Page 56 of Savannah Sweethearts

“You didn’t have to. Go ahead and recommend Maria. She’s got the hots for you and I’m sure she would ‘reward’ you for a recommendation.”

I nearly slammed on the brakes at that comment. “Piper, seriously? Do you think I would do that? Clearly, you don’t know me as well as I thought.” I shook my head, glad I was now sitting at a red light. “One, I value my job and take it seriously. I know I like to have fun, but I won’t recommend Maria for a chance to roll in the hay with her. Second, I won’t be guilted into recommending you just because you’re my partner and you think it’s expected. I didn’t even have time to think about it before you both were demanding I put in a word for you. At this point, Campbell, I’m out of the equation.”

It was silent as we drove to the soup kitchen. Once there, Piper began her tongue-twister warm-ups. They had been endearing the last time I heard them, but now they were just grating my nerves.

How could she assume I would automatically give her the recommendation? Then again, helping her get this position would help me get her out of my head. I had no desire for commitment in my adult life and she had me questioning that. Removing her from my day-to-day life would surely remove any foolish notions that I needed her in my arms. So what if she was smart, sexy, great with Maggie, and one of the kindest people I had ever met? Well, kind to everyone except me.

We worked seamlessly and silently for the next hour as we did the story on the soup kitchen and an adorable group of Girl Scouts. One of them even had Down Syndrome, a little redhead with bright blue eyes. Piper and I were both drawn to her and she looked at Piper as if she were a movie star instead of a field reporter. Piper’s patience and obvious care for the girl broke down the bitterness I felt.

She’d be a great mom one day. I stopped in my routine and pondered that thought. Why did I care if Piper Campbell would be a great mother one day? I wouldn’t be there to see it. That thought made me feel a little sad. Perhaps I would see it on the periphery, as a co-worker. Piper and whatever man was lucky enough to get her, with their children at the company picnic. With her looks and my coloring, our children would be much better looking than any from some other guy.

Whoa. Where did that thought come from? My heart pounded furiously and my palms were sweaty. I could see what our children would look like in my mind. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time. I needed to get her the anchor job so I could get her and these thoughts out of my mind.

“Alonso? Why did you stop?” Piper’s annoyed voice snapped me out of my imaginings.

I was standing in the doorway with my equipment halfway taken apart, a camera hanging precariously in my hand. “Oh, sorry. I got lost in thought.” I carefully placed the camera on the ground. “Piper, if you want a recommendation for anchor, I’ll give it to you. I’ll type it up tonight and send it to Tyrell and Andrews.”

Now it was her turn to stop mid-stride. Pink tinged her cheeks for a moment before she jumped up and down. “Oh, Alonso, really? I could never thank you enough.” Then she bound over to me and wrapped her arms around me.

The little Girl Scout made a kissing noise. “Is he your boyfriend?” Looking over, her little red eyebrows waggled up and down in our direction. She reminded me so much of Maggie. I bet she could get away with a lot of sass at home, just like Maggie did.

The tight squeeze released and Piper quickly stepped away. “Oh, no, Bailey. He’s just a co-worker who agreed to help me with something.”

Bailey stepped closer to Piper and motioned for her to come closer. Piper leaned over. With one cupped hand, Bailey attempted to whisper in Piper’s ear, but everyone within twenty feet could hear her. “He should be your boyfriend. He’s really cute.”

The adult in charge of the girls finally stepped in. “Bailey, stop that. Leave Ms. Campbell alone.” She held out her hand and Bailey obediently went to her side and took her hand. “I’m so sorry.”

Back at the studio, I sought out Maria to tell her I would not be able to give her a recommendation. “I think you’re great at what you do, but you know Piper is my partner and I told her I would write one for her. If you really need help with your package, I can see if I have time, but I really think you need to ask Rex or Dooley.”

With a nod, Maria swallowed hard. “I totally understand. I’m disappointed, but that’s okay. The right person will be chosen for the job.”

“That’s a great way of looking at it.” I patted her hand and said goodbye, heading back to my edit bay to work on the soup kitchen package.

A few minutes before eleven, both Piper’s stories were ready and loaded to run. If she wanted the anchor job, this was a good day for Mr. Andrews to be watching her work. Both stories were excellent and Piper seemed to be on fire in front of the camera. With my work done, I stayed at my desk and wrote the recommendation for her. With it emailed over to Mr. Andrews and Tyrell, I began to pack up just as the bridesmaid piece began to air.

Hm, that’s not the package I made earlier. I swallowed hard and blinked several times as I stared at the screen.

Oh no. Not again.

Piper

The color drained from my face. What was going on? The clip that was supposed to be my interview with the bridesmaid had been replaced with footage of me applying makeup in the women’s room while doing vocal exercises.

“She sells seashells by the seashore. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, how many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?” Eyeliner went around my eye while my mouth made a wide O shape. I picked at my teeth and made a sucking sound. My eyelashes fluttered and I sighed heavily while looking at myself in the mirror before flipping the light switch and it got dark.

How? Why? Hot bile rose in my throat. That video had been shot before we left for the interview this afternoon. Had Alonso set up a camera to record me? In the women’s dressing room no less? Why would he do such a thing?

Memories of college and my ruined story flashed in my mind as Karry laughed awkwardly.

“Oh, Piper, I don’t think that’s what you meant to show us. Let’s come back to that in just a moment, hopefully with the right footage.” Karry turned her body to the camera as she shook her head. “The Savannah Children’s Choir held a concert this afternoon for residents of the Sunny View Retirement Home. Here’s Maria with the story.”

When Maria’s package rolled, I ripped off the mic and fled the studio. Without thinking I headed straight to Alonso. He was in his edit bay, shutting things down.

“How could you do this to me again? And with a possible promotion looming? I thought we were friends! I thought you said you would help me!” Hot tears rolled down my cheeks. He did it again.

Eyes wide, Alonso shook his head. “I don’t know what—”

“You didn’t like the idea of me being promoted to anchor so you sabotaged my package on purpose. Again! You haven’t changed one bit, Alonso Ortiz. I will be taking this to Mr. Andrews first thing tomorrow and getting another cameraman. And I don’t care if you get fired in order for that to happen.”

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