Chapter 39 Georgina
GEORGINA
Have you ever met some regular, nice person, and instantly connected with them in a genuine, easy way.
.. only to find out later that regular, nice person was actually a big wig?
Someone who would have intimidated the heck out of you, if only you’d known?
But by then it was too late to feel intimidated.
The easy friendship was already formed. The connection made.
Well, that’s what happened when I met Reed’s longtime attorney, Leonard.
When I encountered him backstage at the RCR concert last night, he was a sweet older dude in jeans and a Red Card Riot T-shirt who was geeking out over watching his teenage daughter and her friends meet the band.
But now that I’m sitting across from Leonard in his sleek office, and I can see the impressive diplomas and framed magazine covers and awards on his walls, I’m realizing he’s actually a big wig.
But it’s too late now for me to feel intimidated, because all I see when I look into his smiling face is the sweet, kind dude in jeans and a Red Card Riot T-shirt from last night.
It’s a lucky thing for me, actually. It’s meant I’ve been able to dive right into deftly interviewing Leonard about the legal services his firm provides Reed and Reed’s various businesses, without feeling hampered by nerves.
Unfortunately, though, all good things must come to an end.
When the expert witness Reed and Leonard have been waiting on finally arrives, apologizing profusely for her delay due to traffic, it’s time for me to head out and leave the trio to their meeting.
She’s the same woman who moderated the panel discussion the other day, though—the dean of UCLA’s music school—so, before heading out the door, I mention I was in attendance at the panel and thoroughly enjoyed it.
“Oh, are you a music student?” she asks.
“No, I just graduated with a degree in journalism.”
Reed pipes in. “Georgie is interning for Rock ‘n’ Roll. She’s been assigned to write an in-depth article about me, so she’s shadowing me this entire week. I’ve been told she’s a brilliant writer. One to watch.”
Goosebumps erupt on my skin, thanks to Reed’s amazing words about me, and his tone while saying them. Oh my gosh. Everything Reed just said makes me want to jump his bones the moment we walk through his front door later tonight!
The woman asks me some polite questions about my internship, which I answer, but, soon, it’s clear I should run along to let them get to work.
“If you’d like a quiet place to work while you wait for Reed, I can set you up in a conference room,” Leonard offers.
“No, thank you,” I say. “I think I’ll head to a coffee place nearby and plan to come back here . . .?”
“In a couple hours or so,” Leonard supplies.
“Perfect. Thank you for all the helpful information, Leonard. It was invaluable to me.”
“It was my genuine pleasure, Georgina. Your questions were thoughtful and full of insight.”
I blush. “Thank you. Please say hello to McKenzie and her adorable friends for me.”
“I will.”
I look at Reed and my heart skips a beat at the twinkle in his brown eyes. “Thank you for letting me tag along today. It’s been so helpful.”
“My pleasure, Georgina. I was also impressed with the questions you asked. CeeCee told me you’re one of the most promising newbies she’s ever had the pleasure to hire—if not the most promising. And I can see why.”
Biting back a massive smile, I grab my laptop, say my last goodbyes, and head out the door.
But I’m not going to a coffee place, like I said.
I’m heading straight to the courthouse a few blocks away to do a little research.
From what Leonard just explained to me about Reed’s legal affairs, combined with something Reed said to me last night, I’ve got a strong hunch there’s a damned good story out there, waiting to be uncovered by the right journalist. I just have to be smart enough, and scrappy enough, to be the one to find it.