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I shrug and look down at the computer screen. “I guess I’ve just never seen myself as an advice columnist.”

“Listen, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t know that you’ve ever been classified as a reporter. Your articles always had this personal touch to them, and it’s what makes you so good at your job. For what it’s worth, I think you’d be amazing at this. Besides, didn’t you say you want to do something new?”

I nod, thinking over everything she said. “What do you think about Mercedes?”

“Well, from what you’ve told me, I think she’s kind of awesome. I mean, yeah, her dad gave her the money to start this business but she’s turned it into something more. Look at this blog, it’s incredible.”

I know she’s right about everything but I still feel hesitant. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Carly grabs my phone and shoves it into my hand. “Call her. Right now.”

I sigh and look down at my phone before looking back up at my friend.

“Ali, I know it’s scary to try something new, and I know you’ve always seen yourself as a reporter but maybe the universe has other plans for you. Besides, it’s not like you’re stuck here if you hate it. Just give it a try, it may be totally amazing.”

I suck in a breath and dial Mercedes’s number before I can talk myself out of it and put the phone to my ear. She answers quickly, and I smile, putting on my professional side.

“Hi, Mercedes. This is Alison James. I was just calling you about the job we talked about today.”

“Oh my gosh, yes. Please tell me you decided to come work with me.”

I look over at Carly, and an idea forms in my head, making me grin at her. She shoots me a confused look but I just grin wider. “I would love to work with you but I have one condition.”

“Name it and it’s yours.”

“Do you have room on your staff for a friend of mine? Carly Mills, she’s at the paper also.”

Carly’s mouth drops open, and she just stares at me, dumbfounded. She wants to get out of that place just as badly as I do, and if I can do that for her, I absolutely will.

“What does she write?”

“Mostly lifestyle pieces. She also did this big article about a year ago about corruption in the Port Allen Police Department.”

“Holy shit, yes! I remember reading that. What was that girl’s name? Emma something, right?”

“Yeah, Emma Harrington.”

“That’s right. That article was absolutely incredible, and we will make room for her.”

“Perfect,” I say, nodding at Carly as a smile curves my lips, and her eyes widen further.

“Why don’t you both start on Monday?”

“That sounds great, Mercedes. Thank you so much.” I quickly say good-bye, and when I hang up, Carly punches me in the arm.

“I can’t believe you did that,” she says, still looking shocked. “You could have lost the job trying to get me one.”

I shake my head. “I have it on pretty good authority that she wanted me really bad, besides, don’t act like you don’t want to leave the paper, too. And now you can.”

She finally smiles at me, shaking her head in disbelief. “Holy crap, I’m so excited. I’m gonna call Mr. Klein and tell him where to shove it.”

I laugh as she jumps off the couch and marches off into the kitchen to quit her job. I’m happy that I could do this for her and even more happy that we’ll still be working together. I take a sip of my wine and sigh. I guess here’s to the universe stepping in and shaking up my world.

Chapter Seven

Storm

I’m acting like a fucking chick. What kind of man stands at his kitchen window, desperate to get a glimpse of his insanely hot neighbor? And yet, here I am. My window looks directly into her living room and just behind that is her kitchen. My gaze keeps being pulled back to that spot where I bandaged her knee up today, remembering the way that I was drawn to her like she’s a goddamn siren. No matter how much I tried to fight it, I was heading for disaster. The moment I looked at her, I wanted to bend her over the nearest surface and fuck her until I couldn’t stand anymore, but it’s more than that. I’m dying for just a flash of her face, just one second where I feel like I can breathe again. I want to drown in her blue eyes because it erases the pain that’s constantly beating under my skin like a heartbeat.