Page 83 of Love on the Byline

“No.”

“Well, this time you are. You wouldn’t want Blake to sit allby herself while I work the room, would you?” Bran winked at her, and she felther cheeks heat. Not from his wink, never that. But the idea of spending anevening like that with Ollie...it was too tempting.

She glared at Bran. What was he playing at? His attempts toplay matchmaker were even more suspicious, now. She was about to decline hisinvitation, but when Ollie turned to look at her, the hope in his eyes was undeniable.

“I need to drive home in the morning anyway.”

Bran grinned like he’d won a hand of poker. “Grab somethingshiny. We’ll be on the red carpet.”

18

If nothing else,Brandon Cody knows what he is and doesn’t pretend to be what he’s not unlesssomeone is paying him to do so. When asked why he chose a career that puts sucha strain on his fitness, diet, and personal life, Cody likened himself to anathlete. It’s an apt comparison, and one I hadn’t thought of. The more I pull backthe curtains, the more I realize they’re sheer. With Cody, what you see is whatyou get.

No More Pictures, Please: the Trajectory of a ShootingStar by Blake Dillon for the L.A. Gazette

Blake sat across from Gideon, her leg bouncing as he readover the rough she’d sent that morning.

“I know it’s thin at the moment, but I promise I’m makingheadway.”

He sat back in his chair and looked at her, his expressionunreadable.

“Gid,” she begged. “Come on, you’re killing me.”

One corner of his mouth lifted. “You know, I give you a lot ofshit for the school you attended and your...pedigree, or whatnot, but I have tosay. You’re good, Dillon. You’re really good.”

The bubble of anxiety that had settled in her chest popped,leaving behind blessed relief.

“You’re right, it’s thin, but I can see where you’re goingwith it,” her editor continued. “I think it’ll be a really good piece whenyou’re done, if you can dive deeper into his psyche.”

“I will,” she said eagerly. “I’ll dive so deep I’ll need anoxygen tank, I promise.”

They both winced.

“That sounded better in my head,” she said.

“I’m sure.”

“Hey,” she leaned in, lowering her voice to almost awhisper. “Did you find out anything else about...what we talked about on thephone?”

Gideon glanced behind her. “Close the door.”

She scrambled to do so before returning to her seat.

“I’m only telling you this because you might be able to shedsome light on it, while you’re trailing Cody,” he began. “You were right aboutthere being a second story. For some reason, Sonja’s keeping it close to thevest.”

“It has to do with Valerie Saunders?”

He nodded. “The allegation is that Cody and Saunders arehaving an affair.”

Blake frowned. “That’s it? I mean, I don’t condoneextra-marital relations, unless both spouses agree, but this seems like a lotof cloak and dagger for an affair.”

“Cody would likely lose his chance at the Captain Skyfranchise.”

“He’s a dude. He’d bounce back, but Valerie?”

“She wouldn’t,” Gideon agreed. “And she met her husband,Sam, on set. When he was married.”

“Oh. Shit.”

---