“You're kidding me.”

I shake my head and stare at Pete, who's sitting in one of the chairs in front of my desk. He looks absolutely stunned by the news I just dropped on him.

“Serious as the proverbial heart attack,” I say.

“Why didn't you tell me you were going to do this?”

I give him a wry grin. “Because I knew you'd try to talk me out of it,” I say. “You'd give me a thousand different reasons why it won't work.”

“And I'd probably be right,” he says.

I shrug. “Maybe,” I say. “But, maybe not.”

“Come on, kid,” he says. “What in the hell do you know about running a newspaper?”

“Next to nothing,” I say and laugh. “But, I'm learning. I've been studying everything I can, trying to wrap my brain around it.”

“It's going to take you years to gain the level of competency –”

“Which is why I hired the best people I could find to help me,” I say. “I'm building a staff that will put me in the best position to learn on the job.”

Pete lets out a long breath and sits back in his seat. He looks at me for several long moments, not speaking, looking like he's still trying to wrap his head around it all.

“Honestly, it's no different than when I started CEM,” I explain. “I didn't know crap. So, I hired people – like you – who did. I learned as we went along, and I think we're doing okay, don't you?”

Pete gives me a rueful smile. “Touché, kid. Touché.”

“I said I wanted a new challenge,” I say. “I think I found it.”

“I'd say,” he chuckles. “So, where does this leave CEM?”

“In very capable hands – yours,” I say.

“Listen, I –”

“It's like I told you before, Pete,” I say, “there's nobody I trust more with CEM.”

“Yeah, but –”

I hold my hand up to stop him again. “But, I'm going to take your advice and not divest completely. I'll still be around. As far as the day-to-day decisions and operations go though, you're the man.”

Pete lets out a long breath and looks down at his hands, before looking back up at me again.

“You sure you're doing this for the right reasons, kid?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don't think I didn't notice that you bought the newspaper that fired Emma Simmonds,” he says, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Does acquiring that property have anything to do with her?”

I give him a small grin. “I could say no, but I think we'd both know that's a lie,” I say. “She might be part of it.”

“Part?” he asks, raising an eyebrow at me. “Or the motivating factor?”

I shrug. “I think she's got a world of talent,” I say. “She kept me reading, and that's saying something.”

“If you were interested in reading, a book would have been cheaper.”

“It's an investment,” I say. “The seller was pretty motivated. Got the whole operation for a song and dance.”

“I really hope you know what you're doing, kid,” he says.

“I don't,” I say. “But, that's why I hired good people. Worked out pretty well here.”

“You caught lightning in a bottle,” he says. “I worry about you being able to do it twice.”

I shrug. “It's money,” I say. “I'll always have the chance to make more. Which is why I'm not divesting fully from CEM.”

“Probably the smart play.”

“I'm really looking forward to this challenge, Pete. It's something new and totally different. You know how I get when I'm locked into a boring, tedious routine, and what it can lead to.”

“I do,” he says and nods.

“At least, with this, it won't be tedious or boring. I'll be learning new things,” I say. “And, taking on a big challenge of growing the paper. The old owner – or, I guess they're called the publisher – lacked motivation and was just content to let the paper die. He neglected it badly. Honestly, it probably wouldn't have survived another year.”

“Newspapers are a dying industry,” Pete says. “Even with pumping all this money and energy into it, the paper may still die in a year.”

“Possibly,” I say. “Or, I can be smart and adapt with the times. I can help this paper evolve into the digital age. I'm definitely not short on ideas, and I'm bringing in the right people to make this work. To make my vision for the Times Daily a reality.”

Pete's got an inscrutable expression on his face. I can tell he's not totally sold on this idea and thinks I'm making a rash decision. And maybe I am. Maybe, buying the paper just to make sure Emma has a job is stupid. Childish. It probably is.

But, I figure that it's my money. I worked my ass off for it, and I'll do what I please with it. Truth be told though, I really did get the place for next to nothing. Deavers was anxious to be out from under the paper and took pennies on the dollar for it. He spent more time explaining the reasons he wanted out than he did considering my offer before he accepted it. He didn't even try to negotiate, which surprised me.

And since I'm no idiot, I made sure to do some research before I even approached Deavers. I researched the market, the circulation numbers of the paper, the potential for growth, compared it to similarly sized papers in similar markets and put together what I thought was a fair proposal – though, taking care to leave enough room to negotiate up a bit if needed. It wasn't needed.

Yeah, I've got no experience in this arena, but I had no experience as an agent before I launched CEM. Pete thinks I can't catch lightning in a bottle twice – that only adds fuel to the fire for me. I'm competitive by nature, and when somebody tells me I can't do something, or expresses doubt that it can be done, it makes me hungry to prove them wrong.

There is nothing more satisfying than being able to walk up to my doubters and detractors, smile, and drop the mic on them. You don't even have to say a word. You just have to give them that look that lets them know they were wrong to doubt you. It's one of the greatest feelings in the world.

“Needless to say, I've got some reservations about the venture,” he says. “But, to be honest, I haven't seen you this excited about anything in a really long time. It's nice to see you so animated.”

“I am excited,” I say. “Like I told you, I needed a new challenge. This is definitely going to be that.”

Pete gives me a long, steady look. “You sure about this, kid?”

I nod. “One hundred percent. I feel energized again,” I say. “This change is exactly what I needed. It's not going to be easy, but it's necessary.”

“You've got my support,” he says. “One hundred percent. It's going to be weird without you here, though.”

“I think CEM can use a change too,” I say. “Some new, fresh ideas. I know you've got them.”

He smiles. “I may have a few.”

“Can't wait to see what you do with the place,” I say. “You've got full authority here, Pete.”

“I appreciate your faith in me,” he says.

“There's nobody I trust more.”

“You're a good man, Brice.”

“I’m not dying, Pete,” I say and laugh. “It's not like I'm gone forever. I'll be around. I'll probably still be in here bothering you all the time. I don't know that a publisher has a lot of official duties.”

“Good,” he says. “I want you to still be a strong presence here. This agency is your baby.”

“It's yours now,” I correct him. “Take it to the next level. I know you’re capable of doing it.”

Pete sits there, a small, sad smile on his face, but also a look of anticipation and excitement. I think this change is going to be good for both of us. I think we both needed a shakeup. Something to snap us out of our mundane routine and help us take things in our lives – and careers – to that next level. I really believe this will be as good for Pete as it will be for me.

“Shit,” I say as I glance at the clock. “I have to run. I've got a meeting to get to.”

“Good luck,” Pete says as I stand and bolt out the door.

“Are you serious?” I ask.

Ava is sitting behind her desk, sipping from a bottle of water, and nods. “Deadly serious,” she says in that crisp, British accent.

“And you just let her walk out of here?”

“What was I supposed to do, chain her to a desk?” Ava asks. “I tried best I could, Brice.”

I sit back in the seat and blow out a frustrated breath. “I know you did.”

Ava came to me as a referral from a trusted colleague familiar with the industry. When I started to explore the possibility, I reached out to contacts I've made through CEM. A journalist turned screenwriter named Cathy, gave me Ava's number. We met over lunch, I was really impressed with her, and offered her the position on the spot. She accepted.

I know the paper is in good hands with her. She's tough as nails, has a no-nonsense attitude that reminds me of Pete, and seems to know the industry inside and out. Her reputation is sterling. But, because the industry can be so insular, and from what I understand, an old boys network, Ava never got many opportunities to advance.

I know she's not going to be with me forever. She's going to make a name for herself here at the Times Daily, and eventually, she'll get a lucrative offer from a bigger, more prestigious paper. And I don't begrudge her that. A small place like this is going to be a stepping stone not just for her, but for a lot of people – including Emma. Hopefully.

But that's fine. It's the name of the game. Just like in sports, players make a name for themselves, build their brand, and then jump when a big, fat carrot is dangled in front of them. I don't begrudge anyone trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. It's the nature of the beast – and something I have profited from quite nicely over the years.

While working for me, however, they can help me build a rock-solid foundation for this paper. They can help me grow the brand. One, I hope, that endures and never stops growing and evolving.

It's stupid, but when I first started CEM – and again, now that I'm taking over the paper – I find myself thinking about my legacy. I mean, I built the agency up into something fantastic, and I hope to do the same with the paper. It got me thinking that it would be nice to hand it off to my children one day.

I've never been the settle down, get married, have a family type. But, seeing these businesses through their infancies, nurturing them, and watching them grow, has definitely made me see things a little differently. It’s changed my attitude in subtle ways. Not that I have a reason to think about kids right now, anyway.

“Did she say how long she needs to think about it?” I ask.

Ava shakes her head. “I told her to take a few days,” she replies. “Which is fine. I need to finish up these other employee evals and see where we are in terms of staff anyway. We have some time before the staff is finalized.”

I run a hand through my hair, feeling a flash of irritation. Honestly, I thought she would have jumped at the chance to come back. She seemed so distraught about losing her gig with the paper, and though she didn't say it, I knew Emma was afraid she had lost out on her dream job. That she'd never get another bite at the apple.

As somebody who has lost their dream job, I know it’s something I never want Emma to experience.

“You know, full disclosure here,” Ava says, “I bristled at you demanding I hire her. I don't like being told how to staff my office. It takes a level of trust between editor and writer. And to be perfectly honest, the fact that you're forcing this girl on me made my trust in her practically nonexistent.”

I shrug. “My paper,” I say. “My rules.”

“Fair enough,” she says. “Doesn't mean I have to like it though.”

“Is there a reason you object to her?” I ask. “Other than the fact that I want her here?”

She flashes me a sardonic grin. “Strangely enough, no,” she says. “I actually quite like her. She's tough. She's smart as a whip, and very talented as a writer. She made that dry, boring police blotter crap she was forced to write actually sound interesting.”

“Right?” I ask and chuckle.

“What is she to you though?” Ava asks, her eyes boring into mine. “I mean, why are you so insistent on having her on staff?”

“She's a kid who needs a break,” I say.

“That's all it is?”

“What are you implying?”

“Nothing,” she says. “I'm not implying anything. I'll just ask you straight out – are you trying to force her on me because you're sleeping with her?”

I look at her for a long moment, a ribbon of anger winding itself around my insides, squeezing me tight. It takes balls of steel to look me in the eye and ask me that question. I must give Ava some credit and respect for that – the woman is fearless.

“Frankly, I don't think that's any of your business.”

“Actually, it is,” she says. “I need to be able to operate a functioning, efficient, and professional newsroom. To do that, I can't have any kind of personal drama in here. Now, you've set some lofty goals for me, and if you –”

I hold my hand up to cut her off before she can get rolling. “Again, although I appreciate your concern, it's an inappropriate question.”

“With all due respect –”

“Let me just assure you that there is nothing inappropriate between Emma and me.”

Not that I don't want there to be. Not that I'm not going to do everything in my power to make it happen. Emma sparked something in me I've never felt before.

She may have rebuffed me the first time, but I'm not going to let her go that easily. I want her – whether Ava likes it or not.

“Then what is it about her?” Ava presses. “I mean, I have a hard time believing you read one of her clips – as well-written as they are – and decided to buy a paper just because she was out of a job.”

If she only knew how close she was to the money with that flippant remark. Not that I'm going to tell her that, of course. But, I know I have to give her something.

“Fine. Full disclosure,” I say, knowing good and well that’s a lie. “I was a friend of the family growing up. I knew Emma when she was a kid. Her brother was my best friend back in high school. I went away to college, and you know how those things go. I haven't seen her since she was like – eleven, maybe? I reconnected with them at their father's funeral recently and learned that she'd lost her job here. She seemed pretty torn up about it, actually. So, I –”

“So, you bought a newspaper, so she'd have a job?” she asked, astonishment in her voice.

“Not exactly.”

She laughs, a rich, throaty sound. “That's sort of what it sounds like.”

I shift in my seat and take a drink from the bottle of water I'm holding. “Truthfully, I was bored. Burned out. I needed a change,” I say. “It just so happened that my interests aligned with Emma's in this instance. I decided to take a leap of faith.”

“That's quite a leap,” she says. “Given, that you know nothing about the industry.”

“That's why I hired you,” I say. “You're going to teach me. I already built one company in an industry I knew nothing about, and today it's thriving. I plan to do that here as well.”

“You're an ambitious one, I'll give you that.”

“If you're not swinging for the fences in life, are you even living?” I ask.

She gives me a small nod and a smile. “I suppose not,” she says. “I respect your tenacity.”

“Thank you.”

“But, I also have to warn you that there will be some bumpy times ahead as you settle into this new role.”

“I anticipate having some rough patches,” I say.

“I just don't want you to think you can stroll in here, wave a magic wand, and replicate the kind of success you had with your other business.”

“I'm going into this with my eyes open,” I say. “I assure you. I know there is every chance this paper ends up folding. My goal is to make sure that doesn't happen.”

Ava gives me a long, even look. I can tell she's sizing me up. Trying to see what makes me tick. She's a very sharp woman. The type who can dissect you in an instant just by looking at you. I can tell that she doesn't miss much. She's thorough and dedicated. Which is one reason I'm glad she's heading up the team here.

“Okay,” she says. “I'm sold.”

“Sold?”

A bubbly laugh escapes her throat. “Honestly, part of me thought that this was just some hobby for you. A side project of sorts. Something to do to pass the time. You have the money, so why not take a stab at something different, right?” she says. “If it doesn't work out, no big deal, just cut your losses and move on to the next thing that sounds fun.”

“And now?” I ask.

“Now, I think I can see what drives you,” she says. “I can tell that you're competitive. You're not going to get complacent. I can tell that you'll do anything in your power to turn this ship around and make it successful. Mostly, just for the gratification of it – not necessarily because journalism is a burning passion of yours. I almost think you want to make this paper a success just so you can go back and rub it in the noses of the people who questioned you.”

I let out a rueful laugh. I'm right about her. Ava doesn't miss a single thing. I can see why she was such a good reporter – she has a keen eye.

“You got me,” I say. “I can't deny any of that.”

“Nothing wrong with it. I'm not judging,” she says. “I'm just making some observations. The one thing I will say though, is that one day, you're going to have to find motivation that isn’t fueled by proving other people wrong. One day, you're going to need to find satisfaction, if only within yourself. I mean, ten years from now, if the paper is running strong, I predict that you'll grow bored – just as you did with your agency. And after that, you'll move on to another challenge. And another. And another. You're never going to be satisfied until you can find something inside yourself to be satisfied with.”

“Wow,” I say and chuckle. “I didn't realize I was coming in for a therapy session.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “Apologies. Sometimes, I just get rolling and can't seem to stop myself.”

“No, it's okay,” I say. “I think you're right. And who knows? Maybe, if this paper starts to perform, this is the thing that will bring me that sense of satisfaction.”

“Maybe so,” she says, though I can hear in her voice that she doesn't believe me.

“Anyway,” I say. “Thanks for the chat. But, I now have a wayward journalist to wrangle.”

“And how are you going to do that?” she asks, clearly amused. “Emma's going to be difficult to convince.”

“I have an idea, actually,” I say, as a plan starts coming together in my head. “And I may need a little help from you.”