Page 2 of Speed

CHAPTER 1

THE ASSIGNMENT

KAYLA

If the line wasn't long, I figured I'd have just enough time to grab a double latte before the Monday morning staff meeting. Being late to the meeting was unacceptable to the editor, but getting through the meeting without a strong dose of caffeine was unacceptable to me. While I was waiting to order, a text came in from Justin.

"I had a great time Saturday. Are you free for dinner tomorrow? Hope you have a good day."

I placed my order with the barista and felt a mild sense of dread come over me as I thought about the text message. Justin was perfectly nice, and I'd enjoyed the dates we'd been on, but I didn't really want to see him again. There was no point. If I didn't break it off now, it would just be harder to do it later.

While I waited for my drink, I thought about how to respond. I should have been a pro at this by now. I felt like I'd brushed off or broken things off with more than my fair share of guys, and it wasn't like most of them were that bad; they just weren't right for me. Maybe I should be wondering what was wrong with me, and why it had been so hard to find the right guy. Maybe I was too picky, but I didn't want to settle or continue to see someone who just didn't feel like "the one.”

I pushed those thoughts aside as I made my way to the office and remembered that I needed to focus on the upcoming meeting. I needed to pitch a few story ideas and wanted to be prepared to present them in the most persuasive way. I'd figure out how to respond to Justin later.

I made it to the meeting with a couple of minutes to spare and took a seat at the far end of the table. Dean strode in at exactly eight and the room quieted. He ran a tight ship.

The meeting followed its usual format. He reviewed highlights and feedback from the most recent issue, then presented new assignments. Some of the ideas were given to specific writers, and others were up for grabs.

After assigning articles on an upcoming museum event and a golf course redesign, Dean stunned me with his next topic.

"A race car driver is relocating here, Axel Beckers. He's an up-and-comer in the racing community, and a mainstay of the national gossip media. He's having a new home built here, and we'd like to do a small feature on him. I think he's NASCAR. Any takers on this one?"

"Actually, he races Indy cars," I said.

Everyone in the meeting turned to look at me. As I was newer on the staff of the city magazine, I didn't typically speak up until it was time for pitches, and even then I was probably not as vocal as I should be.

Dean looked down at his paperwork, running a finger along his notes. "Oh, yeah, Indy racing. Second year coming up. Quite a hotshot, I think. I've been in touch with his manager and they're looking for some good PR."

"I'd like this one," I said. I didn't even think; I just spoke on impulse. Meanwhile, part of my brain was working double time. Axel was going to live here? Last I'd seen, he was settled on the other coast.

Again, all eyes were on me, and Dean's were clearly skeptical. "Kayla?"

I knew he was thinking that I probably wasn't a good fit for this. My typical articles were about neither sports nor celebrities.

"I'm a big racing fan, and I'm familiar with his career," I said. "Even prior to his Indy racing."

Someone to the right of me chuckled, and I realized I sounded like a fangirl. Axel had a reputation for having a lot of female fans, most of whom probably didn't even know the difference between a road course and an oval.

Dean stared at me for a beat, then looked around the table as if he were hoping for any other takers. Seeing none, he returned to me. "You really think you're ready for this, Kayla?"

"Definitely, Dean." I knew I sounded eager, and I didn't care.

He hesitated another second, then nodded once. "Okay, Kayla on Beckers. We'll want stuff on his career, his personal life, and why he's relocating here. Details about his house, if it's newsworthy." He looked back at his notes. "Also, I told his manager we'd call today. Beckers is in town for a few days this week."

"Got it," I said. I felt the thrill of victory, which lasted for approximately five seconds before the reality of the situation set in. Would Axel even agree to meet with me?

CHAPTER 2

SEXY, SMART AND ALL GROWN UP

KAYLA

That afternoon, I called his manager and set up a lunch interview with Axel for the following day. Before heading home, I stuck my head in a coworker's cubicle.

"Marlee, I need to borrow your name."

"Sure. Just be sure to have it dry-cleaned before you give it back." She continued to tap away on her keyboard as she answered me.