Dream Wedding(77)

Jerry leaned back in his seat and tucked his hands behind his head. “It’s also about the best damn article I’ve read in years. It’s powerful, both in the images you invoke and in the story itself. I’m impressed as hell.”

She felt heat on her cheeks, but she no longer cared. “Really?”

“Yeah, really. You’re a decent writer. Of course, I knew that all along. That’s why I wanted you for this assignment.”

Chloe pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. This was not the time to remind Jerry that he hadn’t chosen her at all. She’d been handed the job after Nancy had turned it down because of her pregnancy.

“You know,” he continued. “You could write a book on this guy. Not that I’m giving you any ideas. I don’t want you to think you can parlay this article into a different career. And don’t even think about leaving Bradley and heading off for New York.”

“Actually, I have no intention of leaving,” she told him. “My home is here.”

Now it was Jerry’s turn to look surprised. He straightened and slapped his hands on his desk. “Who would have thought? I figured a smart young writer like yourself would be heading off to the Big Apple at the first chance she got.” He tapped the pages in front of him. “This is your ticket in. You know that don’t you?”

“I know, and there was a time I was interested, but not anymore. I belong here.”

“Great.” He handed her the article. “I’ve made notes in the margins. I want the changes back to me by the end of the week. This will be the cover story, so get yourself a professional publicity photo. We’ll need it for the byline.”

Chloe swallowed hard. While she’d had bylines before, the magazine had never run her photo. The cover story! “Thank you,” she managed.

“Yeah, yeah.” He pointed to the pages she now held. “We can talk about anything you don’t agree with. I doubt you can change my mind, but you’re welcome to try. Now get out of here.”

She clutched the sheets to her chest and made her way to the door. Her head was spinning. So much had happened so quickly. First Arizona leaving, then Jerry telling her she was going to have the cover.

“Oh, and Chloe?”

She glanced at her boss over her shoulder. “Yes?”

“I’m promoting you to the senior writer level. You’ll only be working on features now. The new title comes with a raise and an expense account.” He waved his hand. “Yeah, yeah, you’re so grateful, you’re speechless. Now get out of here, kid. Go home, celebrate the rest of the day and in the morning get your butt in the chair and make those changes.”

“Thank you,” was all she could manage. She stumbled her way back to her desk and collapsed into her chair.

She’d been promoted. She was really succeeding here at the magazine. There were only two other feature writers and they had both been working here much longer than she had. She’d impressed her boss.

She laughed out loud. With a little luck, she might even get a bigger cubicle, or maybe even an office of her own. Excitement and happiness bubbled inside of her. Without thinking, she reached for the phone and punched in the number for the hotel where Arizona was staying. When the operator answered, reality hit and with it a gut-twisting pain.

“May I help you?” the woman asked again.

“I’m sorry,” Chloe whispered. “I have the wrong number.”

She hung up. All her excitement and happiness vaporized, leaving her feeling as if she had just swallowed poison. Her body stiffened and her chest tightened. She couldn’t call Arizona and share the news with him. He was gone. She had sent him away and he wasn’t the kind of man who was likely to bother coming back this way again.

* * *

CHLOE WALKED INTO the kitchen and set her briefcase on the table. She’d taken Jerry’s advice and had left early. But she had no plans to celebrate her promotion. She knew that in time she would be thrilled with the opportunity. She was a good writer, and she would excel at her new position. But for now none of that mattered. There was only the pain. How long would it take to forget him? Lord help her if souls really were reincarnated because she had a bad feeling it was going to take more than one lifetime to get over him.

“You let him go.”

Chloe glanced up and saw her aunt standing in the doorway. Charity’s hair was pulled back into its customary French twist. Her tailored slacks and fitted blouse highlighted her attractive figure. She was a familiar anchor in Chloe’s suddenly storm-tossed world.

As the tears formed, she walked to her aunt. The older woman embraced her, holding her close. Chloe cried, hoping the release of tears would ease some of the pain. Sobs racked her body. She felt the physical rending as her heart tore in two.