Page 79 of A Very Titan Christmas
“I can’t speak a hundred languages like Nicola.”
“Same,” he said with his mouth full.
She tore a corner off her piece and nibbled it. “I’m not like any of them.”
“Any of who?”
She raised a shoulder, reluctant to say she was talking about the wives. It wasn’t like she was comparing herself to them. She and Bryce had just started dating again. Then again, their relationship had gone from zero to one hundred. They had a past. They were living together temporarily. “Some of the people you work with.”
“I don’t work with them,” he said, missing her point—thankfully—by a mile. “And you are like Cassidy. You’re both journalists.”
Rachel snorted. “There’s a pretty big difference between an investigative journalist who has literally gone to prison to protect her sources and a travel writer.”
He paused mid-chew. “Why are you talking about yourself like that?”
“I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Babe, I have literally been on every part of you. I know what I’m getting into.” He swiped her cinnamon bread. “Are you going to eat this?”
“Yes.” She swiped it back.
He laughed and cut himself another piece.
Her phone, which was on the counter, rang. Kimberly Nashe’s name and picture lit up the screen.
“That’s the call you’ve been waiting on?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Then answer her call and collect the accolades,” Bryce said. “You know you nailed it.”
Rachel hoped he was right. She crossed her fingers and then picked up the phone. “Hello?”
“Congratulations, Rachel,” Kimberly sang into the phone. “Your article will be next December’s cover. You killed it. Just absolutely rocked it out. Even the photographs slayed. I was ready to supplement with stock photos, but there’s no need.”
“Really?” Rachel gave Bryce an ecstatic thumbs-up.
“Really. So, now, here’s the question for you. How do you feel about a trip to Miami? Your angle could be something along the lines of a vacation from winter. Seventy-degree days. No spring breakers yet. Just a little South Beach and vitamin D. What do you think?”
“I’m in.” No questions. No hesitation. The Silverberry Ridge article was exactly what she’d needed to kick her career to the next level.
After working out a few details and expectations, Kimberly promised to set up the agenda the week after Christmas.
“Good news?” Bryce asked after Rachel disconnected the call.
“The best.” Well, she thought it was the best news. But the sudden arrival of the real world shed a different light on the moment. “I’m headed to Florida in a couple weeks.”
“Congrats.”
“Thanks. Do you know where you’ll be?”
“Nope. And I won’t know until a problem comes up and Boss Man says go.”
Rachel pursed her lips.
“What’s that look for?” he asked then seemed to understand. “Real life is knocking, huh?”
“Guess so.” After he’d taken her home from the hospital, they’d talked in generalities about the future. They had jobs to do. They would be in different places. But they could also meet in the middle. They could find each other. They could travel. The possibilities were endless. But now, they had specifics. “What do you think the chances are for an assignment in Miami?”
