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“Yeah, everything’s fine. Let’s just get the column done so we can enjoy the weekend, yeah?”
“You’ve got it. How was the ball, by the way?”
“It was beautiful,” I admit. “Everyone who is anyone was there. I was able to get a few quotes from the politicians running next season. I think readers will find it refreshing to get to know these men and women outside of their speeches.”
“Definitely. You got some good quotes too. Personable and fun.”
“I tried.”
“How was it being The Shark’s date?” he asks, looking at me curiously.
“I wasn’t his date.” I roll my eyes. “It’s business.”
“Suuure, it is. I see the way he looks at you sometimes. It’s like he’s going to have you for dinner.”
“Andy!” I say, giving him a gentle shove.
“Just saying. I wish he looked at me like that. He is one fine Latino man,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows.
“You’re crazy,” I say, shaking my head. “Now get back to work.”
We finish going over the final touches to my column and send it to printing. I’m proud of the piece, and even though the night with Marco ended abruptly, I’m still glad I went. It gave me material I could really work with, and now Sunday’s paper will have an insider’s look into the Conservatory Ball.
I head back to my office, aware that Marco is not back yet. The hours tick by and when 5 p.m. hits, I realize he’s not coming back. I almost have the urge to text him to see if everything is okay, but I refrain. If there was anything pressing he needed me to do, I’m sure he would text or email me. Still, I’m wondering if his absence has anything to do with how I talked to him this morning. I know I wasn’t easy on him about the website makeover, even though I know it’s going to elevate our paper’s presence. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t fired me yet for my bad attitude. Maybe I should ease up a little. I grab my purse and head home.
The next day, my brother Troy and his wife Monica come over with their son, TJ. Josie is happy to have a playmate, and I’m happy to spend some time with them. Monica and I chat about the paper and her latest short story, which brought in more readers than ever before. She hasn’t been into the new office, or even met Marco. She worked it out with George a while ago that she wanted to work remotely and be a work-from-home-mom. I know Marco isn’t going to mess with that arrangement, since she brings in a reader fanbase.
“How is it going over there?” asks Troy, rustling TJ’s hair as he snacks on crackers.
“It’s going,” I say.
“Seems like that Marco Vallejos is taking over the journalism world. It’s a smart investment. The ad revenue alone is remarkable.”
I roll my eyes.
“Sorry, I know you don’t like him.” He shrugs. “But it’s business.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Okay, changing the subject…” he says with a chuckle.
“Josie’s first birthday is coming up! What does she want?” asks Monica cheerfully.
“She’s really into cardboard boxes that toys come in.”
“Aren’t they all?” Monica laughs.
“Speaking of her first birthday…” starts Troy, treading cautiously.
I give him a look, like I know what’s coming.
“Do you think her father will make an appearance?” he whispers.
“No.” I shake my head.
He sighs and puts his fingers to his brow.
“I don’t understand why it’s such a big secret. I’m your brother. You should be able to tell me these things, like who my niece’s father is.”