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Lacey turned her penetrating gaze on Jenna. “You first, Jenna Cooper. Why did you agree to this interview? I checked, and you’ve never been interviewed before.”
“Actually I was on TV one time after Billy got signed. I said five words. ‘I’m very proud of Billy.’ I should have skipped the contraction, then it would have been six words.” Her smile was a ray of sun shining across the table. Even Lacey reacted with a blink. Not too many people could withstand a full-scale Jenna charm blitz.
“Fair point. But you’ve never sat down for a full interview. Why now?”
Jenna ran her tongue across her lips. Billy wished the first question had come to him—it was only fair. But to butt in with his own answer would make it seem like he was a conversation-hog, or a mansplainer. Better to hold his tongue.
“Well, our situation…it’s not that uncommon. There are so many couples who are no longer together, but are still dedicated to being the best parents they can be. I think a lot of people can relate to what we’re doing, and all the challenges we face, and they might be interested in seeing how we get through the rough times.”
Wow. Good answer. He wanted to hug Jenna. Never underestimate Jenna Scarlett Cooper, he wanted to crow. In your face, nosy reporter!
“It’s interesting that you focus right away on the challenges and the rough times. Would you say those outweigh the good times?”
Oh shit. Jenna had set a trap for herself, and Lacey had sprung it. Was it time to step in? He opened his mouth, but Jenna spoke first.
“No, of course not. But if you wrote an article that only talked about how smooth life is after a divorce, it would probably be pretty dull and scientifically questionable. Although I’m sure you’d make it as fascinating as possible.” Another irresistible smile. Not the “toothpaste” smile, but the “we’re in this together” smile.
Lacey laughed. “True enough. Readers do love drama.”
Wham. Another point to Jenna. Maybe he was going to enjoy this process. Come to think of it, he hadn’t spent this much time with just Jenna—without the boys—in quite a while.
“So since we all know the agenda here—drama—how about we start at the beginning? Why did the two of you end things? Your youngest child was only three at the time, is that right?”
Good moment for Billy to step in. “According to my agent, that sort of question is outside the lines. He said we wouldn’t have to talk about the divorce.”
“I’m asking about what led to the divorce.”
“That’s….” He squinted at her. “The same damn thing. We’re not talking about that. It’s private, and not the point. The point is how we handle our co-parenting relationship now.”
Her gaze flitted between the two of them. Billy could feel Jenna’s tension, and for a fleeting moment, wished he could hear how she would have answered that question. Would they have the same answer? His would be “I fucked up because I didn’t have any clue how to be a husband and a father away from home for long stretches of time.” Hers would probably stop after the “Billy fucked up” part.
Finally Jenna broke the silence. “I think it’s fair to say that our marriage couldn’t survive the pressures of a major league baseball career.”
“That sounds like something out of a press release.”
“Yes.” Jenna nodded. “We consciously uncoupled. But I would say we left it all on the field.”
“One point. General, not baseball specific,” Billy murmured to her, out of earshot of Lacey. Those were the rules.
Lacey narrowed her eyes at them. “Fine. We’ll leave it at that for now.”
Billy’s jaw ticked. He felt Jenna’s hand on his leg, squeezing lightly to remind him to play it cool. Talking to this reporter was like hopscotching around hot coals.
But her hand felt good on his thigh, light and warm. He wished there was a way to make her keep it there, but if he covered her hand with his, she would immediately reclaim hers.
The waitress reappeared, and Jenna snatched her hand back. Damn it. They launched into another deep convo about their lunch orders, while Billy worked on regaining his cool. He stole a glance at Lacey and saw that she was jotting down some notes on her phone.
She was definitely trying to get a rise out of them. Better be careful.
Someone else brought them glasses of water, and three glasses of white wine.
“Those are from me,” Lacey said, looking up as she claimed one of the glasses. “You don’t have to drink them. I’ll be happy to pick up the slack.”
Billy pushed his toward the reporter. “All yours.”
“So it’s true. You don’t drink anymore. Do you feel that’s a factor in your post-divorce relationship?”
Why did she ask such uncomfortable questions? What sort of easy answer was he supposed to cough up?
