LITMIR.BIZ

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wished she had a drink of water to wash away her surprise. Nick’s eyes implored her to confirm his statement.

      The need to back him up compelled her to admit, “We are old friends.”

      Kitty’s eyes narrowed. Shockingly obvious anger flared in the dark depths. “Nick and I are friends, too.”

      Sensing how uncomfortable the woman was making Nick, Julie sought to defuse the situation. Most people wanted their fifteen minutes of fame, and Julie counted on Kitty to be no different.

      Julie smiled sweetly. “Kitty, I work for Northwest Edition, a weekly lifestyle television magazine, and I’m doing a piece on Nick. And because you are his self-professed number-one fan, I’d love to interview you.”

      For a moment uncertainty crossed Kitty’s face, then slowly her demeanor shifted and excitement built in her eyes. “You want to interview me? On TV?”

      Ignoring Nick’s sudden coughing fit, Julie kept her voice smooth. “Yes. I’d love to have your take on Nick’s career and the upcoming games. Nick will be competing in the fiercest contest of his life. I want to explore all the facets of an elite athlete. Including the fans. Maybe you could give me some insight on what it’s like to be such a devoted fan?”

      Kitty practically glowed. “That would be super.”

      The possessive-woman bit fell away. Kitty appeared younger than Julie had originally thought when she’d forced her way into Nick’s room. Julie slipped a card out of her purse and handed it to Kitty. “Here’s my card. Call me and we’ll set it up.”

      “Thank you.” Kitty hugged the card to her chest. “Isn’t this fabulous, Nick?”

      “Fabulous,” he repeated dully.

      “I can’t wait to tell everybody.” Kitty hurried away.

      Julie wondered who everybody was.

      “Why did you do that?” Nick asked the second Kitty disappeared out the door. “Don’t encourage her.”

      “It will be fine,” Julie assured him. “It will give her an opportunity to talk about you. And she might have some useful insight. Maybe even have some ideas of who would benefit with you out of the way.”

      “I can name a hundred aerial freestylists who’d benefit, but not one that I could point a finger to and say they’re the type to go to those lengths.”

      She shrugged. “If nothing else, interviewing Kitty will give her something else to focus on.”

      His intent gaze met hers. “And you’ll say we’re in a relationship if she asks?”

      “If you’re doing the interview, then we have a working relationship,” Julie stated.

      She could see him debating with himself. Finally, he said, “Good enough. Maybe she’ll back off.” He visibly relaxed. “I owe you.”

      She smiled. “Then you’ll talk with me.”

      “Talk? You don’t want to talk, you want to dissect me like we did those frogs in biology class.” He held up a hand. “Oh, wait. I did the dissecting. You couldn’t watch.”

      Her nose wrinkled up. “I still can’t look at a frog without gagging.” She suppressed a shudder. “You were my hero that day.”

      An answering grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You did turn a nasty shade of green, like I’d never seen before or since.”

      “Not my finest moment.” But it had been worth it since she got to spend time with him. He’d sat in front of her in class. Most days all she saw was the back of his head. But that day...she’d been the envy of the other girls in class when Nick had turned around and asked her to be his partner.

      She held his gaze and something indefinable passed between them. A shared past, memories of simpler days. The longing to go back to those days grabbed ahold of her as she lost herself in the blue depths of his eyes. Was that same yearning there in his gaze?

      “Wouldn’t you rather tell your story to me than someone who doesn’t care about you?”

      His eyes widened. “You care?”

      She touched his arm. “Of course I care. You’re a big deal in this town.”

      “Right.” He tapped a finger against his lip as he contemplated her. Finally, he let out a short laugh. “I’m nuts to agree to this. But you’re the only reporter I would ever trust.”

      Gratified and hoping that his words were a forecast of a successful promotion, she sat in the chair. “You won’t regret it.”

      “We’ll see.”

      “Are you always so skeptical?” She hadn’t remembered that from when they were young. She’d considered him to be one of the most laid-back and driven people she knew. The dichotomy was what made him so interesting.

      “I’ve become more so,” he stated.

      “Mr. Walsh, this man says he’s with her,” Ted said from the doorway.

      Seeing Bob over Ted’s shoulder, Julie said, “That’s right, he is.” She stood. “I should let you get some rest.”

      He reached for her hand again. “You don’t have to run off yet.”

      His warm palm pressed against hers, making her feel connected to him. She swallowed back the jolt of yearning that grabbed her by the throat. She wanted to feel connected, to be a part of a couple. Had thought she’d found that sort of connection with John, but he’d proved less than trustworthy. She wasn’t ready to put her heart on the line again. Especially not with Nick.

      Flirting came naturally to a guy like him and meant nothing. She had to remain unaffected by his charm and charisma. She quickly extracted her hand. “It shouldn’t be too long before you’re released. Besides, Bob is my ride. I can’t ask him to wait around.”

      “We’ll drop you off when I’m released,” he said. “Or rather, Gordon will since he’s the one with the wheels.”

      As tempting as it was to stay, she shook her head. She needed to keep her perspective. Theirs was a business relationship. She had to remember that and act like the professional she wanted to be. “No. I need to go. I’ll be in contact with Mr. Lewis so we can set up a time for you to come to the station for the interview.”

      His mouth twisted in a rueful way that she found appealing. “You can call me directly. In fact, why don’t you come by the motor home tomorrow? You can see how I live when I’m on the road.”

      Excited by the unexpected invitation to visit his home on wheels, she couldn’t help but beam. “That would be great. I’ll make sure Bob’s free.”

      Nick’s gaze went to the doorway, where Bob waited, and back to her. “Sounds good.”

      Was that disappointment in his eyes? Couldn’t be.

      Suddenly reluctant to leave and half afraid he’d change his mind about the invitation tomorrow, she dug out one of her cards and wrote her cell number on the back.

      “Here.” She thrust the square piece of card stock at him. “Call me with a good time for us to come over.”

      He took the card, his fingers brushing over hers, setting off little sparks shooting up her arm. She released her hold and backed away. Time to beat a hasty retreat before her resolve to keep their relationship strictly business weakened.

      * * *

      With Julie’s departure the room seemed duller and the hospital more oppressive. Nick stared at her business card. It read, “Julie Tipton, production assistant for Northwest Edition” and had the call letters of the local affiliate television station. He turned the card over to where she’d written her number in a neat script.

      He still couldn’t believe it. Julie. Shy, sweet Jules had

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