Chapter 477 - Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 477: Chapter 477 - Unexpected Visitor

Roxie woke up smiling.

She was still half asleep when the memory of last night returned, and she ended up burying her face in her pillow to keep herself from laughing.

God, Zac Prescott.

She wished she’d taken a picture of his face when she handed him her underwear and told him she was leaving. The arrogant bastard had looked genuinely confused, which was quite an achievement considering how much confidence that man possessed.

He deserved it.

After spending the entire evening humiliating her, making ridiculous demands, and treating her like some desperate woman asking for his charity, he’d finally gotten a taste of his own medicine.

Roxie rolled onto her back, grinning at the ceiling.

Roxie reached for her phone and checked the screen.

Nothing.

She frowned before opening her messages. What exactly was she expecting? A thank-you message?

She laughed at herself and tossed the phone back onto the bed. Zac was probably still furious, and considering how she’d left him last night, she could hardly blame him.

She got out of bed, showered, and prepared for work. By the time she finished putting on her makeup, she’d checked her phone another two times.

The third time, she caught herself staring at the empty notification screen.

"For fuck’s sake, Roxie."

She shoved the phone into her handbag and left the bedroom.

Angela was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when Roxie arrived. She was spreading cream cheese onto a bagel while watching a baking tutorial on her tablet, occasionally shaking her head whenever the woman in the video did something she apparently disagreed with.

Karen was already sitting at the table, dressed for work, with her laptop open beside a half-finished cup of coffee.

"Morning," Roxie greeted them, heading straight for the coffee machine.

Angela glanced up. "Oh, you’re finally awake. I was wondering whether I should check your pulse. You went straight into your bedroom last night, and I didn’t hear anything from you afterward."

"I was tired, Angela. Some of us have jobs that require leaving the apartment."

"Excuse me, I have a job. In fact, I’m researching a new recipe right now, and this woman is putting cold butter into her dough. I don’t understand how she’s managed to convince millions of people that she knows what she’s doing."

Karen looked over her laptop. "And I don’t understand how Kurt let you work here when you are an architect. You’re a spoiled little princess."

"That happens when you are one of the heirs of the company."

"Nepo baby," Karen muttered.

"Jealous bitch." Angela flipped her off, and the two laughed.

Roxie grinned as she poured herself coffee.

Unfortunately, Angela soon remembered that there was something considerably more interesting to discuss.

"So, how did your meeting go last night?" she asked, picking up her bagel. "You mentioned you were trying to arrange another interview, and then you disappeared for the entire evening. Did you manage to convince somebody?"

Roxie kept her attention on her coffee.

"We’re still discussing it. The person seemed interested, but I haven’t confirmed anything yet."

Angela considered that answer while chewing. "Well, that’s better than another publicist ignoring your emails. Who is it? Somebody famous enough to make Graham stop breathing down your neck?"

"Hopefully. I’ll tell you when everything’s finalized. I don’t want to announce anything and then have the person change their mind."

"Fair enough. Although I still think you should try Zac. After that press conference, half the internet is talking about you and the Giants. Or try that Ellis. You’d be crazy to let that opportunity go."

Roxie nearly poured too much milk into her coffee.

Of course Angela would bring him up.

She put the carton down and tried to sound casual. "I’ve been looking into several possibilities. Victor’s helping me contact people, and we’re trying to figure out who would be the best guest for the next episode."

Angela watched her for a moment.

"Why are you smiling?"

Roxie looked up. "I’m having breakfast, Angela. Am I supposed to look miserable?"

"No, but I asked about your interview and you suddenly started looking very pleased with yourself. Did something happen last night?"

Karen glanced at Roxie over her coffee.

Roxie could already see where this was going.

"Nothing happened. I went to a meeting, discussed a possible interview, and came home. It was a perfectly ordinary evening."

Angela put down her bagel. "Then why are you explaining it like you’re giving a statement to the police? I only asked whether the meeting went well."

Roxie pressed her lips together.

God, she hated having friends who knew her this well.

"It went fine," she replied, taking a sip of coffee. "A little frustrating, but I think I made an impression."

"Oh, you made an impression?" Angela repeated, her interest increasing. "That’s a very interesting way to describe a business meeting. Was the person attractive?"

Roxie choked on her coffee.

Karen immediately reached for a napkin while Angela burst out laughing.

"See! I knew there was something!"

"Angela, I nearly died because you decided to ask me a stupid question while I was drinking!"

"Then answer it properly! You went somewhere last night, came home looking pleased, and now you’re acting like I’m asking you to reveal state secrets. Was it a date?"

"It was a business meeting. I’ve told you that three times already!"

"Business meetings can turn into dates, Roxie. It happens all the time. People go out for dinner, discuss work, have a few drinks, and suddenly somebody’s getting married six months later."

Karen laughed. "Where exactly are you getting these statistics?"

"From real life, Karen. You should try paying attention to it instead of staring at spreadsheets all day."

Roxie shook her head, desperately searching for a way to end the conversation.

Then she remembered something.

Oh.

This was perfect.

"Speaking of interesting evenings," she said casually, turning toward Karen, "you came home pretty late last night. I thought you were supposed to be finishing some reports."

Karen stopped moving.

Angela turned toward her.

"Wait. You went out last night?"

Roxie smiled into her coffee.

Wonderful.

Karen closed her laptop with a little more force than necessary.

"Yes, Angela. I went out after work. I sometimes do that when I get tired of looking at my computer."

Angela looked offended. "Excuse me, why am I only hearing about this now? I was home all evening wondering whether I should order dinner, and you were apparently out enjoying yourself."

"You ordered dinner anyway," Karen replied. "I saw the containers in the refrigerator when I got home."

"That’s beside the point. Where did you go? You usually tell us when you’re meeting friends, especially when you’re going to be out late."

Karen glared at Roxie.

Roxie gave her an innocent smile.

Oh, she knew exactly what she’d done.

"I had dinner with someone," Karen admitted, reaching for her coffee. "We talked for a while, and I lost track of the time. There’s really nothing interesting about it."

Angela leaned forward.

"Someone? What someone? You have about four friends outside this apartment, and I know most of them. Was it somebody from work?"

Karen sighed. "Angela, I’m twenty-eight years old. Are you my mom?"

Roxie finally lost the battle and started laughing.

Karen glared at her.

"You’re enjoying this far too much, Roxie. Weren’t we discussing your meeting a moment ago?"

"Oh, we were, but your evening sounds considerably more interesting. Please continue."

Angela looked between them.

Then her eyes widened.

"Wait a minute. Was it Mason?"

Karen lowered her coffee.

Roxie saw the hesitation immediately.

Oh, shit.

Angela saw it too.

"IT WAS MASON!"

"Angela, lower your voice! The neighbors can probably hear you."

"Oh my God, Karen! For years, you’ve been telling us Mason is not your type. Now you’re sneaking out to have dinner with him?"

"I wasn’t sneaking anywhere." Her cheekbones reddened. "We were out for business."

"And that’s why you came home so late? Must’ve been a fascinating discussion about work," Roxie said, fanning the flame.

Karen shot her another look.

"If you keep talking, Roxie, I’m going to remember that you were the one acting suspicious five minutes ago."

Roxie immediately raised her mug.

"I’m just happy you’re making new friends."

Angela looked delighted. "Oh, I have so many questions. Is Mason actually serious about you? Because I’ve seen the way he looks at you whenever we’re all together, and that man is still definitely interested."

Karen stood, gathering her laptop and handbag.

"Angela, if you want answers, you can ask Mason yourself the next time you see him. I’m already running late, and I have a meeting this morning."

"That sounds like a yes!"

"It sounds like I’m going to work."

She walked past Roxie, stopping long enough to lean toward her.

"Enjoy your victory," Karen murmured. "I’ll remember this."

Roxie grinned.

"Love you too."

Karen gave her one last threatening look before leaving the kitchen.

Angela watched her go, then turned back toward Roxie.

"I cannot believe she went out with Mason and didn’t tell us. We’re supposed to be her best friends!"

Roxie laughed, finishing the last of her coffee.

"Maybe she wanted to enjoy her dinner without answering fifty questions about it."

Angela considered that.

Then she shrugged.

"Well, that’s unfortunate for her because I’m absolutely asking Mason the next time I see him."

Roxie could only shake her head.

Poor Karen.

But at least Angela had finally forgotten about her meeting.

For now.

By the time Roxie arrived at Crestline, the newsroom was already busy.

Several reporters were gathered around the assignment desk, producers were discussing the morning rundown, and somebody near the editing stations was complaining about a video file that refused to export.

Roxie greeted a few colleagues before heading toward her desk.

"Roxie! Finally!"

Victor approached her with his tablet in hand, looking like he’d been waiting for her arrival.

"Please tell me you’ve got some good news," he said. "Graham asked me about the next episode twice this morning, and I haven’t even finished my coffee. Apparently, the man has discovered that our YouTube channel exists and now expects us to produce miracles every week."

Roxie laughed as she put down her handbag.

"Well, considering he barely wanted to fund the first episode, I’m surprised he remembers what the program is called."

"He’s suddenly very interested. The Natalie Brooks interview passed forty thousand views, and we’re still gaining subscribers. The numbers are slowing down compared to yesterday, but people are watching our older clips too."

Victor showed her the updated analytics.

Roxie leaned closer, pleased to see that the channel was continuing to attract viewers. It wasn’t enough to guarantee the show’s future, but it was considerably better than the numbers she’d been staring at a few days ago.

"That’s encouraging. Have we had any more responses from the publicists?"

"A couple. Nothing particularly exciting yet. Which brings me to the question Graham keeps asking. Have you got somebody promising for episode two?"

Roxie hesitated.

She thought of Zac sitting in his private gym, his ridiculous terms, and the completely unprofessional way their meeting had ended.

God.

"Possibly," she replied. "I’m still talking to someone, but I want to make sure everything’s settled before I give you a name."

Victor studied her.

"Someone famous?"

"Very."

He grinned.

"Okay, now you’ve got my attention. If this works out, I might actually forgive you for making me spend yesterday editing three different versions of the same promotional clip."

Roxie laughed. "You’ll survive. Besides, the sports desk needs me this morning. I’ve got a segment to prepare, and I’d rather get through it before Graham decides to ask me another question about our subscriber count."

"Fine. But the moment that guest confirms, you call me. I need time to prepare a proper production schedule."

"I will."

Victor headed back toward his editing station while Roxie opened her computer.

She glanced at her phone.

Still nothing from Zac.

Her smile faded.

Perhaps she’d pushed him too far last night.

Then again, he’d been the one making ridiculous demands. If he wanted to reconsider the arrangement, he could simply tell her.

Roxie put her phone facedown on the desk and opened the sports rundown. She had actual work to do.

The sports department was preparing a package on the Giants’ receiving corps ahead of their upcoming game. Martin, the producer, was already reviewing footage when Roxie joined him. They spent the next half hour checking player information, choosing the clearest replays, and tightening the script. Naturally, Jordan Ellis was featured, which earned her another round of teasing from the editing staff.

"At this rate, we’re going to have to invite him back just to keep our ratings up," Martin joked.

Roxie rolled her eyes. "You’re welcome to interview him yourself. Just make sure his microphone is off before you start asking questions."

They laughed, and Roxie returned to work. She reviewed the final script, corrected a player statistic, and requested a different replay angle before approving the package.

Twenty minutes later, she was inside the sports studio having her microphone checked. The director counted down, the camera light turned red, and Roxie began her report.

"Good afternoon. The New York Giants are preparing for another important matchup this weekend, with attention turning toward their younger receiving group and the consistency of their passing offense."

She introduced the prepared footage, delivered a brief update on the team’s preparations, and transitioned into the league’s injury reports and upcoming games. The segment ran smoothly, with Roxie handling the transitions and last-minute cues without difficulty.

"Clear. Nice work, Roxie," the director said when they finished.

She thanked the crew and headed back toward the newsroom. It felt good to spend the morning concentrating on her reporting instead of worrying about Graham, the YouTube channel, or whatever ridiculous arrangement she’d apparently entered into with Zac Prescott.

By late afternoon, Roxie was back at her desk, reviewing the list of potential guests Victor had sent her. She’d contacted two publicists, reviewed another celebrity’s upcoming schedule, and started drafting a follow-up email when her phone vibrated beside her keyboard.

She glanced at the screen.

Zac Prescott.

Roxie stopped typing.

Well, look who finally remembered how to use a phone.

She stared at his name for another moment before answering, determined to sound completely unaffected.

"What?"

"Where are you?"

Roxie leaned back in her chair. "At work, Zac. Where else would I be on a weekday?"

"Are you finished?"

"Almost. I’ve got a few things to wrap up before I leave. Why?"

"Come downstairs."

Roxie frowned.

"What do you mean, downstairs?"

"I’m waiting outside."

She straightened in her chair.

"Outside where?"

"Crestline. Come out, Roxie."

And the call ended.

Roxie stared at her phone.

What the fuck?