Page 126 of A Moment In Time

“Afternoon, Gage.”

“Brian.”

“I’m just dropping off my ads for Tuesday’s edition.”

“Great. Sydney can handle it.” He looked at her. “I’ll be in my office.”

She nodded and turned her attention back to Brian, while Gage went to his office and closed the door. He stopped and looked around. Sydney had cleaned up the mess he left behind yesterday. Something else he didn’t expect her to do. But it didn’t surprise him.

He sat at his desk and moved a couple of items around that weren’t in the right place. He liked his desk how he liked his desk.

When Sydney knocked on his door, he got up and opened it. She looked apprehensive, and he stepped back to let her in.

She looked at him. “I’m sorry I straightened up. I didn’t want you to come back to a mess. Not that it was a mess. But for you…”

He took her hand. “Thank you.”

She took a breath. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.” He let go of her hand and returned to his chair. “Have a seat.” Sydney sat. “I know Remy filled you in on the reason for my behavior yesterday.”

“Please don’t be mad at him.”

“I’m not mad.” He looked at her for a moment. “Instead of being an asshole yesterday, I should’ve told you myself. I just never felt close enough to anyone to talk about it.”

She shook her head. “I’m so sorry you went through that. Your whole family. It’s devastating.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I guess we all deal with it in our own way. Everyone else manages to do that without turning into a bastard once a year, though.”

“I understand. It’s how you cope. Where did you go after you left the office?”

“I took a hike down the creek. I always spend the night out by myself. Sometimes two. But last night Cooper and Cabe showed up.”

“I’m sure they were worried about you.”

“It was comforting. I’m beginning to think I’ve been going about this all wrong.”

“I’m here for you, Gage. Whatever you need.”

“I know. And I’m sorry I didn’t realize that until today. So, can you forgive me for being an ass yesterday and not telling you about this sooner?”

“Of course.”

He smiled. “Good. Thank you for coming in today.”

“I’m not going to leave the office closed just because the editor needed to take a personal day.”

“I think I need to promote you.”

She smiled. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”

“How does assistant editor sound?”

“It sounds good. But I’m kind of used to working two jobs these last few weeks. And my job as your social liaison is over now that you’re the mayor elect.”

“Hmm. Well, how about we keep that position going? But we give it a new name.”

“Like what?”

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