A Conflict of Interest

“Which makes it that much worse,” she said tartly.

“Keep digging, buddy,” said Jake, making shoveling motions with his hands. To Cara, he said. “Can I get you a drink?”

Max cursed himself for being slow on the uptake.

“Thank you,” Cara responded with a sweet smile for Jake. “Ginger ale, please.”

Jake glanced around the crowded pub, obviously checking for their waitress. After a moment, he rose to walk over to the bar himself.

“He’s a gentleman,” said Cara, her tone a rebuke to Max as she smoothed the napkin out in her lap.

“He’s flirting with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Really, Max. Thank you for clearing that up, since, like many women, I’m of low intelligence and wouldn’t have figured it out for myself.”

Max clamped his jaw, fighting the urge to defend himself. Instead, their gazes locked, and an instant rush of desire washed through him as the noise of the crowd ebbed and flowed.

Cara cracked first. “So, what are you doing in Fields?”

“Same thing as you.”

“I doubt that.”

“We’re both here after the story.”

She straightened in her chair. “No. You’re here after the story. I’m here looking for the truth.”

“Don’t get all self-righteous on me. It’s not an attractive quality.”

She leaned in and hissed, “You think I want to be attractive? To you?”

He lowered his voice, matching her posture. “There’s no way for you to help it, sweetheart.”

Jake’s arrival broke the moment. “Your ginger ale, ma’am.”

Cara turned to him and smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

“Pleasure to be of assistance.”

Max snagged his beer mug by the handle, struggling not to gag on the syrupy sweetness. “Give me a break.”

“Did you know it was Max’s birthday?” Jake asked Cara in a hearty, if slightly malicious, voice.

“I did not.” She gave Max an overly sweet smile. “Happy birthday.”