Crazy in Chicago by Norah-Jean Perkin

solve my problems. It’s just that I can think of much more pleasant, productive ways to do it.” His voice dropped to a purr. “Something involving me and you and a bed. I don’t really think we need a psychic there too.”
    â€œOohhh!” In her annoyance, Roberta jumped up. Her chair tipped and fell with a clang to the patio stones. Was this a pattern? Did Cody always turn on the charm when he wanted to avoid a discussion?
    She glared at him. “Quit trying to change the subject. I already told you, we can’t have a romantic relationship. Only a professional, and neighborly relationship. Besides, we’re too different.”
    Cody rested his chin on his hand. He didn’t appear the least bit deterred by her comments. “So tell me again. Why are you and I together such an impossibility? I want to know.”
    Roberta sighed. “Okay, I’ll tell you again. But first, did you notice that the only time you try to seduce me is when you’re trying to avoid my questions? That’s hardly flattering.”
    She grabbed the chair, set it upright, and plunked herself down. “One, you’re writing a series on UFOs and aliens. You’ve talked to me, and my boss, about the subject and our organization. You are likely to want more information from us in the next week or so. I doubt even you think it’s ethical to go to bed with your sources.”
    Cody frowned. “I don’t use sex to get what I want, if that’s what you mean. And I can get my information from sources other than you. I told you that.”
    Roberta shook her head. “Maybe that’s true. But something else is important too. You’re a typical, skeptical reporter. You won’t even contemplate believing some of the things that I think are possible. At heart, you think I’m a kook. I couldn’t possibly get involved with someone who . . . who didn’t respect me.”
    Roberta pursed her lips. She hadn’t realized until this moment just how much she wanted Cody to think well of her, to be impressed by her abilities and skills. She’d grown used to her older brothers’ jokes about her job, to the concern of her parents. She’d almost accepted the fact that nothing she did would ever impress Garnet, because, well, that was Garnet. But Cody?
    Maybe later, after she’d proved that he had been abducted by aliens—if that was indeed the case—maybe then a relationship would be possible. Until then, she had to remain uninvolved. No one, not even Garnet, would believe her evidence if she got tangled up with Cody before everything was in place.
    Cody’s brow creased. “I don’t think you’re a kook.”  
    His dark eyes, full of questions, surveyed her, then finally met and held hers. The sincerity she saw there dumbfounded her, shaking the foundation of her argument, or at least the one she had presented to him. She swallowed and looked away.
    â€œNever mind,” she finally spit out. She looked away from the genuine caring she saw in his eyes. “There’s no point discussing this. We are not going to go out. We are not going to have a romantic relationship. We are most definitely not going to go to bed together. Okay? I don’t want to hear about this again.”
    Cody regarded her for a moment, then shrugged. “Anything you say, Ma’am.”
    Roberta swallowed in an attempt to regain her self-control. “Now, where were we? That’s right. We were discussing why you don’t want to go to see the psychic. Don’t you see that’s the only option you’ve got left? Especially if you don’t plan on going to see the doctor.”
    The weariness returned to Cody’s face. “I agree there seems to be nothing else. I just don’t think visiting the psychic will provide me with any useful answers.”
    â€œBut you don’t know that for sure. I know it seems silly, but isn’t