Page 46 of Breaking News

I rubbed the back of my neck as Richie gestured for her to keep walking toward his car. Once she got in and closed the door, he turned to me and shook his head, smacking his gum. “She’s feisty.”

“Yeah. What do you need to talk to me about?” I was done with the small talk.

Richie looked up into my eyes, his expression suddenly solemn. He cleared his throat. “Um. I just wanted to let you know how much I care about Olivia.”

Was this teenage boy about to ask for my blessing, or what? I said nothing, waiting for him to get to the point with my arms folded against my chest.

He took a breath. “She said she’s not sure you like me a whole lot. And I get that. But you should just know that I love Olivia, and she’s the only thing I really care about. I would do anything to protect her.”

“That’s—”

“I’d jump in front of a speeding train for her.”

My jaw clenched, and the cheerful mariachi music playing softly from a nearby outdoor speaker seemed to taunt me. Was it getting louder? “Well,” I said, pausing for a second to reel in every sarcastic response on the tip of my tongue. Except one. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, huh?”

He just let out an uneasy chuckle.

“Richie,” I said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “You seem like a good kid. I don’t dislike you. But I’m going to hold you to what you said, all right?”

He nodded.

“Olivia’s a smart girl with a bright future ahead of her. She’s starting to figure out what she wants in her life, and she doesn’t need any unnecessary distractions or heartbreak pulling her off course. You get what I’m saying?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“And I wouldn’t want you to have to find out an angry father is a lot scarier than a speeding train.” I gave his shoulder a squeeze, so he’d know I was totally joking, and he let out another nervous laugh.

We were quiet for a second as a family walked past us on their way into the restaurant. I gave them a nod as they passed, releasing my grip on Richie’s shoulder. And then he took a step backward toward his car, saying, “You have my word, Mr. Harlowe. I’m never going to do anything to hurt her.”

“Good.” I nodded toward his car. “Better not keep her waiting. Drive safe.”

“I will.”

I remained on the sidewalk and waved goodbye to them both as Richie’s car pulled out of the parking space. Sighing, I pulled my phone out of my pocket to give Andrea a call so we could laugh about this together.

And damn it, as much as I didn’t want to admit it to myself, that little heart-to-heart with Richie had actually done the trick. I was starting to like the kid.

A little.

chapter seventeen

Jillian

“You’re doing so well, darling.”

Graham’s voice echoed through my mind on a loop Monday morning. We were setting up in the courtyard outside of City Hall, where the mayor was holding a press conference about tornado relief efforts. Chase usually covered these things, but Marco thought putting me on camera would boost ratings. Apparently, the people of Woodvale liked seeing me out in the wild—which was difficult to do when we had other stories to report on. It made me feel like I was riding a unicycle across a tightrope with a stack of plates in my hand.

Even when my brain wasn’t preoccupied with the memory of my boss asking if I liked watching his fingers disappear inside of me.

I adjusted the mic clipped to my collar and forced myself to focus as the crew moved around me, lining up their shot and checking the light. The mayor was scheduled to speak in fifteen minutes Somebody nearby was lining up rows of chairs on the brick pavers, and I recognized a few of the people starting toshow up: the president of the chamber of commerce, some city council members, and local business owners.

I got the impression Mayor Michaels had something to announce. Otherwise, this could have waited until the city council meeting.

“We’ll immediately pan to you when she wraps up,” Marco was saying, “for a quick reaction and tight summary before we cut to Bernard.”

I nodded, fiddling with my earpiece. “And then Chase’s pre-recorded segment before it’s back to me, right?”

“Right.”

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