We are delighted to share an excerpt from Xio Axelrod’s new romance Love on the Byline, which is out now!
SYNOPSIS
Blake Dillon isn’t exactly living the dream. She longs to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and make a difference in the world as a journalist. Unfortunately, her current job has her paying-off hotel staff for celebrity gossip. Tasked with shadowing a film star for an in-depth profile, Blake sees it as a chance to finally prove her worth. She never expected the interview to reconnect her with her old college crush.
Oliver Benjamin agrees to move to Los Angeles to work as the executive assistant to his best friend, a rising star. He hopes it will give him some direction. However, he soon discovers the only difference between being a frat boy and a Hollywood heartthrob is the amount of free stuff and the level of media attention. Ollie spends most of his time putting out fires, leaving little time for anything else. When Blake is sent to chronicle their lives, he finds himself face-to-face with the one that got away.
Blake and Ollie are smart enough to recognize the signs—there are enough sparks between them to melt glass—but they agree to put a lid on it until the article is finished. Much easier said than done when they’re forced to spend more time together than apart. There’s more going on than a simple interview, but they’re both professionals. They must resist temptation or risk unraveling both their lives.
EXCERPT
“It’s impossible.” Blake Dillon sat back in her chair, dark eyes flashing with irritation as she stared down Professor Crosby. “And, to me, it seems to be rooted in privilege.”
Ollie’s heart beat hard with unnamed emotion, as it always did when he was near her, especially when she was fired up about something she believed in.
At the front of the room, Professor Crosby leaned against his desk, his arms folded, and regarded Blake with his steely gaze. “Ms. Dillon, a true journalist will remain impartial because it is impossible to convey a story fairly and accurately when operating under bias.”
“I see,” Blake said, sounding not at all convinced. “You’re saying reporters need to dehumanize themselves.”
Crosby’s laugh conveyed his disbelief and his dismissal. He ran a hand through his graying hair. “Of course, not.”
“Desensitize, then.”
This brought their professor up short, and Ollie found he was deeply invested in the answer. Journalism wasn’t his major, but he was glad to have chosen the elective. And not only because it had brought Blake into his life.
“I’m not trying to be challenging for the sake of nuisance,” she said. “I only want to understand your position. You assert that journalists cannot and should not become emotionally involved in the story. Yes?”
“Absolutely correct.”
Blake let out a sound that wasn’t quite a laugh. “I’m sorry Professor but, unless the reporter is a chatbot, their emotions are going to be involved. If I’m doing a story on, let’s say, systemic injustice or reproductive health, it’s impossible for me to remain detached from those subjects.”
“Then you recuse yourself from those stories.”
“I’m sorry?” She squared her shoulders, the movement drawing Ollie’s attention to the curve of her neck and the way her hair curled against the shell of her ear.
Then Crosby’s words filtered through his distracted brain.
Ollie raised his hand.
“Mr. Benjamin, you have thoughts on this?”
“I wanted to clarify,” Ollie said. “You believe a journalist shouldn’t cover a story that will emotionally compromise them?”
“That’s an excellent way of putting it.” Crosby smiled as if he’d found an ally.
Ollie could feel Blake’s eyes on him. He turned to look at her, hating the frown that creased her brow, and turned back to the professor.
“Forgive me, but I’m not sure that’s wise or even possible.
Everything affects everyone, even if it’s indirectly,” Ollie said. “Whether it’s the weather, a stray cat in a tree, or war in a foreign country, it’s all connected to all of us. I agree with Blake. It’s impossible to be completely unbiased, especially if the bias is subconscious.”
“Exactly,” Blake agreed. Her soft, full lips, which had been pressed into a hard line, pursed. “I would argue that it is a journalist’s duty to become emotionally involved in certain stories. How else would you get to the heart of a thing? The connection is needed.”
