Page 55 of Exclusive

Beneath the covers, Carrie moved her hips side-to-side and did her Rory impersonation. “Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.”

“Oh my God, that actually sounds like him.”

“It should. I’ve spent close to a decade next to that guy.”

“When is it that you’re leaving for your trip? The conference.”

“Two weeks. I’ll miss you. It’s a shame you can’t come with me.” A pause. “Well…now that I’m thinking about it, can you?”

I thought on it. “Really? I might be able to put in for the conference. Or take time off on my own.” I pushed up onto my elbows and frowned. “Are you sure you mean it?” I didn’t want to overstep if she was just talking out loud, but taking a trip together and getting to be there for Carrie’s big speech would be nothing short of amazing.

“Of course I mean it.” She looked at me, really looked at me, and I understood. “I always want you around. Don’t you know that?”

My swollen heart felt ready to burst. “I do now. And yes, I want to go!”

“Settled, then. You’re coming.” She smiled and her eyes danced with happiness. “Look out, Denver.”

“They’re not gonna know what hit ’em.”

It shouldn’t have been too difficult to convince Kristin to give me a couple of days off, or better yet, let me attend the conference on behalf of the station. But I was aware that I’d waited pretty late to put in my request.

“So, how would you feel about me attending the PSJ conference this year?” I asked her. We’d been chatting casually in her office that morning before the day took off and we’d not have time to connect again. It had become our new informal routine, a checking in with each other.

She shifted her lips to the side, taking in my query. “Does this have anything to do with Carrie’s speech?”

We had too many people in common for me to try and sidestep the implication. She had to know we were seeing each other. Emory and Lucy were best friends. I grinned, acquiescing. “Sure. It definitely motivates me to want to be there. It’s also a great opportunity to learn, mingle, rub elbows.”

She pursed her lips in thought. “I want you to talk to Tam about it.” Apparently, this was a bigger ask than I’d realized, and I’d have to go up the ladder. “In fact, let’s talk to him together right now.”

She stood and walked past me down the hall to Tam’s office. I followed, curious and now a little intimidated. We found him making strides on his new treadmill desk. He raised a hand when we entered and slowed his pace. “Hey.”

Kristin walked all the way into the office and closed the door behind us. “Skyler is interested in attending the PSJ conference in Denver this year. Interesting, huh?”

That had his attention. In fact, he stopped the treadmill function altogether. His brow furrowed. “No, no, no. You can’t do that.”

My heart sank. “Well, if you don’t want me to attend on behalf of the station, could I request those days off and go on my own time?”

Tam tented his fingers on his desk and Kristin looked on. “You could. That’s one option.”

Okay, good. This could still work out.

“Another is you stay here and anchor the five and ten while Carrie’s away.”

Silence. Holy hell and a half. “You want me to anchor. Why?” My brain was struggling to stay in the race and hadn’t caught up to my mouth or the room.

Kristin stepped in. “We’re always looking to groom new talent, and our audiences have taken a liking to you. It’s a great chance for some anchor experience, too.”

“You test well,” Tam said and took a giant bite of a full-sized carrot like Bugs Bunny himself. “Really well. And you’re new and fresh. What do you say?”

I grappled. This was a chance that didn’t come around every day. Ever, actually. “Well, there’s no way I can say no to that.” I looked from Kristin to Tam. “Is there?”

Tam looked confused. “It would surprise me if you did.”

“It’s a pretty big deal,” Kristin added.

Excitement bubbled and overtook every other plan I had. I’d miss going on the trip with Carrie, but she was someone who would understand the gravity of this opportunity. Plus, we would have more trips ahead of us. I’d happily plan one myself.

“I’d love to fill in,” I said decisively.

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