The Truths We Find (Love Uncovered #1)

1. Dani

Dani

“Ialready fucking hate him.”

The blunt comment from across the newsroom makes me laugh, as I look up from my computer to find my best friend Alexa Li making her way towards my cubicle.

“Would you keep your voice down? I can’t afford to be down a reporter if they fire you.”

Alexa rolls her eyes as she sits down on the corner of my desk. “They don’t have the balls to get rid of me. Not when I’m so close to getting them the interview of the year.”

“Wait… what—”

I’m cut off by the sound of Alexa’s cell phone going off in her hand.

“Speaking of which.” She hits the answer button, raising it to her ear. “Alexa Li… This is her… Yes…”

I keep typing on my computer as she goes on with her conversation.

I don’t know what she has planned, but it doesn’t stop me from figuring out what other stories we’re going to need for the day.

I’m the executive producer for the afternoon shows at KSSD San Diego, and every morning, I find the top stories for the writers and producers I supervise to put into the newscasts.

I have a great team, and trust them completely, but it’s my job to give the final say on what actually goes on the air.

“Yes!” Alexa yells, making me jump. “I got the exclusive!” She slams her phone onto the desk.

“What’s the story today?”

“You’re looking at the only reporter in town to interview City Councilman Robert Tate about his bribery accusations. I’ll have it for the afternoon shows.”

I’m pretty sure my jaw is on the floor. “How’d you pull that off? Tate’s been in a media blackout for months.”

“Girl, you know I have my ways,” she says with a hair flip.

She’s right. I don’t know how she does it, but Alexa always gets the best scoops.

It could be because she looks like she should be on the cover of magazines, rather than writing the stories inside.

Alexa is a unique combination of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Irish, of all things.

Her bright green eyes and black hair, mixed with her strong personality, make it really hard for people to say no to her.

We couldn’t be more opposite. Alexa is tall and effortlessly slim, while I’m barely five-foot-two with curves that don’t always make me feel at ease.

People tell me I should be proud of my figure, and I try, I really do.

Some days I manage it, convincing myself that my fuller hips, larger chest, and smaller waist are beautiful.

Other days, it’s just easier to hide behind jeans and a zip-up hoodie.

But while my confidence in my appearance wavers, my performance at work never does. When it comes to my job, I’m all in. Sharp, focused, and unapologetically good at what I do. That’s the side of me I trust completely… Even if others don’t.

“I’ll make sure to let the team knows at the story pitch meeting to put it at the top of the shows.” I keep typing on my computer, avoiding eye contact, because I know what conversation is coming next.

“Dani, are you going to be okay today? With the new news director starting?” Alexa’s tone is gentle, despite the hint of concern. I know she’s just trying to check in. Make sure I’m alright without adding more stress to an already stressful day.

“Mm-hmm,” I respond flatly.

“Dani…”

I keep my focus solely on my computer.

“Danielle Elizabeth Russell!”

So much for gentle.

I stop typing and drop my head. “You did not just whole-name me.”

“Well, you aren’t talking to me. I know you better than anyone else. I can tell you’re pissed off.”

I take a deep breath and turn to look at her.

“You’re right. I’m furious, okay? Is that what you want to hear?

” The floodgates are open now and I can’t stop ranting.

My body is practically vibrating to get everything out.

“I’ve given nearly ten years of my life to this station.

I deserve that promotion. I deserve to be running this newsroom.

Anytime they needed someone to fill in when someone was sick, even if it wasn’t my shift, I was here.

When they needed someone to stay late or come in early, I was here.

I always come with story ideas, I’m always willing to help reporters flesh out their stories so they’re even better, but no, none of that fucking matters.

They decided to hire someone from New York City instead.

Someone who doesn’t know our town, our station, or our shows, to run our entire damn newsroom, because that makes total fucking sense! ”

I take another deep breath and try to come down from the adrenaline still buzzing underneath my skin.

Before I realize what’s happening, Alexa reaches over and wraps me in a big hug.

Normally, I don’t like physical contact when I’m stressed out, but I squeeze her back tight anyway.

This isn’t the time to push away my best friend.

“After work, you and I are going for drinks,” she says as she pulls away. “I don’t want to hear any arguments. Deal?”

“Only if you’re buying,” I chuckle.

“I got you, babe.”

“Let me shoot Sam a text to let him know I’ll be home late tonight.”

“Yuck. Monogamy. You’re such a good girlfriend.”

I roll my eyes. I know she’s kidding, sort of. Alexa likes to enjoy her freedom, but I’m definitely a relationship kind of person. I pull out my phone and fire off a quick text.

ME:

Going out with Alexa tonight for drinks after work. Be home late. Love you.

SAM:

No worries. I have an extra session at the gym after training. See you at home.

Sam Lincoln and I have been friends since childhood. It was a running joke with our parents that we would grow up and get married. By the time we got to high school, and everyone just naturally assumed we would get together, I only saw him as a brother and my best friend.

When I went to college, only about an hour away from our hometown in Pennsylvania, Sam joined the Marines.

He kept getting stationed all over the country, but we still talked as much as we could.

No matter how far apart we were, we stayed close.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew Sam felt something more than friendship, but he respected that I didn’t see him that way.

Flash forward to after college when we both ended up in San Diego.

He got stationed at Camp Pendleton, and I started working here, going through a really bad breakup.

Actually, that’s putting it mildly. It was earth shattering.

And Sam was there for me during all of it.

About a year after processing that, he asked me out.

I originally said no because I thought it would be too weird to date my closest friend after all that time.

It was actually Alexa who convinced me to go for it.

She said she could see the smile on my face any time I talked about him. So, I figured, what the hell?

After an awkward first date, all on my end, things got more comfortable, and we’ve been together for nine years. He’s still my best friend, except for Alexa of course.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see our general manager Bill White walk into the room.

He’s an older man, maybe mid-sixties, and knows how to run a proper news station.

As much as I kind of hate him right now for passing me over for the promotion, I still respect him.

We don’t interact much, but when we do, he always appreciates the team’s hard work.

I wish he’d recognize how integral I’ve been to the success he praises, but as I’m coming to find, this business can be thankless.

“Can I have everyone’s attention please,” he yells.

The newsroom suddenly goes quiet and everyone looks towards Mr. White.

“I’m very excited to introduce you all to our newest news director. He comes to us from New York City, where he was the executive producer of our sister station’s local morning show. He’s young, but full of talent and drive, and I know he’s going to make us the number one station in San Diego.”

I roll my eyes. None of us knew who exactly got this job, just that he was from New York. When I was passed over, a lot of us assumed it was for someone older. Now, hearing he’s young just pisses me off even more and sends a fire through me.

I slowly blink and shake my head to focus on Mr. White’s words, but when I hear everyone clapping, I realize I must have missed the big reveal.

Oops.

I turn to the door and the moment I catch a glimpse of my new boss, it’s suddenly eleven years ago.

I’m a senior at Pitt State, and working in a crap coffee shop, waiting for the plumber to show up after closing to fix the dishwasher. I make myself comfortable in one of the corner booths and start studying for the huge test coming up.

Just as I start getting into my textbook, there’s a knock at the front door.

Of course.

With a sigh, I set the book aside and walk over, flipping the lock.

As the door swings open, I freeze. All I can do is stare.

Standing in front of me is, without a doubt, one of the most handsome men I’ve ever laid eyes on.

He’s tall. Six-one, maybe six-two, with piercing blue eyes that seem to look right through me.

His dark, dirty blond hair is a little messy, like he just ran a hand through it without thinking, and it somehow makes him look even better.

His strong jawline and just the right amount of stubble give his face a rugged, almost action-star quality.

Combine that with the T-shirt clinging to his muscular frame in all the right places, and I’m so fucked.

“Hi.” He smiles. “I’m Gavin, here to fix the dishwasher.”

Nothing comes out of my mouth. Words, Dani. Use your words.

He chuckles, never dropping his grin. “And you are?”

I finally snap out of it. “Oh, hi. Yes, please come in. I’m Russell. I mean Dani. Dani Russell. Let me show you where it is.” Could I have sounded any more like an idiot?

Leading him back to the kitchen, I offer him a cup of coffee.

“That would be great. I’m kind of a coffee addict and it’s just about time for my next fix.”