Another reporter is called on. I believe her name is Kelly. She works for one of the major networks and has covered quite a few of our games over the years.
“Hi, Monty.” She smiles at me. “I’ll make this one less predictable for you. You’ve been in Chicago for quite some time now, and I’ll be in town soon to cover a few Warriors’ games. Do you have a favorite restaurant I should try?”
“Oh yeah, loads of them. I’m not much of a cook, so I’m a regular in the Chicago restaurant scene. I’ll uh... get someone from our front office to email you a few recommendations.”
“And these recommendations, would they be okay for someone to go alone, or is it best if I book for two? Because I’ll be alone when I go.”
“Jesus,” Reese mutters under her breath.
“Um, well, most have nice bars you can sit at. I typically go eat by myself.”
Kelly nods, still smiling my way. “Well, maybe you won’t have to when I’m in town.”
“Okay.” Reese stands from her seat. “That’s all for tonight. I hope everyone has a safe trip home. Thank you for your time.”
I’m out of my seat too, chasing after her, but she’s quick in those heels.
“Reese,” I call out, jogging to catch up to her, but then slow to a speed walk to stay at her side. “Are you all right? Those questions were inappropriate.”
“Yeah. They were. Especially the last one.”
I grab her arm to stop her because I didn’t expect to be getting my cardio in by sprinting through the visiting clubhouse.
She reluctantly turns my way and takes even more time to look up and meet my eye.
“Kelly?” I ask. “Thatwas the question you felt was inappropriate?”
“Emmett, she was hitting on you.”
Was she?I’ve been out of the game so long I didn’t even notice.
My face must say exactly that.
“Seriously?” Reese asks, unimpressed. “You didn’t pick up on that?”
“You seem awfully bothered about it.”
She breathes a disbelieving laugh. “I could not care less. I would just prefer it if you didn’t use our place of work as your own personal dating pool.”
My smile only grows as I look down at her. The polished princess is flustered right now.
“Stop smiling at me like that,” she huffs, walking away while I stay cemented in place, watching her go. “I’ll see you on the airplane in the morning.”
There’s too much satisfaction in my tone, my cheeks a bit sore from grinning like a fucking idiot. “Have a good night, Reese.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” she calls back.
I burst a laugh. Maybe this sparring thing isn’t so bad.
4
Reese
The elevator opens right into the living room of my condo on the penthouse floor.
The floor-to-ceiling windows that encompass my kitchen, living, and dining rooms are my only source of light, thanks to the glow of the surrounding buildings and the bustling city on a Saturday night.
I flip on the lamp on my entryway table and toss my keys into the small bowl next to it. I don’t waste time before kicking off my heels, dropping my bag, and beelining for the kitchen.
