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“Cool,” I say, but I’m nervous for some reason. Meeting someone new, maybe? Or meeting a reporter. That could be it.
The door swings aside and a woman with long dark brown hair walks in. She’s wearing a slim skirt and silk blouse, her heels high and expensive, her lips full and lush. She spots us and then turns to say something to the guy with her. The guy, I know. Barrett Fox, former bad boy/currently tamed ex-NFL player. His hair is coppery and his smile hints that he’s up to no good. Which means the beautiful woman at his side is Catarina.
“Hey, Burke.” She addresses Jax and he stands to press a kiss to her cheek.
“Kitty Cat. Meet the Nina Lockhart, known better in this town as Allison Murphy.”
“Hi.” I offer a hand and Catarina sizes me up.
“Nina or Allison? Which do you prefer? I prefer Catarina but these two bozos call me Kitty Cat and there’s nothing I can do about it.” Her smile is stiff and all-business.
I’m not sure what I admire more, her shrewdness or the fact that she’s not starstruck.
“To be honest I answer to either,” I tell her.
“So does she.” Barrett tips his head at Catarina and then leans over the table to take my hand. Which he kisses. “You look great, Al.”
“Thanks.” I smile, genuinely flattered. But then that’s what it’s like with Barrett. He says anything and gets away with it. Almost all the time. Speaking of…“I hear you made it back to broadcasting from the field even though you stuck your foot in your mouth a while back. That gives me hope for my current situation.”
“Right. The Oscar-napping.” Barrett pulls out a chair for Catarina, who eyes me through narrowed lashes, and I squirm in my seat. Possibly she isn’t starstruck because she thinks I’m a thief. “Kitty Cat. Coffee? No Pike Place here, but I can improvise.”
“How about a juice instead. Something fruity.”
“You got it.” Barrett swaggers to the counter and Catarina continues frying me with a look that might be a glare before primly lowering into her seat.
“I’m starved. You want anything to eat?” Jax, the bottomless pit, asks.
“No, thanks.”
A man takes the stage and applause draws our attention to the front. With Catarina’s attention snagged, Jax leans in to kiss me and whispers, “She won’t screw you over. If you ever wanted a reporter on your side, here’s your chance.”
Catarina faces us as Jax stands. “Kitty Cat? Food?”
“I’m good, Burke, thanks.” She blinks catlike eyes at me.
“So. You work for The Columbus Dispatch?” A bit of a clumsy start to small talk, but I’m doing my best.
“I run The Chat, better known as the online sector of The Columbus Dispatch,” Catarina explains. “I mostly focus on relationship advice. Need some?”
My laugh is slightly uncomfortable.
“Or do you have some?” She cranes an eyebrow. “You two go great together. I didn’t know what to make of him when we first met.”
“Which was where?” My eyes go to Jax, who swaggers over to stand next to Barrett. They’re facing each other, arms crossed over their chests while waiting on their orders. I’d die to know what they’re discussing.
“At a beer tasting at the art museum last year. He hopped up onstage with Barrett and they sang—”
“More Than Words.”Figures. Oldest trick in their college playbook. “I remember that bit well.”
Her smile is genuine, her guard dropping at once. “That ‘bit’ sealed the deal with Fox and me. It was hot. His voice is amazing.”
Her eyes go hazy while she enjoys the memory.
“The moment Jax has a few too many he shows off. Either playing guitar or football.”
“They played street ball at his summer party.”
“Oh, right. I hear you fell victim to the Burke-bombers.”
