Page 86 of Hung Up
Besides, I have a note I never got to give her.
33FAITH
SAN FRANCISCO
getting what I want
I’m curledup on the couch with a blanket, my laptop sitting on my lap. My phone is on do not disturb, the television off, and all news and social media sites have been temporarily blocked on my laptop. After the media circus that unfolded on Sunday, I’ve been bunkered down as if trying to survive the apocalypse.
Except I’ve been ordering through Uber Eats twice a day, and I’m looking at adoptable kittens on the internet.
With my new shut-in hermit crab status, I thought what better companion than a cat? Only problem is I’m allergic—although I’m not sure that really matters. There’s meds for that which are quite effective.
Right? Ah, what the hell.
I’m just about to click on “Schedule a Visit” when my phone starts to ring beside me, which means it can only be one of two people.Please be Rylie, please be Rylie,I chant in my head. Flipping my phone so it’s screen side up, my heart rate spikes as I see Alicia’s name across the screen.
“What did you decide?”
She had called me on Monday to express her concern over the incident. Of course, she’d never reprimand her best reporter, but she made it known that my actions had put her in a tough situation. I had apologized profusely, telling her I’d do whatever it took to fix this. She said she’d get back to me and let me know what the next steps would be once she could get a handle on the media.
I guess she’s made her decision.
“No beating around the bush with you, is there?” I don’t respond, setting my laptop down on the coffee table before resting my thumbnail nervously between my teeth. “I’m going to send in team two to finish this assignment and have you help with research for the next couple of weeks before finding you a new assignment.”
“No.”
I can hear the surprise in her voice when she says, “Excuse me?”
“I said no.” I leap off the couch, pacing on the rug between the coffee table and my sectional. “I’ve worked too damn hard and put too much into this assignment just to walk away the weekend before finals.”
“Is this because of Jesse?”
I scoff, shaking my head as I stop pacing and begin to gesture with my free hand as if she can see me. “No, Alicia, it’s not. This is about my integrity. It’s about me pouring my heart and soul into this final article, sacrificing hours upon hours of my life to be on the road, researching more than I ever have in my life, and wanting to make a difference. It’s about me finishing what I started. If it was about Jesse, I’d just go watch him like a normal spectator. This is so much bigger for me.”
“What if I told you the only way you could keep this assignment was to end whatever it is between you two?”
“I’d tell you that what I have going on with Jesse hasn’t affected my work in any shape or form, and if it’s an issue, I’ll make sure no one sees us together until this is over.”
She hesitates. “You’d really risk this assignment just to be with him?”
“I guess so.” The words, the truth and intensity of what they mean, hit me like a ton of bricks. But for once, I don’t balk. “I’m starting to learn that there’s more to life than your job.” There’s a knock on the door—presumably my dinner—so I tell Alicia, “I promise you won’t regret keeping me on this assignment, but you will if you take me off of it.”
“I better not.” My brows lift, the vice gripping my heart easing up slightly when there’s another knock. “This better be one damn good article, Faith. You call me if you need anything.”
She hangs up before I can thank her, so I make a mental note to text her when the delivery driver knocks for a third time. “Just leave it at the door.”
“But then I don’t get to see your beautiful face.”
My jaw goes slack and my eyes go wide. Glancing at the clock hanging on the wall, I’m confused to see that it’s seven o’clock. He should be riding right now.
I rush to the door and yank it open, a sense of calm rushing over me when I realize he’s okay. Or at least appears to be.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I wanted to give you this.” He pulls a piece of paper out of his back pocket and extends it in my direction. Taking it from him, I feel his eyes on me as I flip it open to see his somewhat messy scrawl.
I just want you to know that when I picture myself happy, it’s with you.
