Page 111 of Breaking News

“People have been reading them out loud to me,” she said, and I glanced past her at everyone standing around the studio, once again pretending they weren’t watching us. Reading our body language. Trying to guess our fate. “Someone said I’m three-timing it with you, Chase, and Xander.”

“Wow. You’ve been busy.”

A grin slowly spread across her face. “So, is it okay with you if I talk about you on-air tomorrow, to the viewers?”

Of course it was. But it wasn’t exactly up to me.

“Yes, but please,pleaserun this past HR. I don’t need you getting into any more trouble than you already are.”

“Duly noted.”

I leaned forward to kiss her forehead, letting my lips linger there for a moment. Then, tilting her head back with one hand, I kissed her lips. Who cared that we had an audience? It didn’t bother me, and it sure as hell didn’t seem to bother her. She kissed me back like she wanted to give them something to talk about.

After a moment, I pulled away and glanced again toward the studio. “Also, I might not technically be their boss anymore, but if they read aloud one more negative comment to you, I swear I’m gonna wring their necks.”

She grinned again, but it faded as quickly as it came. Her gaze drifted to the glass wall, then back to me. “It’s killing me, not knowing who made that original post. Someone out there wanted to stir this up to humiliate us. And it could be someone we thought supported us.”

She looked into my eyes like she was asking a question, and I knew exactly what it was.

“It’s not Andrea,” I said gently. “Olivia’s mom wouldn’t do that. You have to trust me on that.”

Jill nodded. “Okay. I trust you.”

We pulled apart, and on the other side of the glass, everyone shifted like they knew we were about to emerge with some official announcement. “I have to go write a letter and clean out my desk,” I said, leading the way so I could hold the door open for her.

“You’d better come find me when you’re done,” Jill said. “Let me walk you out.”

“I will.” I nodded, putting my hand on the small of her back as we stepped out of the conference room. Crossing that threshold felt like stepping into the next chapter of my life. The uncertainty terrified me, but losing her would have been the greater risk. And even as I approached Olivia, staring into her wide, worried eyes, I knew everything was going to be okay.

chapter forty-one

Jillian

“Before we get into today’s headlines, I’d like to take a moment to address some rumors that have been floating around online.”

I held my posture steady with my hands folded in front of me on the desk. The teleprompter was blank for this part because this wasn’t scripted. I’d cleared it with Marco and HR the prior afternoon. Considering the official WWTV Facebook page made a post announcing Graham’s departure, only fueling more inflammatory comments, staying silent didn’t really seem like an option.

I inhaled, doing my best to ignore the dull throb in my lower back. The meds just needed time to kick in. Relief was coming, and that thought alone helped me steady my breath.

“The short version is,” I continued, “some of the rumors are true. Ihavebeen in a relationship with our CEO, Graham Harlowe, who has now resigned. And yes, we kept it private, not because we were ashamed, but because we were navigating a complicated situation the best way we knew how. Falling in lovewith Graham was not something I planned to do this summer, but I’m so glad it happened.”

I paused to let the truth settle, looking into the camera with a close-lipped smile I couldn’t fight anymore.

The studio was silent. Beside me, Chase was completely still, his eyes fixed on me. Olivia lingered by the monitors in her usual arms-crossed stance, but she was just as frozen. Meghan stood just off-camera, pressing her hands together in front of her lips and nodding like the proud friend she was. Even Elaine hovered near the studio doors, waiting to hear what I’d say next.

I noticed all of them in my peripheral vision, but I swallowed and kept going, my smile fading.

“Some of you have made some pretty harsh comments, but that’s nothing new. When you work in this industry, you get used to judgment. Over the years, I’ve read comments about my weight, my makeup, my clothes, and even my accent.

“But here’s the thing: putting myself out there like this every morning means I’m always going to be a target for criticism. That’s part of the job. I just ask you to remember that… I’m a real person. I have a family, friends, and a life outside whatever screen you’re watching me on.”

Chase nodded beside me.

And then I heard Marco in my ear. “Great job, but wrap it up,” he rushed out.

“And so does Graham,” I continued, hurrying. “He’s more than just a man in a suit. He’s a local father, a teacher, a mentor, a neighbor, and a friend to many. He deserves grace, too. I hope you can keep that in mind before you post comments online.” I turned to Chase. “Anyway, that’s all I have.”

Chase gave me a nod before turning to the camera. “Not really feeling great about following that speech up with a report about the sewage plant, but here goes.”

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