Cover

Dedication

To Kayne.

For supporting me one hundred percent

while I explore the world in my head.

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CHAPTER 1

Aria Simons hovered just inside her boss, Derek’s, office, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. Derek had summoned her and her colleague Johnny Chen, the sports reporter for the South Canterbury Chronicle, to his office a few minutes ago with no explanation. It made her nervous. Aria loved her job reporting on local community issues and generally sailed under the radar, avoiding contact with upper management. In her last job, appearing too friendly with management had gotten her in trouble, and she’d been determined not to repeat her previous mistakes when she started at the Chronicle.

Johnny leaned against the doorframe beside Aria, both of them uncomfortable being singled out by Derek, who looked totally in control, poring over tomorrow’s articles behind his massive oak desk. He hadn’t glanced up since they entered, although he knew they were there. Power play. How Aria hated it.

Finally, he raised his head. “Miss Simons, Mr. Chen, thank you for coming. You may have heard that Kaia Anglem has resigned.”

Aria shook her head and glanced at Johnny, who seemed equally surprised. “When does she leave?”

“Four weeks. She handed in her letter yesterday. She’s moving to the Christchurch Press.”

Aria clutched her stomach as it roiled uncomfortably. The Press. Even the name dredged up a host of unpleasant memories. Wilson Jones’ creepy advances, the judgement, the censure. She prayed Kaia would be smarter than she’d been.

“She’ll be missed,” Johnny replied. He’d pushed off from his position against the doorframe and stood tall, his arms folded over his chest. “And she’ll leave a real gap in the organization.”

Ah, now she realized why they were here. The pain in her stomach fizzled out, replaced by excitement, and she fought to hide a grin. It wouldn’t do to get ahead of herself.

“Exactly.” Derek was smiling now. “I’ve spoken with the other editors, and they’ve nominated the two of you for promotion to Kaia’s position as senior reporter.”

“That’s fantastic,” Aria began, but Derek silenced her with a hand gesture.

“Unfortunately, as you see, there is one position and two of you.”

Aria met Johnny’s eyes and saw them narrow. As a natural athlete, being competitive was in his blood. In contrast, Aria had kept her competitive side under wraps since leaving the Press. She’d always thought of her Type A personality as an advantage, until suddenly it wasn’t. Putting it behind her had taken a lot of effort, and she just knew Derek was about to bring it to the fore.