I’d found Carter’s modesty enchanting, and his studious side refreshing. And I particularly liked his ambition. Since we’d had a bare-bones staff, he’d had to write all of the articles for his page, which meant covering games he starred in without being biased. He’d conquered the sports page as successfully as he had the gridiron.
I had a feeling his background in journalism made him more open to press conferences and interviews, and amiable with reporters and fans.
“So,” he said, breaking into my wayward thoughts, “you work for a magazine now. That’s great.”
“I enjoy it. I went to ASU on a scholarship and then did a stint with the Arizona Republic for a couple years before landing the job with Scottsdale Live.”
He eyed me a moment, then asked, “Why didn’t you let my agent know you were taking over the article? Or contact me about it?”
That was a tough question to tackle without divulging too much or being dishonest. “It all happened suddenly. I saw the newspaper article on you and that was when I learned you were coming home. I sort of wanted to…surprise you.”
With another low chuckle, he said, “Mission accomplished. Not only am I blown away you’re the one interviewing me, but my mind is still reeling over how sensational you look.”
Heat tinged my cheeks again. The man easily made me hot and tingly all over.
“Thank you,” I said, relishing the compliment more than ever before, because it came from him.
I’d always hated that I’d been a late bloomer. Tonight, however, I didn’t mind so much. I was happy to shock him, because it seemed to cause him to look at me with fresh eyes. He appeared to have no preconceived notions, as I’d feared would be the case if he knew in advance I’d be here this evening.
“High school seems so long ago,” he mused. “And what a crazy few years.”
“Fun for the most part,” I conceded, but didn’t say more. I preferred to move on from that topic, but Carter didn’t.
Cocking his head to one side, he said, “I thought you enjoyed high school. Everyone knew who you were and liked you. I did too.”
I shook my head. “You didn’t think I could take care of myself. No one did.”
A painful confession to make, but it slipped from my lips anyway. I reached for my water, suddenly wishing I’d ordered a glass of wine instead. Something to help calm my nerves.
With a faraway expression in his rich brown eyes—because he seemed to be reminiscing in his mind about the “good-old days”, he said, “I remember the quarterback from another school took a liking to you at a party once.” He laughed, though it had a hollow sound to it. “I was not happy about that.”
I’d forgotten the incident. I said, “You pulled me aside and told me not to date him. You didn’t really say why, just that you had a bad feeling about it. I never did go out with him, based on your comment.”
“I’m sure it would have been fine. He was actually a good guy. I just…didn’t want you dating him.” This seemed to perplex or concern or disturb Carter. I couldn’t tell which emotion clouded his eyes, but he dragged a hand down his face as though he really had disliked the idea of me seeing someone else.
I gazed intently at him for a moment, then boldly ventured, “You didn’t want me to date at all, did you?”
“No,” he said without hesitation. “Though that is an extremely selfish and stupid thing for me to say—or to have felt back then.”
“Because you had no intention of dating me.” I tore my eyes from his and scanned the area for the waiter. “I need a glass of wine,” I mumbled as my stomach took a severe dive south.
Our server was nowhere in sight, but I did see plenty of people taking note of us, some seemingly working up the nerve to ask for an autograph, or to just talk to Carter in general.
He said, “The Rattlers’ management sent over a huge amenity basket, including wine. Why don’t we go talk in my suite? This corner of the patio isn’t so bad, but I still feel like we’re in a fishbowl. I’d rather talk in private.”
I nodded, an odd, visceral pull making me stand without even thinking twice about it. I collected my things as Carter dropped a generous tip on the table for our water service.
We left the restaurant, no doubt creating a buzz in our wake, although Carter kept a respectable distance. Luckily, the foliage on the property provided enough shadows for us to blend into as we made our way around the swimming pool and traveled a secluded path that led to the back half of the resort. We didn’t pass any guests on the walkway, for which I was grateful. Given the way I’d dressed, I suspected I looked as though I was a woman Carter had picked up at the bar.