Page 43 of Austin

“It’s okay. You can drink. I don’t think everyone who drinks has a problem. You have many vices, but addiction doesn’t seem to be one.”

“How can you be so sure?” he asks, looking away.

“Your eyes. You can see a lot in an addict’s eyes.”

I also don’t want to tell him I see other things in his, too. Like right now. He’s looking at me like I just uncovered a greater truth. Something he has been searching for but can’t seem to find.

“So, what did you order me for lunch? I don’t usually let men order for me,” I state as I fluff my napkin on my lap.

“It’s chivalrous. Remember, I’m the good brother.” He grins.

“It’s barbaric,” I deadpan. “I’m only here because you threw away my lunch.”

He chuckles. “Peanut butter and jelly?”

“It’s a delicious meal!”

He holds up his hands in retreat. “Not gonna hear me complain. My mom made it for me every day when I was a kid.”

“Then, why wasn’t it good enough for me to eat?”

“Because a beautiful woman deserves a beautiful meal,” he says.

And I find I don’t have a retort.

Damn, I hate when he wins.

“Tell me about this big interview you got. The one Rosie mentioned in the break room,” I say, trying to change the subject.

“Do you remember hearing the name Sergeant Miller a few years ago?”

“I’m sorry. Sergeant who?”

“Did you ever hear the story of the guy who entered a building in Fallujah after it was bombed and rescued twelve soldiers with the last one barely escaping death as the building toppled on top of them?”

I narrow my eyes while slowly nodding. “Actually, I do remember that when I was interning for FOX40 in Sacramento. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, right?”

He reaches for his drink, holding it in his hand but not taking a sip. “Yes, he was. He saved their lives that day, and we’re getting his first official interview.”

“His first one? That was a few years ago.”

“Yes, it was. He was severely injured from going back for the twelfth guy.”

“Wow. But he saved him, right?”

He brings the glass to his lips but pauses, closing his eyes before taking a sip. “He was injured badly, too, but they both survived. Sergeant Miller burned over half of his body and broke his back along with getting some amputations. It’s been a long recovery, and he’s always asked for his privacy.”

“And he agreed to meet with you now?”

“He did.”

“Man, so this is a big deal.”

His eyes glaze over for a brief second before he abruptly changes the subject. “So, Miss Journalism Major, why did you decide to work at Sexton Media?” he asks.

“I needed a job, and you were hiring. The temp agency sent me, remember? It was a huge plus that it was in the media industry.”

“That’s it? It’s that easy?”