Running Back (New York Leopards 2)

I held my hands up, showing the dirt smeared to the edges by the cool sliding sanitizer. “Probably shouldn’t shake. You’re kind of far from home.”

“I’m the sports foreign correspondence for Sports Today.”

I blinked several times. Sports Today was one of the largest news sites. “Well, that is just fascinating.”

She smiled broadly. “Do you mind if I ask a couple of questions?”

I glanced at Mike, who had on his agreeable, easy-going face. I wanted to tell him to wipe it off and put on something that would indicate now was not the time. “Now’s not a good time.”

“Maybe over dinner?”

I sighed and rubbed my head, remembering only afterward that the combination of sunscreen and dirt meant I was now a muddy mess. Great. “I don’t know. It’s been a long day...”

“A day looking for the remains of Ivernis?”

My defensive bristles went up at the slightly amused lilt in her voice. But Mike had brought her here, which must mean he thought she was worth talking to. “Sure. Fine. Dinner.”

Mike smiled and led her away. I looked forlornly after them.

Lauren came up beside me, wearing a neat blouse and skirt. She clearly was only here to socialize. “Do we hate her?”

“What? No!”

Lauren shrugged. “I don’t know. Looks like someone we should hate.”

“Just because she’s pretty and successful is not a reason to hate someone. I mean, we’re pretty and successful.”

Lauren refocused on the girl. “I can hate her for you.”

“Lauren! I don’t want you to do that!”

Lauren raised her brow. “Do you think she would be down here if my brother wasn’t?”

I blinked, and looked back at the twittering girl, and Mike, laughing. I crossed my arms and tried not to frown. “Kilky is interesting in its own right.”

“Yeah, but that’s not what’s going to be selling papers back home.”

“Well. Hmph. We still can’t hate her for trying to do a good job.”

“Okay.” Lauren nodded sagely. “But if she goes after Paul when I’m not around, I want you to take her out.”

* * *

Mike raised his brows when I finished dressing for dinner. “You’re wearing a dress.”

I smoothed my hands over the black sheath. “It’s been known to happen.”

We headed downstairs, but he didn’t drop the subject. “Twice. Once for the month mind, once in Paris. And your hair’s up. You’re channeling Tamera.”

I let out an exasperated huff, even though that was exactly what I was doing. “You sound like Cam.”

He opened the door outside and we headed for the coastal path. “Well, there’s a reason one of us is your best friend and the other is your boyfriend. Play nice with Jane, okay? I had to pull some strings to get her here.”

I stopped walking until he took my hand and gently tugged me back into motion. “Mike! You didn’t have to do that!”

He shrugged. “She wasn’t that far. Just in London.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “I don’t even know what the point of this is. Why am I talking to her?”