"An inspiring story, yes. That even when you're covered in blood, you can catch someone's eye." She rolled her eyes. "Maker, she is going to kill me if she hears half of what I've said tonight about her."

She broke off a piece of the bread she'd brought over to offer it to the dog. "A whole weekend? You'd be absolutely sick to death of me by that point if we did that." She felt heat on the back of her neck when she turned back to crack another crab leg for herself.

"Oh, please do. In the meantime, I'll make absolutely certain that wherever we stay has some level of discretion and won't ask too many questions when I reserve a room there." She hadn't been Champion long enough to dissuade everyone to leave off with the kind words and praises. She wouldn't want a quiet evening to turn into something bigger than it needed to be. But having the time alone with him, intimate or friendly, was enough to draw another faint smile at her, quickly hidden when she had a drink from her glass.