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.”
