Page 64 of Breaking News

“I’m just a dork in a blazer.”

“Like I said. Real.” I smiled at him, and then I let out a slow exhale. “Look, you don’t have to come up with an answer yet. Take the weekend to think about it. And when you discuss it with Meghan, make sure she understands I’m doing this to help Jill.”

Chase stared at me with a knowing glint in his eyes, and I felt a flicker of unease. It felt like he could see right through me, almost like he could tell I cared about Jill more than I should.

“This is what’s best for WWTV,” I said, hoping that sounded convincing enough.

“Does Jill actually want this?”

I took a deep breath. “I’m talking to her next. Wanted to make sure I had my ducks in a row before I took this idea to her,” I said, my gaze drifting to the wilting hosta plants in the landscaping. I knew Jill wasn’t the type to accept help easily, but if I could tell her Marco and Chase were already on board, it might be just enough to get her to consider it.

With a skeptical nod and a heavy sigh, Chase said, “I’ll think about it and let you know this weekend.”

I thanked him and we shook hands like we were already sealing the deal.

As I made my way up to my office, my mind stayed on Jill, praying she’d be open to this idea. All I wanted to do was take care of her, even if she didn’t ask me to. She never would.

I called her from my office phone. “I need to talk to you in private, and I promise this is strictly WWTV business,” I said.

“Well, that’s disappointing,” she teased.

A laugh slipped out of my mouth. “I hope that’s the only disappointment, then. Hurry up and get down here.”

“Yes, sir.”Click.

I loosened my tie, trying to compose myself before she got there. I already knew the scent of her perfume would wreck my focus. Not to mention the sound of her voice. And the way those white pants hugged her ass.

Sure enough, the moment the door opened and Jill strutted in with a smile, I nearly forgot why I called her in here in the first place.

“I’m having flashbacks of getting called to the principal’s office for cutting algebra class,” she said with a laugh, closing the door. “Am I in trouble?”

I grinned as she sat down in front of my desk, wanting to say something devilishly flirty but deciding to keep it professional. “I might be the one who’s in trouble here, depending on your reaction.”

She narrowed her eyes playfully and crossed one leg over another. “What did you do?”

I folded my hands on my desk. “I’ve been thinking about how much pressure you’re under, and how you’re doing the work of two people. And I don’t think that’s fair.”

Her eyebrows drew together, but she waited for me to continue. I decided the best course of action was to just spit it out.

“I want to make Chase your co-anchor.”

“Chase?” Jill blinked a few times. “The Chase we know?”

“Yes,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Chase Monroe, the charming disaster he is. I want to shift some things around and stick him in an anchor chair.”

She stared at me for a long time without moving, like she was waiting for me to deliver a punchline. “Why?” She paused to swallow, running her fingernails along the seam of her pants. “Are people questioning my ability to handle things after my meltdown?”

My heart dropped. “No,” I said quickly. “God, no. This was entirely my idea. Nobody has said a word. In fact, from what I’ve seen and heard, everyone’s being extremely supportive. But what happened on Tuesday made it glaringly obvious we’repiling too much onto you. You’re one person doing the work of a whole team. And I…”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly feeling tight. I looked into those bright blue eyes that somehow kept showing up day after day, even when she was suffering both physically and mentally. It wasn’t fair.

And it made me angry.

At her doctor. At Silas. At Marco. At anyone else at this place who could’ve seen she was struggling and done something about it, but didn’t.

I blinked hard and glanced down at my desk, trying to push my emotions aside. “I know this might feel like I’m overstepping, but I just want to take something off your plate. You shouldn’t have to white-knuckle your way through every show. It’s not sustainable.”

Jill was frowning, but something about her relaxed posture told me she wasn’t immediately dismissing my plan. “Do you think Chase can do this?”

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