He leans forward a little, folding his hands on the table between us. “You sure like answering questions with questions, huh?”
I’m about to say, Don’t you? when I realize that would be answering another question with a question.
“Hazard of the trade,” I say with a shrug.
“So you’re a reporter for the Seattle Sentinel.”
“Can’t wear the title of Ms. Seattle Sentinel otherwise.”
He grins and—fuck me!—those dimples. And also…fuck me. I mean it. Please.
“Are you from Seattle?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Delaware.”
“Roots there?”
“My parents. My sister.”
“Get back much?”
“Once or twice a year. I love them and I love visiting, but Seattle’s my home.”
He nods like he gets it. “Came west for a job?”
“No. For college,” I say. “I went to Evergreen State.”
“No kidding!”
“No kidding,” I say. “Communications major.”
“Right. Journalism.” His eyes narrow. “Hm. So, what’s your interest in the bears?”
Dare I tell him that my original interest in Sitka had nothing to do with bears? That it was a last-minute story idea I’d pitched after ogling his personal ad? That my true interest in Sitka was actually…him? Now, get in my bed, spread your legs and prepare to take my load. My cheeks flush as I recall my initial thoughts after reading his ad.
I’m saved from looking him in the eyes or responding to his question by the waitress, who reappears with our drinks.
“Here ya’ go, Luke. And here ya’ go…” She squints her eyes at me. “We haven’t met yet.” She shifts the tray to her side and offers me her hand. “I’m Francine. You’re…?”
Now, I know Sitka is small, but this is unreal. Does everyone know everyone? Is that even possible?
“Amanda McKendrick.”
“Well, hi there, Amanda McKendrick! A friend of Luke’s is a friend of mine. You visiting?”
I nod. “Uh-huh. From Seattle.”
“And how do y’all know each other, now?”
“We met through—”
Luke cuts me off. “We went to Evergreen together.”
I’m surprised I don’t get whiplash when I jerk my neck from Francine to face him.
“Is that right?” she says. “So we got a little college reunion going on here, huh? Well, I’ll be…”
“Hey, Fran, you got any of those pretzels?” asks Luke.