Page 38 of Savannah Sweethearts

Heat rose on my cheeks. Had I been that loud? “No. Just doing my warm-ups. Set up wherever, I’ll go find someone to interview.” My voice was harsh and rough, but I didn’t care. I just wanted this day over with.

Alonso set up his camera and I knocked on the office door of the church across the street. The secretary was all too happy to come out and tell me about the miracle that looked over their building. As passers-by slowed, we asked for their take on the scene, and many were happy to oblige us. After about thirty minutes we had everything we needed for a quick package and loaded back up in the car.

“Want to stop for a bite?” Alonso rubbed his stomach for effect.

It wasn’t quite time to eat in my book, but we approached a deli and I thought it sounded better than anything else. “Three Alarm Subs?”

“You read my mind.” He laughed as he pulled into their drive-through. One bacon swiss club for him and a turkey avocado wrap for me and we were back at the studio. I held the bag of food and glared at the floorboards as he drove.

I sat at my desk and ate, then freshened up my face. My official Action News introduction would be live on the five o’clock in just a few minutes. Tyrell had me follow him and he set me up in a chair next to Karry Draper.

Cameras were rolling and the intro began. Sam and Karry were all smiles as they told the cameras what was coming this hour. Then Karry stopped and turned to me. “But first, we have a new member of the Actions News family to introduce. Piper Campbell is our newest reporter and she’s a Savannah native. Piper, welcome.”

Sam tossed in his welcome before I spoke and I spotted Alonso standing to the right of the camera. His beaming grin almost made me falter and I had to look away from him. “Thank you so much, Karry. I grew up watching Action News and I interned here in college, so this is a dream come true for me. I’m happy to be back home.” I smiled at the camera, looking past it, but Alonso had disappeared. I held my pose until we were given the signal and Sam began talking about school budget cuts.

That was it. I was excused from the studio and made my way out as quietly as possible. I didn’t see Alonso as I gave Tyrell my mic and tiptoed through the door. The giddy feeling in the pit of my stomach from knowing he was watching me didn’t sit well, though. My head argued with the rest of me and reminded me that Alonso Ortiz was the enemy.

Alonso

Two weeks of strained conversation was taking its toll on me. Oh, Piper and I could be pleasant, but simmering beneath the surface was tension thicker than my abuela’s chicken tortilla soup. And Connie Ortiz’s soup was thick.

In front of the staff, we were cordial, told jokes about old professors, and worked almost seamlessly. Alone in a car or edit bay, there were no words spoken, no pleasant looks passed between us, nothing. It was worse than working with Jennifer Marcingill. At least she thought I liked her. Neither Piper nor I were under the impression that there was anything other than civility between us.

It stretched beyond the office, too. She had joined my gym. My sanctuary, my safe place to get away from work - she was there. She did yoga classes and ran on the treadmills. Piper had amazing curves that were usually hidden under her cardigans and blazers, but they were on full display when she was wearing a tank top and leggings. And I couldn’t manage to look away. My gaze was drawn to her voluptuous hips and long legs.

Even though we didn’t get along, I found myself drawn to her. She had an easy smile when she wanted to smile. Rex, Tyrell, and everyone else were smitten with her. It was like she was everyone’s little sister. Except my body didn’t see her as a little sister. My body saw her as an attractive woman it wanted to know better.

I had to keep telling it no.

Piper was a natural in front of the camera. Of course, I had known that when we were in school. She lit up the second I gave her the signal that we were rolling.

We stood in front of the local hospital disagreeing on where to set up the camera. She wanted it in front of the ribbon. I said there were too many people and to go in from the side. I usually won these arguments by simply hitting record and giving her the signal.

“And we’re live in three.” I showed her three fingers, two, then one. I pointed to her.

The scowl turned instantly. “I’m Piper Campbell for Action News, here at the ribbon cutting for the new children’s hospital wing at Savannah Regional Hospital. The funding for the new wing was donated by the McFarland family and matched by donations from the Amick Research Center.” She kept talking and stepped out of the way as the ribbon was cut.

Afterward, the scowl returned. “You play dirty, Alonso. I wanted to be set up more forward.”

The smirk couldn’t be helped. I leaned on the car. “You have no idea how dirty I can play, Piper.” I wanted to stop myself from flirting with her, but I couldn’t. I was drawn to her. I needed to rein it in. “But that was a better angle, you’ll see.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “You know, I’ve been in this business just as long as you, and I think I know what my good angles are. Hurry up and let’s get some interviews before they all leave.” She stomped off, her green dress billowing out behind her.

She was so adorable when she stomped.

Whoa there, where did that thought come from? I shook my head and grabbed the camera to follow after her.

After speaking with an over-dressed woman, Piper thanked her profusely. The woman took Piper’s hands in hers. “Oh, honey, you two are so sweet. You’ll make it, I can tell.”

“Pardon?” Piper’s professional, toothy smile faltered and her eyes cut over to me.

“The way this young man looked at you, honey. You are an adorable couple. I can tell he will do anything for you.” She waved a hand in the air like she matched up people all the time.

“Oh, no, ma’am. We’re just co-workers.” I knew my eyes were wide. A couple? Hardly. “I have to look at her, that’s my job."

“Hey.” Piper whipped her head toward me, her eyebrows knit together. She turned back to the woman. “We’re not a couple, but thank you so much for the interview. It will be on at five and six.”

I hoisted the camera back on my shoulder to carry it back to the car, a pile of wires and cords in my other hand. “Must be nice to only carry the mic.” Piper waved to a few people as she casually came back to the car.

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