by Kim Law
He shook his head. “It’s what you’ve always wanted, not me. I’ve never wanted anything of the sort.”
“Really?” She slowly rose from the couch. “But I thought…”
He raised his eyebrows and waited. What could she possibly have thought?
“I thought you wanted to follow in your father’s footsteps.”
He began to laugh again, this time it was more relief than stress. “You’ve told me that for so long, I honestly had no idea what I did want. But I promise you this. I’ve got it figured out now.”
“The announcement is tomorrow.”
“I’m canceling it.”
“Because of everything you’ve learned today?”
“Because it’s not what I want.”
“Okay,” she said, almost to herself. He could see her mind working on how to spin this turn of events.
He studied her, beginning to understand his mother for the first time in his life. He didn’t have to agree with everything she did, but he got that she made choices based on what she thought was the right thing for their family. And even for the illegitimate child that would never be a part of their family. He had to love her for that.
He softened his features to let her know that he forgave her as best he could, and wondered how long it would take for her to reach the same conclusion he had already come to. He decided not to wait and see.
“Why don’t you go for it, Mom?” He spoke gently. “You’re the one who loves politics so much. Get Douglas to appoint you as Mitchell’s replacement.”
The idea pleased her, he could see. That made him happy. As long as she kept her nose out of his onslaught to win Vega back, all would eventually be okay between the two of them.
She stood a little straighter. “You think?”
He chuckled. “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”
“Not seriously, no. I always assumed you wanted it. I’d planned to spend my time helping you.”
“Well think about it now.” He pushed off the window, feeling happier than he had in years. “One thing, though.”
“What’s that?”
“You might have to keep holding him off for a few more years if he’s going to put you in office.”
Wide-eyed innocence marked her features, but guilt-laden heat colored her cheeks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jackson. Douglas and I are nothing but friends.”
“Sure, Mom. Keep saying it if that makes you feel better, but we both know he’s sweet on you. And you’re likely just as sweet on him.” He crossed to his desk. He was oddly enjoying the moment with his mother, but he had plans to put into action. He needed to get busy.
She sniffed and moved to the door. “I can see you have things to do, so I’m going to step out now.”
“Thanks, Mom.” His picked up the receiver, intending to try Vega one more time. “Before you go…”
She glanced back. “What?”
He hated to risk ruining the silent truce that seemed to have forged between them within the last few minutes, but couldn’t let her go without making sure she understand Vega’s importance. “I’m going to figure out a way to get Vega back. Don’t release any kind of statement that involves her at all. She and I will figure that out once I convince her she needs me in her life.”
She nodded, pride and love shining his way. “Love is a wonderful thing, Jackson. Don’t ever take it for granted.”
“That I can promise.”
Seconds after she departed, Beverly stuck her head in. “Anything I can do for you, boss?”
Her total support had been the one thing he’d always been able to count on in his life. Hers and Cat’s. He suddenly knew what he had to do. He waved Beverly inside and began making plans.
CHAPTER THIRTY
THE FINAL SECONDS of the video counted down, and the tension in Vega’s shoulders lifted to the air. She leaned back in her chair, feeling smug. She’d done it. She’d made a really terrific piece.
She glanced over at Bob, wondering what his response would be. Both nerves and excitement had warred in her all night as she’d waited to show it to him. “Well?”
Her mentor scratched his jaw, his gaze lingering on the now-empty screen, and slowly nodded. Finally he faced her. “I knew you’d be good, hon, but this blows the cover off even what I thought. You’re magic with knowing exactly what to show to draw emotion from the viewer, while also keeping the scenery and background as interesting as what’s going on in the forefront.” He nodded his head in a steady pattern as pride edged up his features. “Simply terrific.”
A smile exploded on her face. It was the first real one in the last twenty-four hours, and though a little stiff, it felt good. “Thanks.”
Bob moved to stand in front of the screen, his body language saying that he was still in thought. They were in the station’s viewing room, just the two of them, and his features suddenly turned to concern. The light of the projector went out as he faced her. “You doing okay?”
Ah, they were going to talk about “that.” She shrugged, embarrassed to acknowledge to him who she was, and that she’d kept it from him all these years. “As well as can be expected.”
Concern shone back at her, easing her discomfort, but just barely. “I honestly didn’t know whether to expect you back here or not. Thought you might disappear, at least until this died down.”
Her cheeks heated. She had considered the idea. Getting away from the hotel had been rough, but fury had stirred deeper than her need to hide. Also, she’d already decided, no one was going to run her off ever again. After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong, now or then.
Other than falling in love.
She gritted her back teeth at the thought. No one had to know that JP had been anything more than a fling. She tried to reclaim the smile she’d had only moments before. “I had a job to finish. I wasn’t raised to ditch out on a job, and especially not to someone who’s been so good to me over the years.”
Bob nodded. “You’ve grown since I met you.”
She had, but she didn’t know exactly what he meant. “I’ve learned a lot under you, Bob. And I thank you very much.”
“I’m not talking about your skill. I’m talking about growing as a person.” He cocked his head. “When I first met you, you wouldn’t have come back yesterday. Especially not after everything had been put back out there like that.”
He was most likely right. Hell, who was she kidding, he was totally right. From the botched exit of the hotel to the resurgence of the sex tape, she would’ve ducked her head like an ostrich and hit the road, not coming up for weeks.
Instead, she’d phoned her lawyer, requested he once again get the videos taken down, then she’d stiffened her back as if completely in the right, and ignored every single question thrown her way. What was she doing with JP? Had she already gotten an engagement ring? Why had she set out to ruin Ted? What had his wife ever done to her? Would she really have gone so far as to kill his wife?
She’d headed to Savannah, knowing it would be a madhouse trying to enter the station, but what she’d worried about most—aside from wondering if JP had seen the video and what he thought of her now—was what Bob would think of her. She’d been sick over the thought of his shame.
The occasional snicker had reached her ears as she’d entered, but Bob had been nothing but supportive. The fact that she hadn’t gone home—first editing her story, then sleeping on a cot, because she couldn’t stomach the thought of stepping outside—hadn’t gone unnoticed by her friend.
She nodded. “You’re right. I wouldn’t have been able to stand tall and deal with all this eight years ago. It was still too raw.”
“And you felt you’d done something wrong.”
A burning ache gnawed at the base of her throat. “Yeah, I was pretty sure I’d done something wrong.”
He returned to the seat beside her. “And now?”
“Now?” She lowered her head to the cushion and stared at the r
ectangular panels of the ceiling. “Now, I still feel bad for being a part of something that hurt his wife so terribly, but I didn’t do anything wrong. All I did was believe in love.”
He patted her knee and she took comfort in the touch. He probably would have come to Atlanta and rescued her himself if she hadn’t had the courage to push through the crowds.
“I have something to admit,” he spoke quietly. She raised her head, the room suddenly sizzling with electricity.
She repeatedly clicked the pen in her hands, the ink cartridge pushing in and out. “What’s that?”
His gaze found a spot on the opposite wall. “I’ve always known who you are.”
“What?” Her eyes bugged, and her breathing became heavy.
He nodded, facing her with chagrin. “I’m sorry. I should have told you a long time ago, it just wasn’t something that I could easily bring up in conversation.”
Shock held her to the seat. “But…how? I changed my hair, my looks. I made myself as plain as I could possibly get.”
She glanced down at the clothes she was wearing today, one of the outfits she’d bought in Atlanta. She was tired of hiding behind plainness.
Bob laughed softly, then shrugged, a bit of a smug smile on his face. “I didn’t win all those awards on my wall for nothing, kid. I sensed something was weighing pretty heavy on you and went in search of the answer. Of course, I was blown away to realize who I’d just hired, but that didn’t change my opinion of you.”
She was almost afraid to ask. “And what was that opinion?”
She’d definitely been a different person when she’d first graduated from school and landed the job here.
He reached over and patted her knee once more. “I thought I’d just hired someone who would one day become one of the best. I could see my drive in you, and I wanted to do everything I could to help you get there.”
Pride swelled in her at his words, and before she could ask, he gave a nod. “And yes, you’ve lived up to all my expectations.”
Love grew inside her. She was definitely going to miss this man, no matter where she ended up. “I can’t go back to Atlanta today, Bob.” She looked over at him. “Can you send Darrin to cover the press conference?”
“He’s already on his way. I can’t say he was upset about the fact.”
She chuckled, a soft, exhausted sound. “I’m sure that’s an understatement.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Vega looked over at her boss. “I appreciate you putting in a good word for me in Atlanta.”
“But?”
He knew her so well. “But I don’t want to be a videographer anymore.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “No. At least not a regular news photographer. There are stories I want to tell, yes, but stories that touch people’s hearts. And I want to be the one in front of the camera when I report on them. It’s what I’ve always wanted.”
Bob reached one long arm over and wrapped it around her shoulders. He squeezed her to his side so hard she thought the metal arm of the seat might crack one of her ribs. “That a girl.”
Rightness filled her. She rested her cheek on his shoulder and breathed out a long breath.
“I’m going to do absolutely everything I can to get a position reporting on exactly the kind of stories I believe in.”
He pointed a finger at the screen. “You show them what you just showed me, my dear, and you’ll get a chance anywhere you want it.”
“You think?” Pride took hold inside her and ballooned in size.
“Not a doubt in the world.”
She sat up and eyed him, wanting to make sure he wasn’t just saying what she wanted to hear. “Even with my past? And everyone talking about me again?”
“Even then. But for your sake, I think you need to come clean. Clear the air about it all.”
Her brow scrunched together. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, tell your story. Ted Pritchard may be out of your life and out of the picture, but his lies still haunt you. They cripple you to the point that you continue to worry you did something wrong.” He shook his head. “It’s time to quit hiding, Vega. Completely. Stand up, fight back, and go take everything you want.”
His speech resonated within her. Both because she thought he might be right, but also because without even asking, he believed in her. He trusted that Ted had been at fault without asking for her explanation.
Maybe it was time to take what she wanted. But the thing was, she also wanted JP.
Sadness feathered over her heart. He’d called several times the day before, but she hadn’t wanted to talk. With the combination of realizing he wouldn’t be standing up to his mother, and Greta accosting her in the hotel lobby, Vega hadn’t been able to stomach the thought of dealing with one more thing. She’d needed escape. So she’d taken it.
But since returning to Savannah, she’d been doing a lot of thinking about JP. And she missed him. A lot. Was she really ready to give him up without a fight? And if she wasn’t, that meant she’d have to risk being in the daily glare of the tabloids.
She had no idea if she could even convince him to take the chance on her.
All kinds of footage had floated around since Greta had outed her. She might be too much trouble in his eyes. After all, it wasn’t like he’d called even once today.
Vega sighed and pushed her maudlin thoughts to the back of her mind. She pressed her palms down on the armrests, propelling herself up. “Thanks, Bob. I think you might be right.”
He winked. “Want me to set you up to make a statement?”
“Oh, no.” She shook her head. “We’re doing better than that. I want a press conference. First though, I have makeup and hair to do, along with new shoes to buy. If I’m going to announce to the world I did nothing wrong and have no reason to hide, then I’m going to come back in my own way.”
A laugh echoed through the small room as Bob rose and patted her on the back. “That’s my girl. I’m proud of you.”
She straightened with pride. She was back, and she wasn’t letting anyone push her down again.
And if that meant living the rest of her life without JP because he couldn’t handle being by her side…well, she’d eventually get over him. But she would be glad to have known him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
VEGA TIPPED UP the bottle of water and drained it, her throat parched with nerves before ever taking a step outside to the waiting crowd. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Five minutes.
She wiggled her fingers at her side, trying to calm the anxiety, but nothing was working. This was going to be brutal. And she’d set this up herself, so she had no one to blame. She turned to Bob.
“You can do it,” he soothed.
“I’m not sure,” she groaned. She wanted to chew on her nails—a habit she’d broken years ago as a teenager—but the sight of the French-tipped acrylics reminded her she was different today. She was herself again.
She glanced in the glass door of the darkened office to her right and studied her reflection. A little curvier than she’d once been, her skin not quite as youthful, but all in all, she still had it. And though the makeup wasn’t so heavy to totally change her appearance, she absolutely hadn’t lost her touch.
She fingered a curl draped over her shoulder. There was a good chance if the crowd didn’t know it was her who would be coming out that door, they would have never guessed it to be the same woman who’d quietly been capturing the news around the city for the last few years.
“You know they’re going to bring up Davenport’s canceled press conference, right?” Bob asked.
“I would expect nothing less.” She took a fresh bottle of water from a colleague and rolled it between her hands. “Any word yet on what happened?”
“None. Darrin stuck around to see if he could find out, but so far, all is silent from the governor’s office.”
She pressed the bottle to her throat, hoping its refrigerated
temperature would calm her nerves. No such luck.
“I was counting on the news of that announcement to overshadow this one.”
Bob laughed. “No such luck, kid. I took a peek outside. There’s a crowd here.”
“Freaking slow news day,” she mumbled.
They both smiled at each other, enjoying the moment before things could go either really good, or really bad, then Bob broke eye contact. “There’s…uh…something I should probably tell you.”
“Are you kidding me? What?” Geez, what now?
“Davenport called earlier.”
“Here?” That hadn’t been what she’d expected to hear. She studied him, trying to figure out if she wanted to know why. Curiosity won. “What did he want?”
“To make sure you were here and not…gone.”
So he’d worried she’d taken a hike. She wondered if that meant he wanted to see her. Could she have anything to do with the canceled press conference? Anything good? She’d been shocked not to hear a word from his family’s publicist yesterday or today, releasing any sort of statement about their relationship. Everything had been strangely quiet.
She nodded, unsure what her movement meant, but unable to think of anything to say.
Bob tapped his watch. “It’s go time. You okay?”
A surprising calmness settled over her, and she nodded. “I’m ready.”
With a quick nod, Bob stepped in front of her and exited the building, moving toward the small podium he’d erected at the edge of Oglethorpe Square. A small gathering of colleagues patted her on the shoulder in encouragement as she followed him out the door.
Security guards lined the walk across the street, and she held her head high and proud as she crossed.
Once in front of everyone, she scanned out over the gathered crowd, and wished with all her might she wasn’t up there alone. The old feeling of being one against the world returned, and it saddened her. She knew nothing had really changed yet, but then, everything had.
She would no longer let past lies hold her down. Instead, she’d now go after each and every single thing she wanted. Including JP.
