Page 24 of Dirty News
I knew Artimus would be watching our interviews that day. I had to wonder if they’d be enough for him to make his decision, or if he’d still need more from us. If I won, would Lila still be this nice tome?
The teacher began the class and what he said really got to me: Compassion was about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Really getting into their heads, understanding why they did the things they did and felt the way theydid.
We had a thirty-minute lunch break where Lila and I caught up with Ashton and his crew. All of us sat at a picnic table near the lecture hall, munching on the things we’d brought to eat. Our conversation focused on what we’d learned in theclass.
Ashton looked at Nina and asked, “As a woman, Nina, how do you feel about the fact that in many businesses men make more than women do for doing the samejob?”
She laughed. “Pissed. And how would you feel if things were the other way around? If you and I had the same job and I got paid more thanyou?”
“Pissed.” He smiled at her. “Good thing we’ve landed jobs with a company that doesn’t do that,huh?”
Lila looked at me. “Being a former football player, Duke, how do you feel about women not being allowed to play profootball?”
“To be honest, I don’t think that field is something any female should even want to be in. It’s brutal out there. That said, I do believe that if a woman works just as hard as a man does to get to that place, then she deserves to be there.” Happy with my response, I threw a question to her. “And how would you feel about using a gender-neutralrestroom?”
She frowned. “Okay, I’ve got to be honest too. I don’t likeit.”
Nina chimed in. “No matter how unfair or fair things are, we’re all going to have opinions that conflict with others. But understanding other people is the key, Ithink.”
The thirty minutes was up far too soon, and we all headed back to the lecture hall. Waiting on the teacher, I found myself admitting something to Lila. “I just want you to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I don’t like what we’re having to do here, Lila. At times, I’ve thought about pulling myself out of the running for thejob.”
Her eyes went wide. “Don’t you dare do that, Duke! I’m not crazy about the way we’re having to go about this either, but I don’t want this handed to me. You keep on doing your best and I will too. I don’t want to get that position just because you pulled out of therace.”
I had to admire her spirit. “Okay. I’ll keep on trying. But I did want you to know I have thought about doing that. You’re young, and you don’t have the nest egg Ido.”
“It’s nice of you to think about that, but I’ll build my nest egg, so don’t you worry about me. If I have to make do with just the weather job, then I’ll write articles too or something, maybe do some other reporting for the station if Artimus will let me.” She seemed confident in her abilities and that only made the admiration I had for hergrow.
Sitting next to her proved to be harder than I thought it would be. She’d gone and used some strawberry scented shampoo that kept wafting past my nose. And she was wearing a sheer pink blouse that showed off a lacey camisole underneath it. A white skirt hugged her round hips and showcased her perky ass. The clothes she wore weren’t meant to be sexy. They were standard office attire, but the woman made everything looksexy.
Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun that rested on the nape of her long, slender neck. A bun! How was I getting turned on by something tomundane?
But somehow, on her, it lookedsexy.
When the class was over, we both got texts requesting that we head to Artimus’s office. “We can share a cab,” Isuggested.
She nodded as I hailed one and we got into the backseat. “What do you think this isabout?”
“I know they watched our interviews today. I suppose it’s about that.” I could see she was nervous. “I don’t think this is the day we find out who has the job though. No need toworry.”
She shook her head. “Yeah, I know. And worry hasn’t ever solved anything anyway.” Lila’s blue eyes landed on mine. “I feel like my emotions are being tossed around all over the place. One minute I feel calm and prepared, sorting out a backup plan, and the next I’m worrying over what I’ll do if I don’t getit.”
“You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t get worried about things like this.” I patted her leg to reassure her. “Things will work out. And I do hope we can remain friends in the end, no matter whathappens.”
“Me too.” She blinked a few times as she looked out the window. “It’s been nice getting to know you. I’ve never really known a jock before. In college, all the guys who were into sports didn’t interest me in the least. You’re not nearly as bad as I thought you’dbe.”
I had to laugh. “Um,thanks?”
She ducked her head, her cheeks turning red. “That didn’t come out right, didit?”
“Not really.” I leaned over to pull her face back up, taking her by the chin. “But you don’t have to be embarrassed. You aren’t quite what I had you pegged foreither.”
“I bet you thought I’d be an immature little brat—a typical millennial.” She smiled at me, showing off those perfect pearly whites, and rolled her eyes alittle.
With a shrug, I admitted, “You are much more mature and levelheaded than most people are at yourage.”
“Thank you. I strive to be.” The way her eyes held mine captivated me. She wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met. So young, yet so in control and sure ofherself.
I hadn’t let go of her chin, and the way my hand tingled made my heart beat harder. “If we didn’t have to deal with this no-dating policy, would you accept a date with me if I asked youout?”
