Chapter 9 #2
I coughed into my hand. “I can make that happen if you’re interested. You could shadow the fundraiser this weekend. Meet all the people it actually helps, including Callie.”
This was so out of character for me. I didn’t invite reporters into my personal space. But Becca was proving to be someone I didn’t mind being around.
She stared at me for a minute, like she was making sure she heard me correctly. “You would be okay with that?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. My only request is that you keep things positive and the attention on Hear and Now. You can see firsthand what we do for the kids. It would be good material to add to the article.”
My family and teammates would be there. Half the damn organization was going. And I just invited the pretty reporter who liked to call me out on live TV.
People were going to think I’d lost my mind. And maybe I had.
She leaned back in her chair. “I would love that, and I actually have a dress that’s waiting for a reason to leave my closet.”
I told myself not to read too much into it. This was about the article. Nothing more.
I nodded slowly. “I know it’s short notice. I didn’t even think about you needing a dress.”
She leaned forward. It was hard to miss how her eyes brightened with excitement. “I’ve been looking for an excuse to dust it off.”
We discussed logistics. The timing and attendees she should try to meet. I nodded along while answering her questions. All the while, trying to rein in my brain from thinking about other things. Things that I was really starting to notice, and I wasn’t just talking about physically.
I was impressed that she wasn’t trying to make the charity all about me, even though she could have. I got the impression she was genuinely interested in learning more and bringing awareness to the cause. And I appreciated that more than she knew.
She leaned back in her chair when the server came to clear the table. “You are not what I expected.”
I shrugged it off casually. “I could say the same about you.”
She had no idea how taken I was with her, and I needed to make sure it stayed that way.
“Oh, yeah?” She lifted a brow.
“During press conferences, you come across as a hard-ass. In one-on-one interviews, you are much softer and more tolerable.”
“Well, you did invite me to dinner.”
My chuckle was deep. “Don’t forget, I also invited you to the fundraiser.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to bring an actual date?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I eyed her skeptically. “Why?”
She pushed her silverware to the side. “Just to be clear.” Her smile was careful. “This would be strictly professional, right?”
Shit! I ran a hand through my hair. Was I that obvious? Now I was second-guessing inviting her. I rested my forearms on the table, knowing I had to throw her off. Becca was as smart as a whip. I needed to remember that.
“I’m not trying to hook up with you, if that’s what you’re implying.”
That wasn’t necessarily true. Becca was attractive, but I’d never crossed that line with female reporters before. I didn’t see myself changing my mind anytime soon. Even though a small part of me wanted to make an exception.
She shook her head. “No, not at all. I really want to go, and I’m honored that you asked.” She gestured between us. “I just don’t want people to get the wrong idea.”
I could tell she was nervous about going. I just didn’t understand why. “Is there a reason why you seem so skittish about going all of a sudden?”
She looked over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “Aren’t you afraid people will talk if I go with you?”
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. I could tell she was uncomfortable. I wasn’t planning on pushing this, but her reaction had me more curious than anything.
“Are you seeing someone?”
The words came out so quickly that there was no way I could take them back.
Her eyes snapped to mine. “Why would you ask me that?”
That wasn’t exactly a no. “Just curious.” I shrugged, acting like it was no big deal.
Becca was avoiding the question. I have spent my entire career reading defenses, body language, and facial expressions. I could smell hesitation from a mile away.
It was weird seeing her so thrown off. She usually had an answer for everything. The way she suddenly looked so unsure of herself made me want to know why.
She adjusted her blazer, which didn’t need adjusting. “Actually, I am seeing someone.”
I inhaled a bitter taste of jealousy and disappointment.
To be honest, I was a little surprised. Not that she wasn’t capable of having a boyfriend. But the idea of her being taken didn’t match up with the vision I had of her in my head.
She watched me closely, as if she were waiting for some type of reaction or maybe hoping for one. It was hard to tell.
I tightened my hands around my glass. “Are you afraid that he will have an issue with you going? Because you’re a sports reporter. You’re around men all day long.”
She exhaled a shaky breath. “He knows that?”
“So, is he just insecure then?”
“No.”
I didn’t buy that. “Jealous?”
She shifted in her seat and checked her phone, even though it wasn’t buzzing. “This feels like an interrogation.”
I tilted my head. “Does the reporter not like having to answer questions?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m perfectly fine with answering questions. It’s just that our relationship is new, so I’m not sure what he will think.”
“You wouldn’t be doing anything wrong. It’s just business, but if you’re not comfortable, no worries. I don’t want to put you in an awkward spot.”
Actually, the more I thought about it, it would be best if she didn’t go.
“I want to. I think it would be good for the article.”
I eyed her skeptically. “You’re sure?”
I sure as hell wasn’t, but now that I knew she had a boyfriend, it would be easier to keep things professional. Where they belonged.
I’ve been cheated on, and I would never do that to anyone else.
“Positive.”
The server dropped off our check. Neither one of us moved to reach for it.
Our feet kept accidentally brushing under the table.
We stayed long after our food was gone. She asked a few more questions, trying to keep things professional, and once we were finished, I found myself reluctant to leave, but I knew I couldn’t sit here forever.
“I’ll text you the details for tomorrow night.”
She stood from the table and started gathering her things. “Let me know if there is anything specific you want me to focus on and what’s off-limits.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet.
I held my hand out. “Your money is no good with me. It was my treat.”
She smiled, pulling her hair out of the lapel of her blazer. “Can I at least leave the tip?”
“I appreciate the offer, but it’s all good.” I stuffed my hands into my front pockets, trying to act casual.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, acting as if this was simply a gesture to show the media that I was a good guy.
That’s all this was, so why did it feel so personal?
She slipped into her car, and I watched her drive away. I slid into my Audi and leaned my head back. For a guy who didn’t trust reporters, I was already looking forward to seeing her again. And I was also thinking too hard about why she seemed so scared to spend time with me.
If she wasn’t afraid of what her boyfriend would think, then what was she afraid of?