Love at 11 - By Mari Mancusi Page 0,90

Was he that scared I’d go run the story somehow? Or go around telling all my coworkers that he’d axed it because he was afraid of losing a sponsor? I felt a little sick to my stomach.

“I’m honored that you thought of me, sir. But—”

“Great. Then it’s settled. You start tomorrow. Laura will show you the ropes before she leaves.”

This was happening too fast. I couldn’t process it all. Was it a genuine opportunity or a bribe to keep my mouth shut?

“Oh, and here’s what we’ll be raising your salary to.” Richard scribbled a number down on a sticky note and slid it across his desk.

I stared down at it, thinking at first my dyslexia must be playing up and I was seeing the numbers in the wrong order. But no, after a few blinks to focus, they remained, clear as day. They wanted to pay me that? I mean it wasn’t a PR salary by any means, but it was nearly double what I’d been making as a regular producer. I’d never have to worry about making the rent. And I could buy good bottles of wine instead of that dreadful blush in a box I’d been stocking in my fridge.

Not to mention it was a huge career move. I’d get a lot of added responsibility and I’d have a staff. And even better, I’d get to assign stories to the producers that had journalistic integrity. I could even do away with the Household Products That Kill series. Sure, I’d lose this investigation, but I could assign ten others, equally as important that didn’t happen to involve advertisers. For the first time, I, Maddy Madison, could make a difference.

Maybe I should take it.

Of course, that would mean giving up my Newsline dream. Going into management was another career track altogether. But, hey—maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing. After all, who wanted to move to NYC or LA to slave away at some entry-level position at the national news magazine show? I had family here. Friends. My wonderful boyfriend Jamie. This was my life.

I’d probably hate it at Newsline anyway, I justified. I’d have to leave everyone behind and rent some stuffy, rodent-infested studio in Queens. Or New Jersey, and everyone would always ask what exit I lived off of.

“I’ll take it,” I declared. “Thanks. It’s really an honor.”

“You deserve it.” Richard held out his hand, a big smile on his face. I shook it, pushing the nagging guilt of selling out deep inside. “Welcome aboard.”

Back in Cubicle Land, I found Jamie sitting at my desk. I leaned down and gave him a warm hug. “You’ll never guess! I’m going to be executive producer.”

“Really? Great,” he replied in an automatic voice. Almost as if he hadn’t heard me.

I narrowed my eyes, studying him closely. He looked bad. Pale-faced, hands trembling bad. Something was definitely up. “You okay, Jamie?”

“We need to talk.”

Oh, God, I hated those words. What now? This was turning into a roller coaster of a day.

“Oh … okay.” I could feel my pulse kick up a few notches as my good mood vanished into the shadows.

“Not here, though. What time are you leaving?”

I glanced at my watch. “Um, in like a half hour.”

“Fine. I’ll meet you at your apartment.” He rose and turned to leave.

I grabbed his arm. “You’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

He attempted a smile and failed miserably. Whatever it was, it had to be bad. Really, really bad. “I’ll be by around six thirty.”

“S-sure.” I reluctantly let go of his arm. What was going on? My stomach knotted in apprehension. After he walked away I realized I hadn’t even gotten a chance to tell him they’d axed our drug tunnel piece.

“So, how’d Richard like the story?” Jodi asked, bounding into my cubicle a moment later. “Did he fall over backward at how awesome it was? I bet he did, right?”

“Um, not exactly.” I briefed her on how it went down. “And then he offered me a promotion, if you can believe it. Evidently Laura’s leaving to go sell out as a publicist and they need a new executive producer.”

Jodi shook her head in amazement. “I hope you told him where he could shove that promotion,” she said with an angry voice. “I mean, really. What a slimeball.”

“Well …”

“But … you didn’t.” Jodi stared at me with a horrified expression on her face. “You didn’t actually agree to …?”

I hung my head, unable to look her in the eye.

“Oh, Maddy! How could you? It’s so