Closely Guarded Secret Read Free

but they asked Jodi if she would allow me to take the shots.
     
    “I have you and your “in” at Forbes to thank for that. You’ve helped me in so many ways. Eternity is not enough time to show my gratitude.” She smiles her dazzling shy smile at my compliment.
     
    “You have the talent. I just point you in the right direction. That’s all.” She’s so modest, but without her, I wouldn’t have flourished like I have. She was a high profile photographer; still is, though now, she concentrates on the magazine.
     
    Jodi isn’t in her usual form tonight. Whenever she wants to drop a bomb on me, she gets like this. As we talk, I can’t take it anymore and finally tell her to blurt it out. “Jodi, what is it? You’re acting weird. Well, too weird for you.”
     
    “You picked up on that, huh?” she says as though she’s distracted.
     
    “Seriously? We’ve known each other how long, and you’re surprised when I call you out?”
     
    “Okay, The Bridge feature article on Bryce Steede’s life story got moved up to the week after next, when you’re on vacation.”
     
    “It was planned for the end of the month!” Damn. I’ve already made all the location arrangements.
     
    “Yes, but the other owners wanted to move it up, based on the publicity around the Forbes article. I tried to explain that we needed your magic touch on the photography, but I was out voted. ‘Strike while the iron is hot’ is the idea. Steede is hot right now. It seems all the women want him and all the men want to be like him. We’re lucky Steede agreed to the change on such short notice. He also agreed to the same locations.”
     
    “What are you worried about then? Sean’s a good photographer. Everything will be okay.”
     
    With her voice lowered and her words clipped and tense, Jodi says, “Ali, you don’t understand. Just because Sean’s the nephew of another owner, doesn’t mean he’s up to the task. We don’t need good, we need great. With increased interest in Steede, our sales should boom. This article’s the one that can make us a national name. If we want to play with the big boys, I need the best photographer, and that’s you.”
     
    “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Try not to worry. You always do this when faced with a challenge and it turns out better than you expect.”
     
    “Ali, Bryce Steede is not one to give interviews often. I don’t know how we got so lucky when I know several publications that have tried to get him but failed. We were surprise and quite shocked when he agreed to our interview.” She sighs then hesitates, while twisting her napkin around her fingers.
     
    “What. What is it? What aren’t you telling me?” She shuffles around in her seat and I can see the apprehension in her eyes. “Come on, out with it.” I snap.
     
    “I know you have that week off, but could you please come in and do the shoot? Please, Ali, please?” Jodi’s begging? I think the Earth just tilted on its axis a bit.
     
    I’ve been looking forward to taking the week off for some much-needed R&R, with a surprise visit to my mom.
     
    Jodi pouts, and her bottom lip trembles. She’s so maddening when she gets like this. She’s supposed to be the strong one, teaching me, but sometimes the teacher becomes the student.
     
    “I’ll be back Thursday evening. Can I let you know then?” I ask. This is what Jodi’s worked so hard for, along with the other editors and staff. I can understand her fear.
     
    “Sure, Ali. That’ll be fine.” A trace of a smile lights up her expression and her body relaxes. She’s quick to subdue it but I see a sense of relief wash over her face.
     
    “I’ll call you from New York.” I embrace her in a warm hug as we leave.
     
    “Okay, sounds good. Have a safe flight. I can’t wait to see your photos from the shoot. I know they’ll be spectacular, as usual.” With that, she’s back to her calm, strong self.
     
    Light traffic makes the drive home a breeze. Packing,