Chapter 42

Chris’s POV

"... of course they're trying to find any excuse to stir the pot," Jake drawled around a mouthful of omelets, waggling his smart phone.

I followed his gesture to the brightly lit screen showing yet another gossip rag's take on yesterday's innocuous cafe meeting with Megan.

WRITER BEAU SENDS CHAMP'S HEART SOARING read the screaming headline over a grainy photo clearly snapped from outside the window.

It depicted Megan and I sitting at our private table, body language warm if a bit guarded.

"Vultures," I muttered, unable to suppress an eye roll.

Jake snorted indelicately through his nasal passage. "What'd you expect? You're the rakish mystery man who's suddenly all up in boxing's 'It Girl' business."

He smirked unrepentantly. "Personally, I think the real headline here should be LOVESTRUCK WORDSMITH BRAVES CELEBRITY GLARE FOR SHOT AT GLORY."

I felt my cheeks instantly feel hot!

"Yea, the rags have final