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Victoria cleared her throat loudly, sitting up and crossing her legs "What did I miss?"

"Oh, sorry," Liz said quickly "Victoria, this is Hayden Lane, my editor at the paper Hayden, my roommate, Victoria"

His face lit up and he stuck his hand out "I’ve heard a lot about you Great to finally meet you"

Victoria’s eyes darted to Liz and back as she slid her hand into his "I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Lane People call you Lane, right?"

"Yeah My friends callher hand after they shook

"No," she said plainly

"Oh, well, I like it See smile Liz tried to hide her own behind her hand

"It really doesn’t," Victoria bit back, not finding it funny at all

"Suit yourself," he said, turning back to Liz "Liz, I can’t believe hoell this all went After the reception of your work, would you be interested in covering the can division for the paper? You’re suited for it I’d let you take it whatever direction you see fit Consult me, but it’s yours I’d want you to start this summer"

Liz couldn’t hold back her shock this tin division to her! If she had thought being on the front cover was a drea her own coluht?" he asked

Her mouth fell open but she recovered quickly After all that aardness, he was actually going to ask her on a date?

"I’ed She could feel Victoria’s eyes on her

"Great There’s this gala in Charlotte that I want you to go to I have tickets, but my parents want me back in DC this weekend"

"Oh" Her heart sank He wanted her to work What rong with her? "Yeah, that’ll be great Just shoot me an eh Reprint!" he said with sointo the Union and disappear froone, she threw her head down on the table and gru?"

"He could start calling you Lizzie," Victoria suggested

Liz cracked up despite her frustration "I just…I swear he was going to ask ht?"

"Yeah," Liz ad

"Why don’t you make the move? I bet he’d like that," Victoria said, as if she knew

"I shouldn’t have to," Liz said stubbornly

"At least you have gala tickets," Victoria said

Liz rolled her eyes "Oh, ants to go to a political gala anyway?"

"I don’t know You’re asking the wrong person," Victoria replied, leaning back on her elbows and staring out across the Pit "Just find a hot guy there and forget about your Hayden Lane problems"

If it was only that easy…

Chapter 7

JEFFERSON-JACKSON GALA

The Charlotte Convention Center was aset in the heart of don Charlotte Nothing especially fancy, but large enough to hold bigger parties and conferences, and it even boasted a few high-end car shows It was a staple for luxury political banquets for the state

Liz kicked her flip-flops into the car and pulled out her pumps It was a two-hour drive from Chapel Hill, and she wasn’t about to drive that far in four-and-a-half-inch heels, especially not black leather platforms She slid the heels onto her feet and stepped out into the parking garage Her black satin dress fell to her knees, clinging to her athletic shape with a lace V-cut that hung softly off her shoulders Ablack belt cinched around her waist and tied in the back, accenting her waistline Her blond hair was loosely French braided across the front of her head and pulled into a one for neutral old clutch where her voice recorder was stored, she shut her car door and walked out of the parking garage It was a short walk to the convention center, and by the look of the people walking in with her, she was headed to the right place

Liz walked into the convention center behind ain whispers The entranceas all high arched ceilings, long white pillars, and a red-carpeted floor leading down an extended hallway It was ih, but could use a little work to keep up with the clientele it boasted Liz wasn’t coht it was beautiful