Page 89 of Love, Just In

What on earth are we going to do?

Is this just a bit of fun for him—an itch he’s always wanted to scratch—and once I return to Sydney, we go back to being distant friends? Is that what he wants?

Would he consider moving back? If I really let my mind go there, wouldIwant that?

I’m nearly an hour late for work, so I sneak into the quiet newsroom, grateful to find most of the reporters have already left to cover stories. I dump my bag beside a free computer, clicking open the day’s rundown.

‘There you are!’ Man-Bun-Colin booms from across the room, and I want to shrink into myself as he strides over to me.

‘I’msosorry, my car wouldn’t start this morning,’ I lie.

‘Natasha’s been looking for you. You better get into her office before she changes her mind.’

‘About what?’ My heart falls out of my chest at hisI know something you don’tstare, but when he smirkslike the news is good, I jump up and stride towards Natasha Harrington’s office as if lions are on my tail.

She’s murmuring into the phone, so I hover outside until I hear her hang up.

‘Get in here, Josie,’ she calls out, and I scamper inside the plush haven of her office.

I sink into the chair opposite hers, wondering if she can tell that I stayed up late screwing my best friend on the kitchen floor.Josie, stay on subject.

Natasha threads her manicured fingers over her crisp shirt. ‘How would you feel about presenting the evening news this week?’

My lips pop open.

‘Yvette’s been called down to Sydney to fill in temporarily for Christina Rice.’

A dart of fear strikes my chest.It’s too early for the baby. What’s wrong with Christina?

‘Think you can handle it?’ Natasha asks.

‘Absolutely,’ I reply in the calmest voice I can manage. ‘I’dloveto. Thank you.’

‘Good. You start today. The producers will talk you through it. You’ll need to write up the weather and be ready to record updates. Speak to hair and make-up about what time they want you in the chair.’

It takes a second for reality to sink in.Oh my GOD.A fireworks display erupts behind my sternum, spraying my insides with shimmering lights.I’m going to read the evening news. Actual dreams are coming true!

After thanking Natasha repeatedly, I return to the newsroom and exchange a grin with Colin. I have no idea why Natasha asked me to fill in instead of Meghan Mackay, but there’s no way I’m bringing up Meghan’s name. Lately, Meghan’s been giving me nothing but icy side-eyes every time I pass by her workstation.

The moment I’m back at my desk, I pull out my phone and text Zac.

ME:Guess who’s going to be reading the news tonight and all this week?

ZAC:Are you joking with me right now?

ME:No way, Jose (See what I did there?)

ZAC:Ahhh, congratulations, beautiful.

No one deserves this more than you. You’re going to be amazing. My TV might explode from the cute and the sexy.

ME:Thank you

Hope I do OK, eeeeek.

P.S. ‘Cute and sexy’ applies only to you.

ZAC:No chance. My body’s being pretty clear about that right now.

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