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Unbearably Yours

Page 104

by Elodie Colliard

“I’m taking over. The docuseries. Every single project Trevor was on. I’m in charge now.” Emma leans her elbows on her knees. “I have every intention in the world of finishing what we started, and I got the green light to bring you back on board. Both of you.”

My jaw goes slack. “The filming is back on?” I glance at Oliver, who mirrors my expression, his brows high under the thick mass of hair falling on his forehead.

“It is,” she says. “We’re set to get back there next fall, enough time for our lawyers and WP to agree on a few final details.”

Oliver blows a sharp breath out. “I didn’t expect this.”

“Oh, I have more.” Emma pats his knee, her stare fixed on me. “You have a gift, Charlee. I watched the few tapes we managed to get from the trip and, god, I wanted to follow you everywhere you went. You’re not meant to hide behind a pen. You’re cut out to be in front of the camera. Ditch the written press. Come work for me at MNL. We have an open position, and I want you on my team. It’ll be nothing like what you’ve been doing at Wild Planet. No rushing all over the place. Two documentaries a year, and the rest of the time, you can enjoy your life quietly.”

Oliver’s hum of approval punctuates her incredulous offer.

I don’t know what to say, don’t know what to think. I always thought that the only way I’d leave Ben and Wild Planet would be if the offices went under, and with the documentary back on track, Toronto should survive. So to just leave Ben and be in the spotlight full time? Is that really what I want?

Remember the rush in your blood when the red light of the camera was on, the giddiness of bringing such priceless moments to life for thousands of people?

I can’t lie to myself. It was fun, and Emma and I made a hell of a team. A new challenge. New adventures. I glance at Oliver. There’s something new here too that I can’t ignore—or leave behind.

I can feel Emma watching me, so I tear my eyes away from Oliver and say, “Can you give me a few days to think about it?”

She smiles and stands. “Absolutely. Call me before the end of the week, okay?”

“Will do.” I walk her back to the front door as Oli waves goodbye.

“Thank you,” I say and bring her into a hug. “I need to go see someone in town,” I whisper in her ear, “and Oliver can’t know. Ask me to drive you back.”

“What are you up to?” she asks in my hair.

I grin when I pull back and zip my lips. “Righting a wrong.”

“Hey, would you mind driving me back to town?” she says loud enough for Oli to hear. “Someone very nicely dropped me off earlier.”

“Uh, sure. Oli?”

He pokes his head out from the kitchen. “Yeah?”

“I’m driving Emma to . . .” I look at Emma for any clue as to where she’s staying.

“The Butterfly Inn,” she chimes in.

“I’ll be back in thirty, okay?”

Oliver smiles. “Sounds good; drive safe. Emma, nice to see you.”

Two seconds after I drop off Emma, I push through the doors of town hall.

“Is he in?” I ask the person at the front desk, who looks ready to aim pepper spray in my face.

“Yes, but he’s in a meeting.” She stands, but it’s unclear whether she wants to bolt or block my path.

I smile sweetly. “Well, not anymore.”

I walk to the door with Rob’s name on it and push it open. “Well. My timing couldn’t have been more perfect,” I say wryly as my gaze falls on Oscar, who sits in front of the mayor.

Rob bunches his eyebrows. “I’m sorry, who are you? We’re in the middle of something.”

I shake my head vehemently. “Oh no, don’t worry. I won’t take too much of your time.” I move forward and lay a hand on Oscar’s shoulder. “This gentleman and I are already acquainted, aren’t we?” I squeeze hard, and Oscar hisses, wrenching his shoulder out of my grip. Satisfied, I hold my hand out to Rob. “Charlee Fletcher. Nice to meet you.”

Rob shakes my hand, a frown still on his forehead as his eyes dart between me and Oscar.