Page 153 of And Now, Back to You

Gianna’s eyes soften as we hustle down a hallway. “Trust me, okay?” Her hand reaches for mine. “We’ve got it covered.”

“Where’s Jackson?”

Her mouth twitches. A smile lingers behind her eyes. “He’s executing his part of the plan.”

“He has a part?”

“It was his idea.”

I am flying blind. Not a single thing is going how I thought it would. Mark grips my arm and steers me into an unmarked room. Gianna follows quickly, snapping the door shut behind us.

I glance around, bewildered. “Is that a crab?”

There’s a mascot costume discarded in the corner, the head tipped on its side, crab legs protruding from the cheeks like some sort of aquatic Frankenstein’s monster. One of the pincers is holding a microphone. I’m honestly sort of surprised Keith has never made me wear this on air.

“Oh. Yeah. There was a short-lived mascot for the television station back in the eighties. This is where he stays now.”

I stare at the grotesque, crumpled heap on the floor. “How short-lived?”

“He was on one broadcast, and the viewer outrage was swift and unanimous.” She snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Focus. Ava will be here in a minute. Do you feel ready?”

“She’s coming to the room with the crab?”

“Delilah.”

“I mean, I guess I’m ready.” I clutch at my file folder. “You guys are handling Keith?”

Mark doesn’t look up from his phone, thumbs moving furiously. “The distraction is in place.”

“What distraction?”

“Honestly, Delilah. You’re asking so many questions and none of them are the right ones.” Gianna grips my shoulders. “There have been some adjustments, but your part of the plan hasn’t changed. Do exactly as we practiced. Get your job back. Take Keith down.” She shakes me back and forth. “Save the day.”

“That seems a little dramatic.”

“It’s exactly as dramatic as it needs to be.”

A knock sounds at the door. Three quick, light raps. Gianna cracks open the door, and Maggie pokes her head through.

“Ava will be walking down the hallway in three minutes,” she whispers. “Everyone is in their places.” She flashes me a smile. “Good luck, Delilah.”

“That’s our cue.” Gianna grabs Mark by the wrist and starts hauling him out of the room. “Count to thirty, then walk down the hall toward your desk. Make it seem like an accident, okay?”

I nod. This part of the plan I remember. We were supposed to make it look like I was coming to retrieve the rest of my items, then run into Ava in the hall.

Mark, Gianna, and Maggie quickly leave, the door snicking shut behind them. I take a deep breath, hold it in for the count of two, then release it. I squeeze my eyes shut. As much as I love Gianna, I wish it were Jackson who had waited with me in the car. Maybe he could have kissed me as a distraction this time.

“Like a lamp,” I whisper to myself, starting the slow count to thirty. I hear heels clicking own the hall at twenty-seven, and I slip out, file folder under my arm.

Ava Monroe is the picture of professional elegance. Sleek gray bob. Dark, winged eyeliner. An evergreen sweater and a smart pencil skirt. A flicker of surprise flashes across her face before she schools her expression.

“Delilah,” she says, her low voice melodic in the otherwise empty hallway. “This is certainly a surprise.”

“Hello, Ava.” I clutch my file folder so hard the thick paper crinkles under my grip. “I was hoping for a minute of your time.”

“I was wondering why I was summoned for an emergency budget meeting Keith seemingly had no idea about.” A rare smile breaks across Ava’s severe features. “Though I will say, I did enjoy watching him hustle around his office looking for something to present to me.”

I roll my lips against my grin. “I’m sorry there was so much . . . subterfuge, but I wanted to have a chance to speak with you. Uninterrupted.”