The Girl With Diamonds (Midtown Brotherhood Book 2) by Savannah Blevins Page A

“What? I told her she wasn’t getting fired.”
    “Could you sound like you care about someone other than yourself for once?”
    Cressida looked at Magnolia, her annoyance with Stella evident by her gross change of tone. “Good luck, Maggie. I really hope nothing horrific happens in there, but either way, you’re still going to Wine and Craft night with me because our other good-for-nothing friend Stella bailed already.” Then Cressida looked at Stella. “Better?”
    Magnolia left the girls to bicker and dragged her feet down the hall. She wrapped her fuzzy gray sweater tighter around her waist and pushed her glasses back up her nose. She checked in with Mrs. Stamcose’s secretary, and he let her pass. The boss was expecting her.
    She hadn’t even gotten to go to Central Park yet, or see Wicked . Her future flashed before her. Empty. Lonely. Unfulfilled. The embarrassment would be too much. She couldn’t go back to Atlanta with her tail between her legs after only five weeks. Felix would not win. If this failed, she would move on and try again. She knocked on the door, her shoulders slumping.
    “Come in, Miss Cross.”
    She gave the giant wooden door a shove and almost fell into the room. Mrs. Stamcose’s office was gigantic, at least compared to the four by five foot closet she worked in every day. “Have a seat.”
    Magnolia slid into a large leather chair in front of her desk. It made her feel like a child in timeout. “You wanted to see me?”
    “I’ve been hearing things about you, Miss Cross.”
    This was it. One interview. Even in her worst nightmares she thought she at least would make it past one interview.
    “Good things, Miss Cross.” Mrs. Stamcose smiled at her, leaning back in her chair. “All good things.”
    “Really?”
    Mrs. Stamcose let out a hearty laugh, lacing her fingers together on her desk. “My staff here is impressed with you, and they are known for having a sharp eye for talent.”
    “Thank you, ma’am.”
    “No need to thank me. You’re the one doing all the hard work. Our affiliate in L.A. is looking for a new full-time reporter. I told him I had a crop of newbies in training, and one in particular who sounded perfect for the job.”
    Magnolia’s mouth dropped open. “A job? Like a real job?”
    “After your internship, of course.”
    “Of course.”
    “It would require you moving to Los Angeles, but this job, Magnolia, has potential. If I’ve learned anything about you in these few short weeks, it’s that you like potential. Working with Oliver Stanton would be a giant step toward that major network you’re so eager to climb toward.”
    Major network. She definitely just said major network. “Yes. Thank you for thinking of me.”
    “I told Oliver I would keep in contact with him, and I’d let him know when I thought you were ready. I want to make sure you’re prepared before I send you out there.”
    Magnolia felt like a bobblehead. Her head might shake off her shoulders at any moment.
    “Good.”
    Magnolia stood, but Mrs. Stamcose scooted up in her seat. “I’m not finished.”
    Magnolia sat back down.
    Mrs. Stamcose turned her computer screen around. Magnolia’s scowling face standing next to Austin filled the screen.
    The interview. That stupid website. The tiny hint of rainbow forming over her tattering dreams faded back to gray.
    “I’m not upset, Miss Cross. What happened during that interview wasn’t your fault.”
    “Ma’am, I can explain.”
    Mrs. Stamcose brushed her hand in the air. “There is no need. You’re a young, vibrant woman in an NHL locker room. They’re going to flirt with you, Magnolia. I’m sure it isn’t the first time. Hell, I’ve seen it a million times. ”
    Magnolia sat frozen in her spot.
    Mrs. Stamcose started the video, fast forwarding it to a specific spot, and then paused it. “I’ve seen it enough to notice the same thing that Ferra Decantur did.”
    She pointed at the screen. She pointed to Magnolia’s