17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Kat
As I stretched, the sore muscles reminded me of all the fun of the night before with Harrison. I grinned, reaching my hand out, but only encountered an empty bed. I blinked and opened my eyes before sitting up. Maybe he was already awake. After noting the open bathroom door, I headed down the hallway. Dread settled in my stomach when I realized the rest of the apartment was empty as well. The overnight bag he’d left in the living room and his clothes were all gone. Biting my lip, I headed back to my bedroom and scooped up my phone from the nightstand, noticing I had a message. I clicked on it quickly, hoping it was Harrison with an explanation of where he was, but it wasn’t.
Emma: Damn, girl. I thought you liked this guy.
Me: What the hell are you talking about?
Emma: Your article. You crucified him. What the fuck happened?
My hands shook as I found and pulled up my article—if you could even call it that—and read it in horror. Jamie had hacked it up and changed the tone without consulting me . What the actual fuck was going on? I immediately texted Jamie.
Me: What is this piece of shit with my name on it?
Jamie: Hello to you too. I couldn’t confirm his new trip, so I had to add doubt to his claim. I knew you had a date this weekend, so I decided not to bother you with it.
My mouth dropped open. He knew? Was he jealous? I thought we’d left things on a good working relationship, but I guess I was wrong.
Me: And all the comments basically calling him a liar and washed up . . . you just felt like adding those, hey? I can’t believe you overhauled my article without consulting me.
Jamie: Yeah, well, guess you were too busy fucking him to bother with backing up the claims you made.
Me: It’s none of your business who I fuck. How did you even know any of this?
Jamie: You forget, darling. He’s not the only one to take you to The Melting Pot.
I slammed my phone down on the counter as rage poured through me. So that’s how he knew. He had friends who had seen us. With my head in my hands, I wondered if Harrison had seen the article. Was that why I’d woken up alone? Picking my phone back up, I sent Harrison a text.
Me: I did not approve the changes my editor made, I swear. My original article was NOTHING like that. Where are you? Please come back so we can talk about this.
As the minutes ticked by and no response came, my mind spiraled. I paced my apartment, realizing he was probably on his way back to Chicago. Shit. Even if I hadn’t written a bunch of that article, my name was still on it, and I’d made the mistake of not confirming with a second source. Jamie had nailed me with it too because of his jealousy. Rubbing my face, I came to a decision and sent my boss an email, noting my mistake but also that a misleading and false article had been published instead of allowing me time to fix my error. I didn’t want to leave this job, but if my editor was going to sabotage me, I couldn’t stay. I’d always be worried about him changing my articles without talking to me. It was my own fault for dating him, but I’d beaten myself up about it enough.
To my surprise, an email from my boss came through, even though it was Sunday.
Kat,
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I’ve pulled the article. I already got a complaint from the organizer of the dig, so it has been verified. Since it was simple to do, Jamie lied to us both about not being able to get a second source. Because of this, I have let him go. I would love to talk to you over lunch tomorrow about you potentially having a larger role within our organization.
Byron Alberts
PS. Please have a revised version for me ASAP.
My mouth dropped open. Byron was the kind of guy I loved to work for. He’d protected the business at the first whiff of something amiss. Jamie was probably pissed . My phone vibrated again.
Emma: Now it’s gone, and so are you. What the fuck happened?
Me: Jamie changed my story and got himself fired.
Emma: Holy shit! That’s awesome. So you and Harrison are cool then?
Me: I don’t know. He left earlier without saying goodbye. He must have seen it.
Emma: And he ran? Lame.
I sighed and sent him another text.
Me: My editor ex-fiancé screwed with my article and got let go. It is no longer live. Please call me.
When no immediate response came, I made coffee and opened my laptop, determined to fix the mess Jamie had made of my article.
***
The next day, as I was getting ready for lunch with Byron, Harrison still hadn’t answered my messages. I’d fixed the article and Byron had even sent me the extra source, who I’d spoken to that morning. They’d moved up the dig to this weekend—Memorial Day—instead of waiting. I’d added that to the article and sent it to Byron immediately. It was going live this afternoon.
I made my way over to Byron’s table, and he stood as I approached. “Hi, Kat. It’s been a while. Take a seat.”
We sat, and I looked over my boss, who I only usually saw through video chat. He was a handsome man with black hair and bright blue eyes. “Nice to see you in the flesh, Byron.”
He smiled. “You too. So, I had an idea.”
I sat up straighter, even though I was going crazy not hearing from Harrison. “Oh?”
“I want you to cover the dig,” Byron said. “You uncovered it, after all. I want you to go, take loads of pictures, talk to the team, and get an exclusive feature story for me.”
I grinned. “You’re sending me to Egypt?”
He nodded. “This story has the potential to be huge. We’re going to sell so many copies of this thing. I got the go-ahead from the organizer, and now I just need it from you. You would leave on Wednesday, meet the team—who arrive tomorrow—and dive into it all with them.”
My chest heaved. “I can’t believe this. I’ve always wanted to go.”
“I know, and you’ve proven to me that you’re ready. I can trust you to give me a great story,” he said, leaning forward in his chair. “So, what do you say, Kat?”
“I say hell yes! And thank you so much for this opportunity. I will not let you down, Byron.” My mind went to Harrison, who still hadn’t replied. Was he really holding a grudge without letting me explain? Either way, I was going to Egypt and needed a plan, and I knew just the person to help me. When I got into my car after lunch, I pulled out my phone.
Me: I need you to come over tonight.
Emma: Can do! I have something to tell you, but it can’t wait! Krysta is sending me to Graceland!
Me: When?
Emma: Later this month!
Me: That’s amazing! I’m going to Egypt in a couple days!
Emma: WTF? Really? Our bosses are the best! See you tonight, sis!
I turned my phone over in my hand. So Harrison was leaving tomorrow and was still ghosting me? What a shit. Frowning, I realized I didn’t know if Byron meant our time or Cairo time. He was going to send me my itinerary tonight, so I guess I’d find out soon. My phone buzzed, and my breath caught as the person I’d been waiting for an answer from finally did.
Harrison: Kat, I’m sorry. I was so pissed about the article, but I just saw the new one go up. I’m sorry for doubting you, but I needed time. And then they moved up the trip, which I realize you know. I’m about to get on the plane, but I would love to see you when I’m back.
The knot in my chest loosened after reading his words. I debated telling him I was coming but decided against it. What a surprise this would be to show up for the holiday weekend. Besides, he probably shut his phone off right after sending the text.
After making my way home, I started packing for my trip. I still couldn’t believe it. And I was sure Emma’s trip to Graceland would be legendary. I grabbed my phone, an idea forming as I checked Ashton Olsson’s schedule. He was due to return to Graceland the week my sister would be there, and there were still tickets left. Dad’s looking out for us, I thought with a smile . I quickly ordered two tickets for her as I heard a knock on the door. Throwing it open, I saw Emma’s grinning face as she held up a bottle of peanut-butter whiskey. “Seems like it’s time to celebrate!”
I laughed, taking it from her. “Damn straight it is. I can’t believe you finally get to see Graceland!”
“And you’re going to Egypt! This is to cover Harrison’s dig, I’m guessing?”
I nodded and crossed to my kitchen island to pour us shots. “Yup. Byron is finally giving me a huge on-location story.”
“Does Harrison know? Has that dumbass even responded to your texts yet?” she asked, downing her shot.
I grinned and shot back my own.
Emma pointed a finger at me. “He did! What did he say?”
“He apologized and wants to see me when he’s back.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And then you told him you’re coming?”
I shook my head. “He was literally getting on the plane. I figure I’ll surprise him.”
Emma smirked, pouring us each another shot. “Of course. So you’re just going to show up at the dig site, camera and notepad in hand?”
“More or less.”
“Maybe get your story before the two of you fuck your brains out this time. Have that locked down.” She winked, downing her shot.
Shaking my head, I took another shot too. “No promises. It’s a multi-day project, and if you think I can go that long without jumping his bones, you are mistaken.”
She laughed. “Make-up sex is a solid reason.”
We spent the rest of the evening together, and I surprised her with the tickets to Ashton’s show.
When Emma crashed on the couch, I pulled out my phone again. Nothing more from Harrison, but I wasn’t really surprised. It was at least a thirteen-hour trip. While that piece wasn’t ideal, I was thrilled to be going. This was my big chance to cover a huge event. Holy hell. What if they discovered something while I was there?
An email from Byron came through, confirming I was leaving the next afternoon, so I would be there by the time they started digging Wednesday morning. That eight-hour time difference was going to be brutal, but if I got little sleep tonight, maybe I could sleep on the plane. Not that that would be too hard. I was thrumming with energy after seeing my itinerary. This was really happening. My lifelong dream was about to come true, and I would get to share it with the man I was falling for.
***
After a long flight, I finally arrived at the dig site, coffee in hand. Even though I did sleep on the plane, it still felt like 1:00 a.m. Thankfully, they weren’t starting the dig until noon on the first day, so they had a little time to adjust. The heat hit me as I sipped my iced latte. There were tarps set up and people milling about, getting equipment and workstations ready. I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures of the surrounding area.
Suddenly, I caught a familiar face in my lens. My breath hitched as Harrison brushed dust off his pants. Holy hell. I hadn’t realized how much I already missed him, and the desire to make things right just made it feel longer. My concept of time was all screwy anyway.
As I watched him through the lens, his gaze turned to me, his eyes widening. He set down the tools he’d been unwrapping. “Kat?” he called, dodging others and equipment to get to me. “You’re here? Why are you here?”
My fingers itched to tangle themselves in his filthy hair, but instead, I shrugged. “My boss sent me to do a cover story.”
He grinned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were sort of ignoring me, and then we both had all that traveling. Thought I’d just show up.”
Harrison chuckled, grabbing my hips and pulling me into the line of his body. “I’m so fucking glad you’re here.”
“Me too. Harrison, I’m sorry about the original article. It wasn’t even me; it was my ex.”
Harrison’s gorgeous hazel gaze locked on mine. “I know.”
He closed the distance, kissing me deeply as my heart raced. I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back, and catcalls filled the air. He broke the kiss and laughed. “It’s like campus all over again.”
“Minus the pizza.”
With a groan, Harrison shook my hips. “We’re definitely getting some of that when we get home”
“So, Harrison Keeler, how does it feel to be here in Egypt, back on expedition?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Starting the interview already?”
“Figured I might be busy later, Professor.”
Harrison winked. “I guarantee it.”