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“For the big time, bonehead. I’m talking globally. Taking over the news world, one high heel at a time.”

“Don’t call me bonehead, lug nut. And I think so?” I scrunched up an eye. “I never realized how much scrutiny these anchors faced. There are people in boardrooms evaluating my style of banter and debating the direction I part my hair. Feels like a lot of pressure.”

Ty didn’t hesitate. “It is that. They will chew you up and spit you out if you let ’em.” He looked over at me, sincere. “Don’t. You hear me, numbskull?”

“I hear you, birdbrain. I appreciate your looking out for me.” I was feeling all kinds of sentimental as we got to the end of our time working side by side. How often would I get to work with a true best friend? “And don’t you go forgetting about me and our adventures.”

He lowered his sunglasses. “What’s your name again?” I slugged him as he put the car in park. He looked across his dash at the school in front of us. “This is it. Likely the last one. Better make it count.”

I grinned. “I owe you a Slurpee after to commemorate the occasion. A green one.”

“Yep. I knew it.” He slapped his steering wheel. “You’re the best damn reporter ever.”

“You know it.”

He grabbed his camera and tripod from the back, and we headed to the front of the school, off to nab another story for the people of San Diego like the newshound duo that we were.

Chapter Seventeen

The weekend always had a way of slowing the world down and reminding me of all the important things in life, especially when it came after a whirlwind few days like mine. Seeing my family exaggerated the effect and worked like the best kind of salve. Carrie and I sat around the table at Sarah and Emory’s place, stuffed from a magnificent roasted chicken dinner, and grinning from fantastic conversation. The sun was down and dessert plates sat half empty, leaving the kind of satisfaction that only came when you were fully fed, a little buzzed, and relaxing with people you loved.

“I need this mousse recipe,” Carrie called to Sarah, who headed to the kitchen with a stack of plates and silverware. “I’m going to wake up thinking about this chocolate.”

“She does that on purpose,” Emory informed her. “Makes you bring Skyler back here more often if we feed you wonderful food. All part of the master plan.”

I tossed my napkin onto the table. “You don’t have to lure me with chocolate.”

Carrie shot me an admonishing look.

“Sorry. Yes. There better be more freakin’ chocolate, or I’m never returning.” We laughed, except for Carrie, who we’d lost to a notification on her phone. “Everything okay?” I asked, touching her arm.

“I think so. Do you mind if I step out and take a call?” she asked us, holding up her cell.

“By all means,” Emory said. “You can use the deck if you want privacy.”

“Perfect. Thank you.” She moved quickly from the room and flashed us thejust one minutesign.

When we were alone, I turned to Emory. “How are you feeling? Ididn’t want to put you on the spot in front of the others, but you’ve been on my mind. Be honest.”

She nodded and slid a strand of blond hair behind her ear. “Coming to the end of my treatment. The fatigue they promised was no joke, but my stamina should be back soon.”

“That’s fantastic.”

“Well, hopefully. We won’t know for a while if we got it all, but my doctors are optimistic.”

“The waiting,” I shook my head, imaging that kind of stress. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“No choice. That and, well, I’ve learned that I’m not superwoman, and all I can do is surrender myself. That was news that certainly hurt.” Emory smiled ruefully. “But I’ve also learned that it’s okay to let myself be vulnerable.” She stared off in the direction of the kitchen, of Sarah. “Lean on that one in there. But that lesson hasn’t come easy.”

“No?”

She laughed. “We’ve never fought more in our lives, but she’s in the right. It’s time for me to accept her help, give her the wheel, and stop trying to act like I got this.” That’s when I saw the tears. I swallowed, stunned. I’d never seen Emory cry before. What was happening? What should I do?

“It’s okay,” I said automatically, just in case she was embarrassed. I felt an uncomfortable lump in my throat, too.

“No, no. That’s just it. I’m just fine letting you see this.” She laughed, grabbed a napkin, and wiped her tears. “I never would have allowed this to happen just a few months ago. The new me. It feels…really nice.”

Sarah arrived back and slid into the chair next to Emory. She looked at me and then Emory and nodded. “It got serious in here, huh?”

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