Page 24 of Kiss Me Forever

Alex's gaze was serious and reflective. "Definitely one of them."

"Were you really as good a boxer as Mick said?"

He smiled. "I held my own. But what boxing really gave me was confidence, a feeling of power, of being able to take care of myself. Mick teaches these kids a lot more than how to fight. And the boxing ring is a good place to burn off anger and other emotions that can lead kids into trouble."

She thought about that. "Did you have a lot of anger after your parents died?"

"The normal amount."

"You like to be vague. Is that because you don't want to talk to me, or because you just can't talk about those feelings?"

He looked away from the ring to meet her gaze. "Maybe a little of both."

She liked his answer. It felt honest and real for the first time. "I understand."

"You do?"

"I was thirteen when my father died. I still had my mom and my sister, so my situation wasn't at all like yours, but I do know the pain of losing a parent. It's hard to talk about. And I wasn't much older than you."

"It is hard to talk about. I didn't realize, Andrea. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thanks."

Their gazes clung for a long moment, and a different kind of shiver ran down her spine, one that wasn't just sexual chemistry but an emotional connection.

She cleared her throat, realizing they were getting off track once again. She wasn't supposed to be the one talking; he was. "So tell me more about your time here."

"Not much more to tell. I went to school, worked in the gym, did some boxing, slept on Mick's couch until graduation, and then I moved on."

"To the video arcade and then the tech company?"

"To name two. I had many jobs over a five-year period. I did whatever I could do to make enough money to pay rent to someone, usually friends who offered me their couches for a hundred bucks a month."

"You've certainly come a long way." She was beginning to realize that Alex's rags to riches story was very genuine and would probably inspire a lot of readers once they heard his story. She wondered why he hadn't spoken more about his past in previous interviews. "How come you didn't bring the other reporters here?"

"I prefer to focus on the present and the future."

"But the man you are today has been shaped by your past, and that's interesting."

"We all have pasts. We all have challenges. I don't like it when people use hard times as an excuse or even as a reason why they succeeded. The past becomes a crutch or a stepping stone, but all that really matters is living in the moment, making the right decision, living your life."

She nodded, wishing she'd had her phone recorder on so she could have captured his words. Then again, he probably wouldn't have spoken so freely if she'd been recording or even taking notes.

"We should get going," Alex said. "I have to make a few calls and take care of some work items this afternoon. Then we have the party tonight."

"I'd like to talk to Mick about you, get his perspective on theMan of the Year. Would that be possible?"

"Not today. Saturdays are busy. Maybe another time."

"All right." She didn't need Alex to talk to Mick. In fact, she'd probably get more information out of Mick if Alex weren't around.

"That was a little too easy," Alex said as they walked out of the gym.

"What?"

"Your willingness to leave without asking any more questions."

She gave him a smile. "I can always come back."

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