Zane’s landline rings, and he walks back to his desk to answer. As soon as he picks up the receiver, he signals for us to quiet down. We do, while also taking the opportunity to eavesdrop on the conversation. Zane is in charge of distribution and it sounds like he’s negotiating with some other news outlet who wants to air the interview. And I don’t want to be too optimistic, but it seems like he’s talking to a TV network.

TV or not, I don’t finish listening in on the conversation because, at that moment, Richard walks through the front doors. Too happy to see him, I get up and almost run toward him. I catch myself just in time and stop a few feet away. Was I really about to launch myself at him and throw my arms around his neck?

“Hi,” I say. “Where were you? The interview went live an hour ago!”

Richard gives me an awkward smile. “I hit a bit of a road bump.”

“Oh, what happened?”

“I had to see Aurora.”

Ice spreads through my veins. “Vanderbilt?”

“The one and only.”

“Why?”

Richard sighs. “I wanted to give her fair warning. I didn’t want her to go to work today and get blindsided by the story breaking.” He shrugs. “I owed her that much.”

“I’m sure her mother must’ve told her by now,” I say a bit too aggressively.

“No, apparently she hadn’t. And anyway, nobody knew we were going live today, so…”

That’s very decent of him. I still wish he hadn’t done it. The thought of him and Aurora together, no matter the circumstances, makes me see red.

“How did she take it?”

“At first she wouldn’t believe me. I don’t think she was involved in the fraud. Her mother must’ve kept all their shady dealings from her.”

“And after you explained, did she believe you?”

“Oh, no.” Richard shakes his head. “Once the shock was over, she got mental! She tried to convince me not to publish the interview and once I refused, she… ah… threw her coffee at me.”

I cover my mouth with one hand. “Did you get burned?”

“No, it was iced. But I still had to go home and change.”

Right, his curls still seem a bit damp. Mmm, I have to fight hard with my limbs not to run a hand up the back of his neck.

“Anyway.” Richard moves toward the group assembled at my desk. “How are the first responses?”

Ada clicks the mouse. “Sixty thousand views already.”

“Social media is going crazy,” Saffron says.

“CNN wants to run the story on CNN Today!” Zane puffs his chest out.

“CNN,” I screech. “Are you kidding me?”

“I kid you not!” He smiles.

Richard pats my shoulder. “Well done!”

I beam at him, trying not to melt under his touch.