Chapter 3

What even was that? I blink as I step out after him, trying to get my bearings. “Thanks for the rescue,” I hear Holt say to another sharply dressed man who seemed to be waiting for our arrival. So he was able to text for help. Was he just messing with me to fill time? “There you are!” Of course Michael is waiting at the elevators. He’s probably been here all night, freaking out every time a car arrived without me in it. “Was that—?” He darts his eyes in Holt’s direction. “Did you ride up together?” He can barely contain his excitement. “Did you get to talk to him?” I’m still reeling from the him in question. My gaze follows as Holt rushes off with the other man, presumably heading to his designated spot for the occasion. “Brystin?” I force my attention back to Michael. “Never mind.” He ushers me into the event space. “You can tell me later. You’re just in time. They’re about to start. You look stunning, by the way. Well worth the wait.” I’m grateful he lets the subject go. I’m not sure what I’d say, or what he’d say in response. Or what he’d do to Holt in my defense. One thing is certain, though—I have to change my entire approach where a promotion is concerned. Because at this rate, Holt Sebastian will eat me alive. CHAPTER TWO BRYSTIN “Smile on,” Michael whispers. “VIP headed in our direction.”

If I wasn’t so giddy from the excitement and champagne, I might be annoyed. First, I haven’t dropped my smile once in three hours—my aching cheeks can attest to the fact—and second, it seems that everyone who has spoken to us during the after party has been a VIP. I feel like I’m in a receiving line. One executive after another has passed by with congratulations and nice-to-meet-yous. Every part of my body is exhausted. But when I glance at the group walking our way, I see why Michael nudged me, and any hint of irritation dissipates. “Oh my God, it’s Samuel Sebastian!” I barely have time to put my professional face back on before he’s upon us. “Brystin Shaw.” Samuel extends his hand toward me. “Pleasure to meet you. Congratulations on the award. Well deserved.” I imagine that the chair of Sebastian News Corp has probably been thoroughly prepped. There have been too many awards given tonight, too many mentions of outstanding work in journalism for me to feel like he might be able to single me out without the help. Still, I’m thrilled to hear my name come out of his lips. In many ways, it’s a dream come true. Hopefully, I’ll make a good enough impression that he won’t need the prep next time we’re face-to-face. “The pleasure is mine, Mr. Sebastian. It’s an honor just to be in the same room with so many notable people in the industry, yourself being at the top of the list. I’m really a tremendous fan.” He dismisses the compliment with a wave of his hand. “Samuel, please. My father doesn’t even go by Mr. Sebastian.” I laugh politely and plan to introduce Michael, but that also turns out to be unnecessary. “Michael Endlich. It’s been a while. You’re producing New Jersey Now? I should have guessed. Your hand shows in the work.” I’m jealous as the two slip into easy banter, and I’m sidelined, but I remind myself that Michael’s been in the industry much longer than I have. He’s closer to Samuel’s age than mine, though he doesn’t look it. Where Samuel looks like a grandpa, Michael’s graying hair is distinguished. He’s as trim and fit as a man half his age and appallingly attractive. The kind of attractive that gets better with every passing year, much to my envy. If he hadn’t been at my side all night, I have no doubt he would have had the women swarming. Men too, for that matter. Add his charisma and business sense, and no wonder he’s maintained meaningful connections. It’s exactly the reason I’ve tied myself to him—Michael is the kind of man who goes places. I’m lucky he’s chosen to take me with him. Still, I’m looking forward to a time when I’m not the extra wheel in these conversations. Fortunately, I’m not forgotten for long. “I’d like you both to meet my nephew, Scott.” Samuel gestures to the man at his side. “He’s relatively new over here. Officially his title is VP of Public Integrity, but that’s just a fancy way to say he’s in charge of PR.” I do that ridiculous thing of downplaying my skills/highlighting my weaknesses because I’m a woman and that has been ingrained in my sex since birth. “Oh, dear. I hope you’re not here to scold me about my Instagram account.” “Not that kind of PR,” Scott assures me. “More like he makes certain we don’t look like assholes,” Samuel says. Another round of polite laughter, during which I’m racking my brain for something witty or intelligent to say. I’m usually faster on my feet, but it’s been a night, and I’m not as quick as I want to be. Always to my rescue, Michael chimes in before the second of silence becomes awkward. “I have to say, Samuel, the reporting that SNC did on the King-Kincaid financial scandal was next level. Would love to have been in on that. Talk about public integrity.” I kick myself for not thinking of that talking point myself. It’s been the biggest story that Sebastian News Corp has had in a decade. Easy fruit, and I missed it. “That was all my son,” Samuel says. “When I appointed him CEO last year, I told him he had to come out of the gate swinging, and he sure did. Though, I have to say”—I’m surprised when he shifts his body to include me—“that piece you did on college entrance requirements was particularly innovative.” I imagine Scott is silently scoring Samuel points for turning the conversation back to the subject of my award. The whole intent of this night is to honor local news anchors, an obvious PR move in itself. Make sure that the little guys feel like we’re part of the bigger company so that we’ll keep getting eyeballs on programs that bear the SNC logo. It might be all publicity, but it’s working. I do feel special. “Especially for a local team,” another voice pipes in. “The piece did a good job of packaging fluff into something resembling news.” And there goes my dignity. Michael puts a comforting hand on my back as we all turn to acknowledge the newest member of the party. While I’m sure he’s a Sebastian, he’s not one that I recognize, and Michael doesn’t seem to either. He has an intensity about him that threatens a shudder through my body, and while the feeling is very different from what I felt in the elevator with Holt, I’m sure this man is just as brutal.