CHAPTER 2
With no breaking news, the morning rundown meeting was uneventful, MacKenzie returned to her office to continue planning the show for that night. There is a knock at her door, and Jim walks in.
"Got a minute?"
"For you, always. What's up?"
"I was thinking that we need to bring in some new sources from the DoD. We always use the same people, and its getting stale. Instead of retired service members who have been out of the sandbox for years, we need some fresh talent with recent experience. I have a few names in mind that I want to run by you."
"Jim, you are always reading my mind. I have been thinking the same thing for months. Who did you have in mind.?"
"Well, you can probably guess my first choice, but I have several others for you to consider as well."
"Let me guess, does Major Mike top your list?"
"Yes, but I think he tops yours as well so what do you say can we give him a shot?"
"As you know he returned from Afghanistan just a few months ago, he would be a great source. Ironically, I got an email from him this morning stating that he was coming to New York City for some job interviews this week. He wants to catch up and have me show him the city. I can ask him if he would be interested in coming on our show at some point. I am sure he would love to see you too, maybe we can all grab dinner tomorrow after the show."
"Mac, that would be great. I would love to see Mike, but I think he mostly just wants to see you."
"Jim, don't be ridiculous. He loves you too. The three of us made a great team. It's settled we will all grab dinner after the show tomorrow night."
"If you say so, but I am telling you Mike wants you all to himself. That man could not take his eyes off of you for seven months, and if you had not been heartbroken over losing Will, I am certain he would have tried to date you. Think about it, we were embedded with more units than I can count, and how many of those guys have we stayed in touch with?"
"We made a connection with Mike, that's why he stays in touch."
"You made a connection with Mike, that's why he stays in touch. He does not email me, just you, for over two years now. I am telling you Mac, he's interested, very interested. And if you gave him an ounce of encouragement he would probably drop everything to be with you. He knows you will not leave New York again. Don't you think that maybe he is doing some job interviews in New York City to gauge your interest in him and see if its worth making a career change. He has over twenty years of service, he could retire tomorrow, take a consulting job in New York, and make a very nice six figure salary."
"Jim, how long have you thought all this?"
"Mac, seeing you two together for seven months, I honestly thought it was a matter of time before you got together. You and Mike would be great together. You are both incredibly driven and positive people, and you share a lot of common interests. And unlike someone else I know, in seven months I cannot think of you and Mike having a single argument. At the time I could not figure out why Mike never made a move, it may have been that he was too professional to make a move on an embed but I think it was more that he realized how hung up you were on Will. He knew the timing was not right then, but maybe it is now."
"I'm still in love with Will, and even if he has no such feelings for me, I am not ready to let that dream go. I keep hoping that if I keep working as hard as I can for him and show him how much I still love him and want to be with him through my actions that one day he will forgive me and we will be able to try again."
"Mac, it's been over five years since you and Will broke up and you are still love sick. He on the other hand, has dated more women than I can count, and is currently planning to ask a certain gossip columnist to move in with him. You have to see that he has moved on. It's time you do the same, you deserve to be happy, and Mike is a really great guy."
"Jim, you always have to be the voice of reason. I know you are right. Mike is a great guy, and if Will is not an option Mike would be my second choice. I just don't know how to convince myself that I should settle for a man I love but am not completely in love with."
"Mac, dating Mike is not settling. If you ask me he is the better man. From everything I have observed, Mike treats you way better than Will. In fact it is not even a fair comparison to make, there is no comparison. I know Will was your first love, and maybe that's why it's so hard for you to move on, but don't lose your future because you are stuck in the past."
"Jim, how is it that you can be so insightful with my love life, and a complete idiot in your own.?"
"Probably for the same reason, you are so insightful with my love life, and a complete idiot in your own."
"Jim, thanks for the advice and support. I will think about Mike and Will, now let's get back to doing the news. Our show won't produce itself tonight."
Jim leaves Mac's officer, it's now 12:30 and time for lunch, but first Mac decides to check her emails before she heads out to meet Sloan for lunch. How is it that, being in a meeting for an hour and talking to Jim for ten minutes has resulted in her having over thirty new emails. She quickly scans through the emails, prioritizing them in her mind. Then she sees it, the response from Mike.
MacKenzie,
Thank you for the prompt response. I arrive tomorrow at 1100, it should take me about an hour to grab my bags and take a cab into Manhattan, I can meet you for lunch at 1230. I am staying at the Navy Lodge on Staten Island, but I cannot check in until 1500. Would it be ok, if I left my bags in your office while we grab lunch?
I have heard New York is second only to Paris in its charm and romantic atmosphere. I cannot wait to see you and share an amazing weekend with a great friend, it's been way too long.
Mike
As Mac re-read this email several times she realized that the first paragraph was all business, but the second paragraph hinted at something more and she was not sure how to take it. She decided to play it cool.
Mike,
See you at 1230. You can leave your bags in my office, but I have a better idea. Staten Island is a hike from Manhattan, I live in Mid-Town you are welcome to stay at my apartment this weekend. It's my parent's place, plenty of guest rooms, and I'm sure far better accommodations than the Navy Lodge. You would get to really experience what living in New York City is like. Besides the place is huge, and I could use the company.
Let me know what you want to do, we can stop by my place when we go out for lunch and you can drop off your bags. After lunch I have to go back to work, but you can rest up a bit at the Brownstone. I know how much you love to run; I recommend taking a run through Central Park later in the afternoon, running through Central Park is one of my favorite things to do. There is no better place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
My show ends at 2100, but I can meet you for dinner at 2130. There is a great Italian place just a few blocks from my newsroom. I invited Jim, he's looking forward to seeing you again too. Your emails have totally made my day, have a safe flight and I will see you tomorrow.
MacKenzie
With that MacKenzie grabbed her purse, and confidently strolled through the bullpen on her way to the elevators. With a smile on her face, she entered the first cabin and as she road the elevator down to the first floor she contemplated what would happen over the next several days. Maybe Jim was right, maybe she just needed to give Mike a chance, and give herself another chance at love.