Even if Landon insisted it was over.
“I’m sorry. We… He said you two were over. I wasn’t trying to step on your toes.”
Reegan laughed softly. “Landon… We are over. We have been for a long time. A part of me will always love him, but not the same way you two love each other.”
“That’s not… We don’t…”
“I know what Landon looks like when he’s in love. You don’t have to convince me it’s not true, Casey. I’m not upset. I’m really happy for the two of you. We don’t know each other well, but I know Landon. You’re good for him. He hasn’t looked that happy in a long time.”
“We’re just spending time together.”
Reegan sighed, then smiled. “It’s none of my business, Casey. I just wanted you to know I’m not going to cause trouble for you or try to steal him back or anything. Landon and I are better as friends, if that, and I want him to find his happiness. It was good to see he found it with you.”
“Thanks,” I whispered as she wheeled her cart away.
She turned the corner down an aisle and disappeared from my view.
Was she right? Did Landon love me?
A wave of nausea washed over me. I slapped a hand over my mouth and raced to the bathroom, abandoning my cart in the middle of the store.
I made it to the stall, emptying my stomach before I slumped against the wall.
Oh, shit.
22
I woke up on Tuesday morning to a request from Gretchen to come into the office immediately. More like a demand. But whatever. I had things to do before I could see her.
I got Mikayla on the bus, then stared at my phone for way too long. Because I had to go into the paper the day before, I didn’t see Landon for lunch. He asked if I was going to meet him today, but I couldn’t.
I was meeting my match for lunch.
I already have lunch plans, but I’ll come see you tomorrow if you’re available.
I’ll be here.
I locked my phone and forced myself to go into the office. All I wanted to do was curl up on the couch, but I couldn’t. I had responsibilities.
Starting with defending my article.
Gretchen was fuming by the time I arrived. She barked at me to come to her office, clearly watching for me before I got there.
Mike flashed me a sympathetic look, and a few others eyed me curiously. I held my head high as I went to face Gretchen.
“What the hell garbage is this?” Gretchen demanded before the door was closed. “Are you trying to put this paper out of business?”
I didn’t want to react, but I blanched at her tone. “I’m trying to write articles I believe the people of MacKellar Cove will enjoy.”
“Not all endings are happy, but this one is. The woman our favorite mayor was seen with two years ago… She’s the woman he loves, the one he’s spending the rest of his life with. And they couldn’t be happier together,” Gretchen read from the article I submitted.
“I take it you don’t like it?”
“No, I don’t like it. I hate it! No one cares. No one wants all the daisies and none of the drama. I’ve given you the rope to create articles that people would read, Casey, and all you’ve done is write fluff that kisses ass. That’s not what we do here.”
I drew a breath and let it out slowly. My blood pressure was high, as it always was when I had to meet with Gretchen. “What is it we do? What are you asking me to do?”
“I’m asking you to write something people want to read. Everyone knows that picture was Natalie. It’s old news now. You said nothing about drama at the wedding, one of them getting cold feet. Anything. We need something better than this.”
