Alex looked startled at her agreeance. “Did you just say I’m right?”
Her lip twitched. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He grinned broadly. Payton felt her insides turn to mush. Curse that dimpled grin. It had affected her in high school, and it still did.
She clutched her mother’s necklace and started fiddling with it. Fidgeting was almost a nervous habit of hers, she’d never been able to kick. “I never did properly thank you.”
“For what?” he asked, puzzled.
“Saving my life.”
“It wasn’t anything, but you’re welcome.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.
It was to her. He’d saved her life. Payton knew she was good against one or two assailants, but one being a giant built like a tank pushed her to her limits. If Alex hadn’t interceded when he did, she might be being carted off by now to God knew where.
“Is your boss alright with you taking off suddenly to help find my dad?”
“Yeah, we’re in between missions. Colonel Jones understands how important Nick is to me. He’s also aware that Nick was helping me with the investigation.”
“Is your girlfriend as understanding?” She didn’t know why she should care if he was with someone or not. Morbid curiosity.
Alex readjusted in his seat and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Wife? Boyfriend?” She knew he wasn’t gay. She just wanted to tease him. Alex was a ladies’ man. She couldn’t remember a time he didn’t have a girl hanging off of his arm.
Alex scowled at her question. “No, to either,” he added before she could probe further.
“Trouble committing?”
“What, are you a therapist too?” He was getting testy now. She should back off.
“No, sorry, I’m just curious.”
“Don’t be. My private life isn’t very interesting.”
She didn’t agree with that assessment.
“What do you do on your off time?”
Alex shrugged. “Hang out with my teammates mostly.”
Probably picked up women at the local bar.
“How long have you been with your team?”
“Six years.”
“Can you tell me about them?” She knew some things were secret about them, so she didn’t want to pry too deep.
He relaxed in his seat. He was more at ease talking about them than women. But why? Was he embarrassed about his past? It’s not like she was a virgin and didn’t know about sex and relationships. “Which one?”
“All of them.” She leaned back and settled in to hear about his friends. By his easy grin, she could tell he got along with them. It probably wasn’t hard. He was an easygoing guy. She couldn’t remember anyone ever saying a negative thing about him.
She could see his mind turning. Probably wondering what he could tell her and what was meant to be secret. That was okay. She wanted to glean anything she could learn about him.
“Charlie, he’s our team lead, he’s a gruff guy. Doesn’t talk much. Got a pretty nasty facial scar a few years ago on deployment.”
“That’s so sad.”