“That would be Harry Fleet. My agent. He’s usually surprising me with something I’m irritated by.”

“Ah, now it makes sense.”

“He called with a job offer. In Vegas.”

Her mouth opened. “Uh, what?”

“There’s a primetime sports network called Game Time. They air all the boxing matches, including some amateur ones like the Golden Gloves. Definitely all the different belts and championships. Lightweight, heavyweight. They’re considering me for a commentator role. Like an analyst. Instead of boxing, I’d be talking about it.”

Tabitha slowly dragged the spoon from between her lips. “This is huge news, Dean.”

I nodded, shaking my right knee up and down. I wasn’t sure what the nerves in the pit of my stomach were trying to tell me.

“And you’d want to do it? Move to Vegas, get back into boxing?” she asked.

I glanced at her sideways. Paused. “I have no fucking idea. Can’t tell if I’m excited or scared shitless.”

She grinned around her spoon. “That’s a feeling I know well.”

I dropped my elbows to my knees. “Would you take it?”

“In a heartbeat,” she said. “But, as we’ve previously established, I’m fond of taking giant leaps without looking. I said yes to that contract in Austin and didn’t even take a day to consider it. I’m sure I’ll love it there. And wherever I go always ends up being temporary. But still.” She shoulder-bumped me. “I wouldn’t knock your penchant for overthinking. This sounds like more than just the next gig. This sounds like a massive change to your entire life.”

I let out a long, low breath. “And a move. To be on TV.”

“And Alice thinks I’m internet famous. She won’t know what to do if she can legitimately watch you on television whenever she wants.”

I turned my head to look at her. “Wearing a suit too.”

Her eyebrow lifted. “Maybe I’ll tune in. For the suit alone.”

I forced myself not to release her gaze. I was enjoying this moment with her way too much—her curiosity, the warm laughter in her voice, her goofy flirting. Being on the receiving end of Tabitha’s charm caused that fight-night flicker in my chest to spark even more than the job offer. It was a different kind of power. One that had the same muting effect on my tendency to hesitate. To overanalyze every word and action from too many angles.

With my gloves on, I never once wavered when facing an opponent. Because I had instincts I could trust. As my eyes dropped to Tabitha’s full lips, I wondered if those same instincts were trustworthy. Or if being around this woman just made me really fucking stupid.

Tabitha dipped her spoon directly into my bowl.

“Used to be I commanded a certain level of respect in this city,” I said with a smirk.