But nowhere in my plans, did she remain quiet for months and spring it on me by surprise.
Just how many times had she noticed?
And why hadn't she said anything until now?
I shook my head. "Seattle? You serious?"
"Well, I'm not kidding." She crossed her arms. "And Iknowyou know what I'm talking about. I can tell by the look on your face."
That, too, was sloppy on my part. Normally, hiding my feelings wasn't a problem. But with Becka, it was just one more thing that was different.
With a low curse, I stood and moved toward her. "There's no one else, if that's what you're thinking."
"Good. But it's not. I mean, that's not what I'm worried about."
I stopped to study her face. From the look in her eyes, she meant it. And now I had to know, "So what's your theory?"
She made a scoffing sound. "Well that's rich."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning that instead of giving me a straight answer, you're tossing out a question of your own. Does that sound fair to you?"
I met her gaze. "No."
She said, "But…?"
Now I was seriously off my game. "But you're right. There's no one else."
"But that's not even the question," she said. "I already told you, I believe you."
I searched her face for clues. "But why?"
"Why do I believe you?" She shrugged. "Call me stupid, but I don't see you as a cheater." Her eyes filled with tears. "And maybe I believe youtoomuch when you say you love me."
Her tears cut me to the bone. "You should, because it's true."
"But you don't trust me."
I moved toward her. "That's not it."
And it wasn't.During the past few months, I'd come to realize that Becka wasn't a gossip. In some ways, she was nearly as private as I was.
After Imogen's social media tirade, Becka had been the subject of intense media scrutiny. At nearly every book signing afterward, she'd been confronted by at least one reporter, sometimes two or three.
On top of that, she always got plenty of questions from people waiting in line. I'd heard them with my own ears.
Are you and Jack really a couple?
What's he like in private?
Is it true you that met at Flynn Archer's place?
Through all of this, Becka never revealed anything – not to the media or to the crowds. Instead, she deflected their questions with jokes and good humor.
I saw no trace of that humor now.
In front of me, she said, "And, as long we're laying it out there, I saw that blonde again at the book signing."
