Page 35 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

Saying that the episode goes over well would be an understatement. My interview with Grant Neville is the most talked about episode in the history of my showperiod. I’m getting coverage on national morning shows and even getting some international interest as well.

I have to wonder at what cost, though.

Because seeing Grant again, being in his vicinity, and feeling his aura…stirred all the feelings I’d been trying to keep down.

Don’t get me wrong, our conversation about love was all I needed to know that Grant and me together would be an absolute trainwreck. As if I didn’t know that before. Though our opinions on love match to a t, it’s clear he doesn’t respect my experience based on my age. I won’t put up with that.

No way, no how.

However, Grant has now become my calling card. Everyone wants to know how I snagged the interview. I’m honest with them. I know a guy and that guy happens to be my dad. Then they want to know what he was like. And I have to describe to people what Grant is like, veiling any feelings of desire I’ve had for him. It’s enough to drive a person mad.

I’ve also gotten some hate online for featuring Grant on the show.

Didn’t realize we were trying to humanize billionaires now,is one comment that sticks out in my mind like a sore thumb.

The goal of my show is to humanize everybody. Because…that’s what we all are. Humans.

I try to ignore the haters.

This effort is made easier when Gina is so fucking impressed with me. She won’t shut up about my star turn of an interview with Grant Neville.

I have to say, it’s nice to have the program manager wanting to talk to me in a positive way for once.

“Listen, the Auras are tomorrow night and they reached out because they had an award presenter drop,” Gina says while focused on stirring up her overnight oats. “They want you to do it.”

I blink, unsure if I’m trapped in a dream. “Uh, what?”

“You heard me, Harley, don’t act like you didn’t hear me,” Gina replies.

I watch her chew on a spoonful of cold oats while I consider what she’s just said. The Auras are only a few years old but they’re the foremost awards in audio broadcasting, acknowledging all modern mediums including podcasts, audiobooks, radio shows…the list goes on. They’re not televised like the Grammys or Oscars, but they’re at that level. To win an Aura is a crowning achievement.

“Who knows, maybe this season you can submit your episode with Grant Neville for consideration,” Gina goes on, mouth full of oats. She swallows loudly. “So, will you do it?”

“Y-yes! Yes. Absolutely.”

“Great,” she grins. There’s a chia seed stuck between her front two teeth. “I’ll forward you all the information.”

As I leave her office, my heart races with excitement and nerves. This is a big deal. Even if I’m not nominated myself, I’mpresenting.

Then it hits me. I have to find something to wear. Andfast.

* * *

After work,I hurry out to meet with Kira. Though she’s the quiet one and the most practical with her style, she has the best eye for color. Plus, she keeps it real. If something looks nice, she always makes sure it’s actually comfortable. I’ve been saved many times by Kira’s logic.

We end up settling on a slinky green dress with a mock turtleneck that makes me look like a snake about to shed its skin. It’s thin enough that I won’t burn up under the studio lights and fitted enough that it shows off all of my assets.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet someone who will take my mind and my body off Grant Neville.

However, tonight, just as many nights before, I dream of him.

In the weeks following our first encounter, my mind kept replaying our time in the treehouse to varying degrees of weirdness. Sometimes the treehouse was floating in midair, other times our bodies would start to fade into each other. Every time, however, we were having sex. And the dreams were always euphoric.

This one is different.

I’m in control. I can tell I’m in a dream. I don’t have to guess, don’t have to worry.

We’re in the studio.Mystudio. Sitting across from each other.

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