Natalie waved him off. Why was everyone second-guessing her? “You’re just mad I got this scoop without you, producer,” She pulled the mirror out of her makeup bag to do the once-over—hair, eyelashes, smile—and felt uneasy about what she saw.

“Earth to Natalie,” Matt said, perched at the edge of her desk. “I’m saying, you’re not going to get it on air. Not if Bibb’s involved. She is not, repeat not, your friend. She is one hundred percent Team Ryan.”

Why was he so opposed to everything she did?

“Bibb may not be the best bet for my future success, or humanity’s, but she won’t want another network to report this first,” Natalie said, determined to cling to something. “Besides,” she added, pointing at the TV where Nelly was doing rapid-fire questioning of all twelve pundits in boxes. “It would be impossible for me to get on air without her.”

“You should have told her you have big news, without saying what it is,” Matt said. “Whet her appetite without showing all your cards.”

“Should I also beware of putting the cart before the horse but hold off on counting my chickens? I’m not entirely clear on the rules of mixed-metaphor cage fighting, but I’m pretty sure the fact that mine at least are somewhat consistent makes me the winner.”

If his dourpuss expression was anything to go by, Matt did not agree. “Make fun if you want, but I’m trying to help you. She’s a Machiavellian monster and she’s going to screw you if she gets the chance.”

Natalie put up a hand. “Abuse metaphors if you must but please leave screwing out of it.”

“Ho ho, sounds like I came in at just the right time,” Hal said, bustling between them. He looked flushed, and Natalie hoped it was because of his errand, not what he’d overheard. “Great news! Bibb is dying for the story. We just spoke to New York, they want Natalie on air ASAP. Live from the third-floor flash studio now!”

“Thank you, Hal!” Natalie smiled at him, hating herself for feeling gratitude. For a moment she almost understood why management kept Hal around. He got things done.

She turned her beam on Matt. “Aren’t we lucky to have Hal and Bibb in our corner?”

“You’re going to regret this,” Matt said in a low voice.

“Want to bet?” she yelled back over her shoulder as she walked toward the elevator. At the last moment she swerved and turned to take the stairs instead.