Page 101 of The Off Limits Captain
She blinks once, fast.
“Thank you.”
I am not done.
“You don’t owe me a softer story,” I say.
“I know.”
“I mean it.”
“I know that too.”
For the rest of the flight, we sit close enough that I can feel the heat of her through two layers of clothing and far enough apart that the distance becomes its own confession.
When the plane lands, the team files into the aisle.
Evan pauses beside our row. “Great talk, whatever this was.”
“Move,” I say.
“That’s the tender tone I come to work for.”
Peyton looks down, but not before I catch the corner of her smile.
Evan moves on.
Peyton waits until the others are ahead. “Nothing from tonight is in the article.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“If you were that kind of reporter, you would have already used better material.”
Her smile nearly breaks loose.
“Ryan.”
“Yeah.”
“When it runs, do not defend me publicly.”
My mouth sets. “You do not get to ask me to hide.”
“I am serious.”
“So am I.”
“They will use it against you.”
“They already use my quiet against me.”
Her eyes search my face. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet.”
It is the most honest answer I have.
