Easy on the Eyes Read Online Free PDF Page A

one who execs want to co-anchor with me.
    Just thinking about the proposed change in format makes my chest squeeze tight. I’m feeling so much anxiety and fear, it’s
     hard to breathe. Why didn’t Glenn tell me just how bad the ratings were before? Why didn’t Max insist on getting those numbers?
     I used to study the reports all the time. It was the first thing I did when I arrived in the morning. But I’ve gotten comfortable.
     I’ve lost that edge that made me hungry like Shelby.
    “Tia?” Glenn prompts. “I like the idea. What about you?”
    I try to remember what Mark was talking about before Glenn’s question, before I zoned out. What was it?
    The lesbian prison wedding scandal. Right.
    “Do we really need to do this story?” I ask, keeping my tone friendly because I don’t want to step on Mark’s toes, and Mark
     is very tight with Shelby. But really, lesbian prison wedding scandal? “I can’t help but think it’s too
National Enquirer
for us. We are news— ”
    “Human interest news,” Mark jumps in, protective of his story. “And this is colorful. Six guards have been disciplined, and
     two of those might lose their jobs. And then there are the brides— they’ve been separated, punished, because prisoners are
     forbidden to have sexual relations with each other.”
    It’s all I can do to not shudder. “I think it’s beneath us,” I try again. “It turns my stomach.”
    “It’s a good story,” Mark says defensively, “and with the right tease we’d get a huge audience.”
    “I love it,” Shelby interrupts. “Can I do it?”
    I don’t even try to hide my shock. “Are you serious, Shelby?”
    “Why not?” She shrugs. “It’s heartwarming.”
    “It’s not heartwarming. It’s bizarre, and we’d only be running it for shock value. If we want real human interest stories,
     I have plenty I’d like to do— ”
    “Like one of your feel-good stories that touch the heart?” Mark asks sarcastically, getting a laugh from everyone.
    “Which our viewers need a lot more than sensationalistic pieces like lesbian weddings and prison scandals.” I check my tone,
     soften my voice. “How will this benefit anyone? Will our viewers feel more empowered? Happier? More at peace?”
    “We’re not a yoga center,” Mark says, tapping his pen impatiently. “And if viewers want to be uplifted, enlightened, or empowered,
     they can head to
The Seven Hundred Club
.”
    “It’s all about ratings,” Shelby adds as though I’m an intern and she’s here to show me the ropes.
    I smile, although on the inside I’m anything but sunny. There is no way in hell I will share the anchor position with this
     woman. I turn to Glenn. “I don’t want to do this story on my show.”
    “I already said I’ll do it.” Shelby’s giving me the same smile I just gave her. The gloves are off. She’s not my protégée
     anymore. She’s my competition and she’s gunning for my job.
    “Thanks, Shelby, but as you know, the weekend show isn’t in trouble,” Mark replies. “We’re all here trying to figure out how
     to save Tiana’s ass.”
    The conference room falls silent. Everyone looks at Mark and then Shelby and then Glenn. But not one person looks at me.
    The silence stretches, endless. Jeff coughs. Shelby studies her nails. Harper shuffles paperwork. And I stare at Mark until
     he finally turns to meet my gaze.
    “What was that?” I ask quietly.
    He rolls his eyes. “Oh, come on, Tiana. Your numbers have been crap all year and you know it— ”
    “Glenn, may I have a word with you?” I say, interrupting Mark and looking at him hard. “Everyone, can you give us five minutes?”
    Glenn doesn’t speak, but everyone’s on their feet and heading for the door. I may have lackluster ratings, but I still have
     clout. I wait for everyone to file out.
    “Glenn, what’s going on?” I demand as the door closes. “What is Shelby doing here?”
    “The execs thought it’d be a good idea to have