One Night Read Free Page A

wasn’t keen on working with someone who reminded him so much of dear ol’ Mom.
     
    The days that followed proved to be more strained than the whole previous year, despite their bestefforts to prove otherwise. Although Kyle never actually saw Clyde watching him and Carrie, the station manager was there, big as life. He remained hidden in the background, probing into the fractured relationship like a schoolboy prying at road kill with a long stick.
    It didn’t come as any surprise when Clyde asked to see them both in the office at the end of the second week. Kyle wished to hell he’d been able to work something out with Carrie, but their lunch and subsequent encounters had proved how impossible that was.
    Carrie’s eyes met his, filled with accusation and dread. He made sure his own gaze echoed the sentiment. The way he saw it, they were both decent people who simply brought out the worst in each other. Kyle had never said to any other woman the things he said to Carrie. He was convinced the same was true for her.
    Clyde motioned toward the two wooden chairs in his office.
    “Have you two have anything to say before I give you your last paychecks?” he asked, eyeing them as if he expected to read the small print of their warring personalities across their foreheads.
    “Of course,” Kyle lied. “This job means a good deal to us both.”
    “Kyle and I deeply respect each other,” Carrie added quickly, with a smile so dazzling it might have blinded anyone else.
    Clyde’s hands went behind his back. “That’s not the way I hear it.”
    Kyle opened his mouth to protest, and he noticedthat Carrie did too, but Clyde stopped them both with an outstretched hand.
    “I’d hoped you two would work toward becoming friends.”
    “We’re friends, aren’t we, Kyle?” Carrie asked him hurriedly.
    The bright, phony smile was back, and if he could see through it, Clyde would as well.
    “Of course we’re friends,” Kyle answered, making an effort to be convincing. “Good friends. Why, we had lunch just the other day and talked everything out. We made a few basic decisions.”
    Clyde frowned and started pacing the narrow space between them and his desk. He didn’t say anything, and Kyle grew more uncomfortable with every sweep he made past the chairs.
    “You know we’re both signed up for the broadcasters’ convention in Dallas next weekend, don’t you?” Kyle directed to Clyde.
    “Yes. From what I understand it’s a great place to pass out your résumés.”
    “As Kyle was saying, we had lunch together and came up with a few ideas of how to overcome our differences,” Carrie said.
    “What ideas?” Clyde asked pointedly.
    Kyle looked to Carrie at a lss. Damn it all, he hated to lose this job. It was exactly the experience he needed before moving into television as a news director. He was willing to start at the bottom and gain the necessary experience. He certainly hadn’t anticipated being fired.
    “We decided to drive to the convention together,” Carrie said.
    Drive to the convention together? Where the hell did she get that idea? Kyle bit back a reply. She’d actually suggest they travel together after their disastrous lunch? The woman was nuts. Or desperate. Probably both.
    “Really?” Clyde paused mid-step and stared at them for a moment.
    “It’s a sort of sink-or-swim project,” Carrie said, warming to the subject. “Kyle suggested it, and I agreed. We want to do whatever we can to convince you to give us another chance. If you still want to fire us after the convention, then by all means go ahead. All we’re asking is that you give us this one last opportunity.”
    Kyle noticed that the deejay was perched dangerously close to the edge of her seat. Another inch and she’d land on her fanny.
    “Working at KUTE means that much to you?” Clyde asked.
    “Oh, yes,” Carrie said.
    Kyle thought she might find work in the theater. Surely the woman had a flare for the dramatic.
    Clyde said