Her lips turned up slightly at the corners. “I want to. Your sister sounds like an amazing young woman. I hope to meet her someday.”
This version of her was going to take some getting used to. I was used to that confident, hard-ass reporter who liked to bust my balls in public. This soft, considerate side was messing with my head because I wasn’t sure which one I liked more.
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 thetable, 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?”
