Bailey: What’s your schedule like the Saturday after next?

Chase: Practice at eight Saturday, off Sunday.

Bailey: Perfect. I have an exciting proposition for you.

Chase: Keep talking.

Bailey: I’ve got my hands on a pair of super hot tickets to…

Bailey: Callingwood’s volleyball game in Roseford.

Chase: And I have the text version of blue balls.

Chase: Just kidding. If it’s with you, I’m down.

Bailey: It’s our team’s finals. But…it’s 1.5 hours away, early Saturday afternoon. Does that work? I would give you gas money.

Chase: Of course, and not a chance.

Bailey: You never let me pay for things.

Chase: Never will. Sorry, James.

34. personal shopper

CHAPTER 34

PERSONAL SHOPPER

Bailey

I perched at the table in the Callingwood Daily office with Noelle and Zara, trying to finish my part of a group project for Ethical Issues in Journalism and Communications. Knowing I’d see Chase later always made it difficult to focus, but today was especially challenging because he was picking me up later for the volleyball game—followed by sex toy shopping.

What had I gotten myself into?

I hadn’t even told Noelle or Zara, though I knew they’d cheer me on if I did.

“Bailey,” Professor Johnson said, lingering in the doorway. “Can we chat quickly in my office for a moment?”

I glanced up from my laptop. “Sure.” I shut it quickly and slid it into my bag, then followed her out of the room and down the hall to her office.

Professor Johnson was the epitome of laid-back, down to her untameable frizzy gray hair and colorful floor-length skirts. A hippie in her youth, she’d racked up countless journalism awards for her coverage of international affairs. As our faculty advisor for the paper, she tended to give us a long leash. But she did check in with us every now and then when we needed guidance or when something went truly off the rails.

She lowered herself into her desk chair, gesturing for me to have a seat. “I wanted to touch base with you about taking over for Liam. I know it was sudden.”

“I’m excited,” I said, sinking into the red cloth chair across from her. “I’ve always wanted to handle the sports coverage.”

Professor Johnson raised her salt-and-pepper eyebrows. “Are you sure you can manage it on top of your other responsibilities? I know you have a heavy course load, and I don’t want to overwhelm you.”

“No, it won’t be a problem.”

I just might have to make a few sacrifices. Like sleep. Or possibly my sanity. You know, those minor negotiable things.