Page 13 of Off the Record

Well, hewas,but not in the way Hudson imagines. “We used to date,” I tell him. “He’s been out of the office for a few months, so it’s been a minute since we’ve talked.”

Hudson looks at me. “You were exhibiting body language equivalent to that of a cornered animal. It didn’t look like a good situation to an outsider.”

Again, I’m the meerkat. I don’t know how to feel about the fact that he noticed. None of his attention really makes much sense at all. “I’m not in danger emotionally, mentally, or physically, if that’s what you mean.”

“You’re certain?”

“Leo’s harmless.” Physically, at least. The emotional pain he dealt out is receding as well.

“I’ll take your word for it.”

“Thank you.”

“If you do need an assist, my office is open anytime.”

An assist? Like a way to get away from Leo? “You’re saying I can claim a bogus meeting whenever I want to escape my ex?”

His mouth flickers in a faint smile. “Bogus? We planned to chat this morning.”

“I didn’t realize you meant first thing.” Or in person, but I leave that out.

Hudson rubs the back of his neck, looking at me like he wants to say something. “This is good,” he says, gesturing to the computer screen. Conversational whiplash, much? “But it’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

“It’s not polished yet.”

“Still, I can see where you’re going with it, and I think…” He looks away, working his jaw like he’s searching for the right words. “I don’t think the band is the right angle here.”

Oh. My. Gosh. What does this man want from me? I have the sneaking suspicion I don’t have all the facts. An interest piece like the one about Carnton, without the historical references but about the people—but not this particular band. My head is swimming.

I’m willing to meet on his level, but I need more guidance. “What exactly do you want to get out of this article?”

“Readers,” he says. “I think you have the ability to bring in fresh eyes and recurring readership if we can get you on the right subject. The problem is none of this is really hitting right. Can you scrap it and try again?”

My stomach leaps at the praise, then falls hard again. If I can’t find a way to prove I can do exactly what Hudson thinks I can, then what happens? I’m job hunting? Carrie has a good job as a nurse, but she can’t float the rent for both of us. I need to do my part, too, and I don’t want to do it beside my lecherous old boss atMusic City Monthlyagain.

“I’ll try,” I tell him.

“Good.” He’s watching me, picking up the BIC pen on his desk and spinning it again. “How’s the tire?”

“Dead and replaced.” I hesitate briefly before asking, “How’s the new job?”

The pen stops spinning. I really don’t get why he doesn’t use more expensive pens. “More of a challenge than I expected.”

Well, I hadn’t anticipated that kind of honesty. Although I didn’t know what to expect, really. We aren’t friends. He just looks like he could use one.

“Running the paper is fine. I’ve done it before,” he says like it’s nothing, yet I happened to know it gave Ben ulcers. “But the admin side, using the consultants to whittle down the staff and try to make the best decisions for moving forward…I don’t like any of that. I thought the challenge would be interesting, then I got here and remembered that real people are behind all the numbers.”

“With real lives and rent to pay and tires to replace,” I add, but my brain is spinning onconsultants.

“Exactly.” He sits up. “Not my favorite part of the gig.”

Didn’t he leave being an editor-in-chief solely for an admin job in the executive offices? Isn’t that what Chief of Marketing is? If admin isn’t his favorite part of the job, what does helikeabout it? His blue eyes trail over me, drawing me in. I can’t take the weight of his attention anymore, so I pick up my computer, sling my bag over my arm, and rise. I reach for my coffee, searching for the words to communicate how much of an asset I can be.

“Send me your rough ideas, Paisley, and I’ll send back notes. I think a little brainstorming will help us hit on the right notion.”

I nod. Now that I think about it,whyis he helping me so much? It doesn’t seem like he has a whole lot to gain here. He has to make difficult cuts, and I’m not doing what he needs. Seems easier to just let me go. “Are you doing this for everyone?”

“I’m not really at liberty to divulge the nature of anyone else’s place within the company at present,” he says carefully. “I am doing what I think is best for the paper.”

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