Page 62 of The Boyfriend Zone

Instead of answering, I reached up and pulled him down for a quick kiss. "Absolutely worth it."

Sean's smile was brilliant as he straightened. "I'll see you tonight for that movie?"

"Eight o'clock, my place," I confirmed. "I'll even let you pick the film if you bring snacks."

"Deal." He leaned down for one more brief kiss before turning to leave. "See you then."

I watched him walk away, exchanging a high-five with Nate who had just arrived, apparently to drag me to a late lunch. Nate's eyes darted between Sean's retreating form and my undoubtedly besotted expression.

"Please tell me you at least maintained some professional distance during the interview," he said, pushing through the door. "Or did you just stare lovingly into each other's eyes for an hour and call it journalism?"

"I'll have you know it was a very insightful interview," I retorted, gathering my recorder and notes. "The fact that my boyfriend happens to be thoughtful and articulate is just a bonus."

Nate nodded skeptically. "And the fact that said boyfriend looks like he should be modeling hockey gear instead of wearing it is completely irrelevant to your journalistic interest."

"Completely," I agreed solemnly, unable to hold back a grin. "Pure coincidence."

"You're disgusting," Nate declared, though his tone was fond. "Both of you. With your lingering glances and secret smiles and—did you make out in our newsroom? Tell me you did not desecrate this sacred space of journalism with hockey player hormones."

"Nate!"

"What? It's a legitimate question," he insisted as we headed out. "I need to know if I should disinfect the couch before the staff meeting."

I shoved him lightly, laughing despite myself. "We did notdesecrateanything. It was just a couple of very professional goodbye kisses."

"Professional kissing," Nate repeated, eyebrows raised. "Is that what they're teaching in Journalism Ethics these days? Because I must have missed that lecture."

As Nate continued his good-natured ribbing all the way to lunch, I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. For all his teasing, Nate understood better than most what finding Sean meant to me.

Chapter 20: Sean

"He wants to meet for dinner," I announced, staring at my phone like it might bite me. "Tomorrow night."

"Who does?" Zach asked, barely looking up from the video game he was playing.

"My dad." I sank onto the couch beside Lucas, who immediately reached for my hand. "He's in town for business and thought we could catch up."

"Ah," Zach grimaced, setting down his controller. "The Robert Mitchell experience. Better stock up on antacids and practice your 'yes, sir, thank you for the constructive criticism' face."

"It might not be that bad," Lucas suggested, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand. "Maybe he just wants to see how you're doing."

Zach chuckled. "Yeah, and maybe Coach will cancel practice tomorrow to give us time for self-care and journaling."

"You don't think there's a chance he's just being, I don't know, fatherly?" Lucas persisted.

It was a nice thought, but not one supported by my experience. My father's rare campus visits typically involved critiquing my form, questioning my training regimen, and reminding me of all the scouts I needed to impress. Phone calls were easier—I could hold the device away from my ear during the lecture portions—but face-to-face meant nowhere to hide.

"I'm just saying people can surprise you," Lucas continued, squeezing my hand. "He might be making an effort."

"Lucas, eternal optimist," Zach declared, shaking his head.

"It's called looking on the bright side," Lucas protested. "Some of us prefer not to assume the worst of people."

"And some of us have met Sean's father and know exactly what we're talking about," Zach countered.

"I'm with Lucas," Nate chimed in, appearing from the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn. "Maybe it'll be fine."

Zach raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You're siding with the optimism squad? I thought sarcastic pessimism was your default setting."

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