She captured my lips in a passionate kiss and I returned it, happy that the entire thing was settled. Now that I knew she was mine and she wasn’t leaving, a new thought crossed my mind. There was no way in hell I’d let Jack and Gretchen push me. I was going to fight that suit until they backed down or I won, whichever came first. They had no right coming into my stomping ground and making a fool of me. Haley was mine to defend, and I would do so with every fiber of my being. To start with, it would be to hunt down camera footage of whoever vandalized her car and use that to back up my case to support myself and the paper. They would not win.
“What are you thinking?” she asked, laying her head on my chest.
“About how I will fight for you every day for the rest of my life.” I clung to her as if my life depended on it. Now more than ever, I wanted to provide everything she needed, and for the rest of her life. Someday, she would be mine in commitment and in name. I just had to play my cards right.
31
HALEY
Isat staring at my computer, not even believing the offer sent to me by theGlobal Gazette. It was double the number of vacation days, unlimited stipend for travel and research, the anchor position—which meant my stories on the front page of the international section and a chance at front-page news if the story was right, and to top it off, they wanted to more than double my salary. The email mentioned that someone from Global would be calling me this morning to discuss the offer and help me make arrangements for travel. They would also provide a relocation budget and put me up in a hotel for a few months until I’d found a suitable place to rent or buy. It was the offer of my dreams.
Or at least, it would have been had Parker not swept into my life and captured my heart. As disappointing as it was to let the offer go, I had to. I had given my heart to Parker and I wasn’t taking back that promise. I loved him, and I wanted to be with him more than I wanted any career.
My phone rang, and I startled, taking a moment to compose myself before answering. I looked at the number on the caller ID. It was a California area code, so I knew it was Global. Iwasn’t emotionally prepared to turn down my dream job, but the thought of letting Parker down bolstered my confidence. I picked the phone up and answered with a cheery voice.
“Haley Spencer speaking. Who is this?”
“Haley, hello, this is Richard Lee.” My heart lurched then stopped dead in my chest. I couldn’t believe Richard Lee himself was calling me. I was so shocked, I couldn’t speak, but he didn’t waste a moment before filling in the awkward silence on my behalf. “Listen, Haley, I’m calling to see if you got the email from HR regarding the job offer.”
“I, uh…” It wasn’t like he was a celebrity, but he was the CEO of the world’s largest media conglomerate, and that in and of itself was intimidating.
He chuckled. “It’s okay, I get this a lot.”
“Sorry, I’m not usually star struck.” I tittered then continued. “Actually, yes, I got the email and I was just looking it over.” My eyes grazed over the email, still open on my computer screen. My heart sank ever so slightly in my chest again at the realization that I was choosing a man over a job, but I placed my hope in my future with Parker.
“And what do you think? A pretty handsome salary, right?” His voice sounded overconfident, almost cocky. It made me cringe a little.
“Yes, it is quite the handsome salary, but I’m afraid I have to pass on it this time.” I bit my lip, hoping his reaction wasn’t as bad as I feared it would be. I expected him to be upset, but he surprised me.
“Alright, well say I add twenty percent to that offer and another week of vacation time?” He was confident that I was holding out for more money, but I had what money couldn’t buy. The love of my life lived in Chicago, and I wasn't going anywhere.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lee, but I can’t accept that offer either. A few months ago, I would have jumped at the chance to work with you, but things in my personal life have changed. I cannot accept your offer of employment.”
“Well, I didn’t expect this.” I could hear how his tone changed. He definitely was upset, but I wasn’t budging. “Are you certain? You understand the position I’m offering you. As a young journalist, you’ll never get another offer like this from any other paper. Most journalists don't receive positions like this until well into their thirties with a dozen years of experience. You’re that good.”
“I assure you, Mr. Lee, I know my worth. I just have new priorities. I do hope that should my circumstances change, you would consider me in the future, but at this time, I have to decline the offer.”
He sighed and said, “Of course. Well, thank you for your time, Ms. Spencer. Have a good day.”
As soon as he hung up, I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders. The first step toward a bright future with Parker was over. In my opinion, it was the most difficult one, though I knew with the lawsuit hanging over his head, there would be many more steps to take before we could tell the world the entire truth. It took a lot of emotional strength to click the delete button on that email, but I did. Then I closed the browser and clicked over to my word processor where my notes for a new international story were stored. I was about to dive into the research when Lauren popped her head into my cubicle.
“Did I literally just hear you turn down a job with Richard Lee? He runs theGlobal Gazette, right?” She had a confused scowl and strolled right up to my desk like she owned the place.
“Uh, well, that was a private conversation, but if you must know, yes. I turned down a job at Global.” I spun my chair around, quick to minimize the browser so she didn’t see myresearch, which had my source’s name within it. I'd hoped that no one would learn about how I’d turned down the job, but I couldn’t deny it. I wasn’t about to start lying to coworkers now that I knew I was staying atThe Vine.
She raised an eyebrow and planted her hands on her hips. “Are you saying that you’re staying here atThe Vineinstead of taking a job at the best newspaper in the country? Maybe the world?”
It sounded worse than it really was. Choosing love over a career was something a lot of people did. Though, if my father learned about the reason I turned down the job after my mental breakdown last weekend, he’d be disappointed in me. I peered up at her with frustration that I was being grilled by someone who hardly knew about my life choices.
“Yes,TheVineis my home.” I shrugged. “Who’s to say that it won’t grow and be bigger than Global?”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “For someone I’m supposed to look up to, that seems like a pretty dumb decision.” Lauren was a year younger than me and only just out of college. I could see where Parker wanted her to view me as a role model, but this woman put me on a pedestal. “What are you going to do, stay here to sleep your way to the top? I hear Parker is fire in the sack.” She waggled her eyebrows at me, and I felt my cheeks burning.
“That is none of your business, and no, I’m not ‘sleeping my way to the top’. I find your insinuation to be rude and insulting.” I wanted to get up and leave, but Parker rounded the corner, standing in my cubicle now next to Lauren, whose eyes grew wide in surprise.
“Ms. Evans, I want to remind you that we have a very strict policy on slander here atThe Vine. Or did you forget that after being reprimanded for your story and not having factual evidence?” He scowled at her, but his tone was merely sterninstead of the rage I knew was his second nature when dealing with these sorts of things. His face wasn’t even red from anger.
“I’m sorry, sir.” Lauren blanched and looked down.
