Page 105 of Home of the Brave

“Yeah.” They just wanted the story, at whatever cost. “It’s hard enough being a woman in this industry, so I try not to cry wolf. Plus, I’m rarely solo. My cameraperson is a witness and has always backed me up when there’s a real issue.”

“I’m sorry. I hate that for you.” He wiped his mouth. “New question, then––”

“Don’t I get one?”

“No, you get to ask me questions every day. Now it’s my turn.” He narrowed his eyes, and I laughed and played along.

“Okay, go for it.”

“If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?”

“Nachos.” The answer was immediate. “Breakfast nachos, veggie nachos, beef or chicken or shrimp. There are so many ways to mix it up.”

He nodded. “I feel the same way about pizza. Next, would you rather have toes for fingers or fingers for toes?”

I cringed and burst out laughing. “Fingers for toes. I could pick things up!”

“Same,” he bit his lip. “Okay, would you rather always have wet socks, or a rock in your shoe?”

“Oh, no!” I gasped. “A rock?”

“Really?”

“I hate wet socks. I’d be miserable.”

“But you’re constantly stepping on a rock. I think you have to do wet socks.”

“No way.”

“Fine,” he tapped the table. “Oh, this one will be hard for you. Would you rather always whisper or always shout?”

“Josh!” I laughed. “That’s terrible! I’d get fired either way.”

He chuckled. “You have to choose!”

“Fine, shout, I guess? I’d be worthless if no one could hear me.”

“Yeah, whispering would be useless for me.” He narrowed his eyes like he had come up with a good one. “Never know where you’re going or when you’re going?”

I lowered my pizza. “I hate that one.”

“You’re a planner?”

I nodded. “Oh, both would absolutely kill me. I’d be panicking all the time.”

“Really?” he leaned back. “I figured you’d be used to going where you’re told and when.”

“Yeah, but I have some warning.”

“So, you’re not spontaneous.”

I shrugged. “Nope.”

He nodded like he was making a mental note, and I was lost in how much fun this was. How effortless.

I couldn't remember a time I’d had this much fun with someone, playing a silly game. We were getting to know each other, even arguing, and I wanted so much more.

So for the rest of the night, I let myself forget that it couldn't happen.