Page 79 of Breaking News

“What did I say?”

I just smiled. “Who else did you meet?”

“Well, Sarah and Owen welcomed us in, and a very nice boy named Xander got me a lemonade.”

It was a good thing I wasn’t drinking anything yet, because I might’ve spit it out all over my mom’s face. I kept my face neutral, glancing toward Graham, who quickly raised his beer to his lips like he, too, wanted to laugh.

I turned back to my mom. “Have you guys met my boss?”

She shook her head, politely smiling at Graham. “I don’t think we have.”

I gestured to Graham as he took a step closer. “This is Graham Harlowe, our interim CEO.”

My dad extended his hand to give Graham a nice, firm handshake. “Nice to meet you.”

But my mom, never one to do things halfway, pulled Graham into her for a hug, the sudden movement nearly knocking him off balance. “Sorry, I’m a hugger,” she said, and Graham just let out a deep laugh.

“No apology necessary. I come from a long line of huggers myself.”

I watched my mom beam up at Graham, taking a step back like she was appraising him. “Well, if the CEO of WWTV is here, it must mean our Jillian is pretty special around there, huh?”

Graham’s expression softened a little more. “She’s the glue that holds the whole network together.”

I giggled, feeling a strange mix of pride and awkwardness creeping up in my chest as I listened to Graham and my parents continue to talk about me. My mom told him about the fake news desk I set up in our living room when I was eight, and Graham’s gentle laugh was so sweet, I forgot this story usually embarrassed me.

The night had just begun, but it already felt perfect.

Eventually, I made my way around the yard, mingling with different groups of people and catching up with old friends. After the sun dipped low in the sky, someone flipped on the patio lights, and the backyard transformed into something magical. The colorful pennants overhead flapped in the night breeze, and someone hooked up a speaker over on the patio; because if there was one thing missing, it was definitely Lady Gaga.

Meghan appeared by my side to feed me a piece of pink cotton candy. “Renting that machine is the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. And then she leaned close to my ear to add, “Graham funded this, by the way. All of it. Wouldn’t let the Gardners spend a dime. It was his idea to get your mom and dad up here, too.”

My whole body felt warm. I turned toward Graham, who was now on the other side of the yard with Olivia, giving her a goodbye hug. She had some other party to attend with Richie. “Why does he care about me, Meghan?” I whispered.

“Why wouldn’t he?”

Because I had nothing I could give him in return?

I didn’t answer her out loud, because Kendall informed us the icing on my birthday cake was melting. Before I knew it, I was blowing out my candles, almost tearing up again as I glanced at all the people who were here to celebrateme. I zeroed in on Graham, who was watching me with that sweet, quiet smile of his. The crinkles in the corners of his eyes almost made me melt right along with the cake.

None of these people knew this man would probably have me tied to a headboard sometime in the next six hours.

I was dying to steal a moment alone with him, but people approached me all night. Some handed me gifts, asking how I was doing after my little on-air meltdown. Others wanted to know how I felt about my new co-anchor.

Thank you.

I’m fine.

He’s actually great.

When the repetitive conversations became too much, I snuck away to the kitchen to refill my drink. I stood in the Gardners’ kitchen and downed my boozy lemonade, enjoying a moment of silence and the air conditioning.

Xander stepped inside a moment later, glancing over his shoulder as he shut the door behind him. “Hey,” he said, putting his hands in his pockets.

It was ninety degrees out, and he was still wearing jeans.

“No cornhole for you, huh?” I teased.

He smiled from one side of his mouth. “Abigail’s determined to get me to play against her before the night’s over.” He cleared his throat. “We’ll see.”

---