Between the Lines

Potential?

**Brianna**

I took a deep breath as I gathered the pages of my article, making sure everything was in order before heading to Brogan's office. The article had been tough to write, especially with Elena's wedding invitation hanging over my head, but I managed to push through and finish it. Now, it was time to see what my boss thought.

I knocked on the doorframe, and Brogan looked up from his computer. His dark hair was neatly trimmed, and his perfectly shaved beard gave him a sharp, authoritative look. Despite his firm demeanor, there was a warmth in his eyes that made him approachable—a mentor as much as a boss. He greeted me with a grin, his voice as welcoming as ever. "Ah, Brianna! Come in, come in. You got that article ready for me?"

"Hot off the press," I said with a small smile, handing over the neatly stapled pages.

Brogan took the article, quickly scanning the first few paragraphs. "Burnley, huh? Tough game, but you nailed it as usual. You've got a real knack for capturing the action on the field."

"Thanks, Brogan. I appreciate that," I replied, though my voice wavered slightly. I stood across from his cluttered desk, my heart pounding as I waited for his full assessment.

He continued to read in silence, his brow furrowing slightly as he absorbed the details. My nerves started to get the better of me. What if I'd missed something crucial? My mind raced with self-doubt, and I had to stop myself from biting my lip, a habit I'd never quite broken.

Finally, Brogan set the article down and leaned back in his chair, his thoughtful expression softening into something more reassuring. "You know, this is solid work, Brianna. But I can't help but feel there's something on your mind."

I stiffened, trying to keep my composure. "What do you mean?"

He waved a hand dismissively, his demeanor still kind despite the firmness in his voice. "It's nothing major. The article's great, don't get me wrong. But I can tell when something's bothering you. It's like you're holding back."

I swallowed hard, my insecurities bubbling to the surface. "I just... I guess I'm worried it's not enough. Not enough detail, not enough... I don't know." I sighed, frustrated with myself. "Maybe I'm not cut out for this."

Brogan raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "Not cut out for this? Brianna, you've been one of the most consistent writers we've got. You think I'd keep handing you these assignments if I didn't think you could handle them?"

"I know," I admitted, my voice small. "But sometimes I wonder if I'm really up to the challenge. I mean, there's so much pressure to get everything right, and I'm worried I might miss something important."

He studied me for a moment, his expression softening further. "You've got what it takes, Brianna. I wouldn't say that if I didn't believe it. But you're right—journalism is a tough gig. It's fast-paced, unpredictable, and it requires someone who can think on their feet. But you've already proven you can do that."

I bit my lip, my doubts still gnawing at me. "I don't know. I've never done anything bigger than these match reports. What if I'm not ready for more?"

Brogan's eyes brightened with interest. "Bigger, huh? Well, that's an interesting thing for you to say, because I've been thinking about offering you something bigger."

I looked at him, my curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

"You know Alex Cooperfield, right? The guy's been on fire lately, and there's a lot of buzz around him. But the thing is, he's got this playboy reputation. The clubbing, the girls—it's not doing him any favors with the press or the directors of the club. Your writing on Burnley's matches have been great, maybe you should go have a closer look, on Alex and the team."

"Alex? Field reporting?" My eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to cover that? In England?"

Brogan smiled, leaning back in his chair. "It's a big deal, and I think you're ready for it. You've been doing great work from the desk, but I'd like to see what you can do out there, in the thick of it."

I hesitated, the weight of the assignment settling in. "Field reporting is a whole different beast. What if I mess it up?"

Brogan didn't miss a beat. "You've got what it takes, Brianna. You wouldn't be sitting here if I didn't think you could handle it. It's fast-paced, sure, but you've already proven you can think on your feet. I've seen how you handle pressure."

"But I've never done anything like this before," I admitted, my doubts still gnawing at me.

"That's exactly why you should do it," Brogan replied, his tone encouraging. "You can't grow if you stay in the same place, doing the same thing over and over. And don't worry—you'll have support. You're not going into this alone. And I'll check on you once in a while."

I looked down at my hands, considering his words. It was a chance to prove myself, to take my career to the next level. But it was also terrifying.

"When would this start?" I asked, my voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension.

"End of May." Brogan replied. "Perfect timing for you, considering you'll already be in Europe for the Wedding."

My head snapped up. "How do you know about that?"

Brogan chuckled. "I overheard you mentioning it to Olivia. Venice, right?"

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "Yeah, but... I don't know if I can do both. It's a lot to handle."

He shrugged. "It is. But think about it—you're already there. You can cover the games and then head straight to the wedding. We'll figure out the logistics."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. This was it—the opportunity I'd been waiting for, but also a challenge that could push me to my limits.

"Okay," I said finally, determination settling in. "I'm in."

"Atta girl!" Brogan said, his grin widening. "This is going to be great, Brianna. I'll start making arrangements and get you the details soon. You won't regret this."

As I left his office, my mind was already racing with the possibilities. Covering Alex and Burnley in Europe would be a career-defining moment, but it also meant facing everything I'd been avoiding with Elena's wedding. I just hoped I was strong enough to handle it all.