“What’s going on?” I was cautious.

“Since you left for Sydney, there’s been some restructuring with the company.” Phil paused. I could picture him loosening up the collar on his blue shirt. He always wore blue. “And because of that, we’re going to have to let some of our stringers go.”

“What kind of restructuring?” I was stuck on the wrong part of the explanation.

Amy took over from that point. “Ava, I know this is going to come as a shock, but Sports Now has decided to downsize and focus on the online imprint it has. We can still hold our television market and cut our remote reports. It’s what’s in the best interest of the company.”

“Okay.”

I still hadn’t figured out why they were calling me with a fourteen-hour time change between us to explain something corporate had decided. I had just delivered a kick-ass report on the swim trials to that exact online audience. Then I realized what this was. It was a promotion. Phil wanted more of what I could do for the online viewers. I squealed on the inside, trying to calm my nerves.

“Ava, you are no longer a part of Sports Now.”

I nearly dropped my cell on the varnished table. “What?”

“It’s not personal. You have done an outstanding job while you were with us, but we can’t keep everyone. Human resources decided the fairest ap

proach was to relieve those who were newest to the company.”

I nodded slowly. “I see.”

“I’m going to hop off the line, but Amy will guide you through the exit interview.”

“But I’m in Sydney,” I blurted out. “I’m covering the trials for you.” It was a desperate argument to keep the last shred of a connection to the station.

I didn’t want to lose my job. My dream.

“I think we’ve got that covered now that Crews has set the record.”

“But he’s swimming again tomorrow night!” I didn’t care if everyone in the bar heard me. I had one more assignment in Sydney. Phil couldn’t dismiss me like an intern. I’d paid my dues to get here.

“Thanks for all of your hard work, Ava. Don’t hesitate to ask for a recommendation letter. Best of luck to you. I’ll let Amy handle the rest from here.” There was a garbled exchange on the line and then Amy launched into a rehearsed speech.

I sat in silence while she explained the paperwork I needed to fill out in order to receive a small severance package from the company. My return flight to Atlanta was guaranteed, but for the rest of the trip, if I chose to stay, I was on my own. Sports Now had essentially cut me off and I was on the other side of the world, alone in the southern hemisphere.

When I hung up, I stared into the pint of beer. I grabbed it as the beer sloshed over the side and guzzled until the glass was empty.

I could feel the tears stinging the corners of my eyes. I ran to the bathroom before they spilled onto the table’s shiny surface.

I felt hollow and lost. As if everything had been taken from me at once. I didn’t know if I could breathe or even find my way out of the ladies’ room. I splashed another handful of water on my face.

Everything seemed absurd. The thought that I could somehow hold on to a dream job like reporting for Sports Now. The idea that they sent me to Australia because they had big plans for me. All the pictures I had posted on my social media accounts this week of my trip. Shit.

My palm hit the top of my forehead. I didn’t want to think about the embarrassment and humiliation that would come with this job loss.

What in the hell was I going to do? Crawl back to Atlanta unemployed and broke?

I whipped open the door, ready to at least get out of here and head back to the hotel.

That was when I saw him.

That was when Blaine Crews plowed me over in the hallway, knocking me to the floor as his hands scooped around my waist, drawing me to his solid chest.

I looked into dark green eyes.

“You’re…” Words failed me. Everything failed me.

He grinned and the rest of the world fell away.

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