Page 56 of Love Conquers All

But they knew they had to play the part. No false moves till Sylvie was up on stage.

The limo drove them to a convention center not far from the Washington Monument. It slipped into a line with other limos and luxury vehicles, all of which stopped dramatically to allow those inside a beautiful entrance, long legs and bright tuxedos and stylish hairdos. Graham reached over to take Sylvie’s hand and was surprised at how quick her pulse was. It was clear she was frightened.

“See you on the other side?” Graham whispered.

“Let’s rock.”

Because he was on the right-hand side and closest to the “green carpet,” Graham opened the door and stepped into a thousand photographer flashes. He kept the door open for Sylvie and extended his hand so she could put her dainty one into his. As she got out, he was suddenly reminded of what she’d looked like at sixteen: pink-haired, wild, and eager to fight. She was still the same Sylvie.

“Sylvie Bruckson!” a photographer cried. “Look this way!”

Graham and Sylvie were tossed from one photographer to another, told to look this way, then that, to stand over here and tilt their heads and smile! Graham was sweating, and he knew the photographs would show how slick he looked. But Sylvie looked as cool as a cucumber. When a few reporters stuck their microphones into her face and asked questions about the Journalistic Integrity Agency, Sylvie answered like a politician—with her goals in mind.

“I think it’s an important event,” she said. “Other journalists have been on the front lines of major environmental disasters over the years. They’ve worked hard to get the word out. It’s essential to elevate these voices, to remind journalists of why we do this work, and to keep the fire alive.”

Sylvie knew a few of the journalists from her days in the field. These people, she hugged, asking them how they were and where they’d worked recently.

“I was over in Dubai breaking a story about this heinous start-up,” one of the journalists said. “I totally panicked halfway through. I was like, I can’t do this. I can’t keep following these people around. I can’t keep pestering them with questions. I thought I was going to break. But then I remembered that time we were in Mexico together.”

Sylvie beamed. It was clear she remembered it, too.

“I stood my ground,” the journalist said, her smile gleaming. “I knew I was going to see you at this event, and I wanted to be able to share that with you.”

Sylvie squeezed the journalist’s shoulder. “It should be you being honored tonight.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” the journalist said. “You’ve been at this a whole lot longer than I have.”

Sylvie raised her shoulders. Graham thought it was incredible that she gave nothing away.

“This is my boyfriend, Graham,” Sylvie said a moment later. “He was with me from the beginning, staging protests across Nantucket Island and making posters. We started the environmental club at the high school, if you can believe it. That’s how big of nerds we were.”

“I did the same thing!” The journalist laughed and shook Graham’s hand. “I’ve never met any of Sylvie’s boyfriends before. This is quite a treat.”

“I know. She usually works alone, but she let me come out tonight.” Graham smiled.

Sylvie swatted him playfully.

Suddenly, across the green carpet, Graham spotted Ralph Finster, the CFO of Next Generation Nantucket Designers. His blood boiled. He had half a mind to run over there and give Ralph a piece of his mind. To remind him of his hypocrisy.

This was why Sylvie was in charge. She wasn’t as hotheaded. Not anymore, at least.

Ralph Finster saw Sylvie and decided to approach her. Graham couldn’t breathe. He watched as Sylvie extended a hand, saying, “Mr. Finster, it is a unique honor to finally meet you in person.”

Ralph beamed at her—his prize-winning pony. “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Bruckson. Goodness, the work you’ve done overthe years inspires me. I can’t say enough about it. My youngest daughter did a report about all you’ve done over the years.”

“Was it your daughter who nominated me?” Sylvie teased. “If so, I have to find her and thank her.”

“It wasn’t, no. We were well aware of your work long before that report came out. She got an A plus, by the way.”

“I’m sure she did,” Sylvie said.

There was something slimy about Ralph Finster,Graham thought. Something he couldn’t put his finger on.

Ralph tipped his head toward Graham as though curious about why Graham was so quiet.

“This is my boyfriend,” Sylvie hurried to say. “Graham.”

“Graham, it’s a pleasure. You have a wonderful partner here,” Ralph said, shaking Graham’s hand.

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