.

I poke my head over my computer monitor to see what’s going on, as does everyone else in the newsroom.

“Dani, Alexa, do you two mind coming over here for a minute?” His face is flat, and I hate that I can’t read him.

I swivel my head around the room to look for Alexa, who’s over with a group of other reporters. Her eyes find mine, and her face drops, like we’re two kids who are about to get punished in front of the class. We reluctantly get up and make our way to Gavin, all eyes on us.

I lean in towards Gavin. “What the hell is going on?” I whisper.

He ignores me.

“I just got a very exciting email to share with you all.” He places his hands in his suit jacket pocket. “The day the Tate special aired, I realized there was only one day left to submit entries for the Regional Emmy Awards. So, I put it in for consideration.”

“You what?” Alexa and I gasp at the same time.

“The email just came in. I’m beyond delighted to announce that Alexa and Dani have officially been nominated for an Emmy Award. Congratulations!”

I hear the words, but they don’t fully register. Everything seems to be computing a second too late.