The press conference went on for an hour or so. Everyone in attendance had gotten a taste of Roy Kent's personal life and they were hungry for more. Trent Crimm's scandalous announcement changed the tide of the conversation from Evie and Roy simply being an item to thier earlier than planned wedding announcement. Trent had set the bar for interesting questions rather high, and his colleagues had failed to even come close to The Independent reporter's interrogation skills.
Not previously armed with the inside scoop about the younger Lasso's visa, the other journalists scrambled to play catch up. Most of the questions were less pointed. Who is thier solicitor? (A question which Roy answered with a prompt "None of your fucking business.") What were their plans for the future? ("Get married and take it one day at a time." Evie had replied before assuring the press that while her ring was being sized, it would be ready before Richmond's next match.)
Every time a hand shot up; her heart would pound as she worried about what she'd have to lie about next. Only for the reporter in question to ask something entirely uninteresting. Evie began to understand why Roy found the process boring and exhausting at the same time. But this was exactly the job she had signed up for. So, she'd smile and nod along as she was questioned about wedding colors or a guest list. Silly things she hadn't given any thought to. A beautiful wedding didn't have anything to do with having a happy marriage.
"Trent Crimm." Evie cornered the reporter on his way out of the building.
"Ah, Miss Lasso or should I say Mrs. Kent?" He greeted her.
"Future Mrs. Kent for now, but Evie is just fine." She corrected. "Interesting scoop that you were able to get there."
I apologize that I was forced to make such unseemly suggestions, Evie, but as a writer yourself you must know I have to go where the story leads me." He commented.
"Of course." She nodded with understanding. "And I'll admit that as a colleague I'm marveled by your resourcefulness."
"I won't reveal my source regarding your visa status if that's what you're asking." Trent suddenly bristled.
"No, no, of course not!" She assured him. "While my line of work requires I cite my sources I'd never expect someone of your career to do so." She sighed taking a moment to collect herself. This wasn't exactly the conversation She'd planned in her head. "Actually, Trent Crimm, I was hoping we could be friends."
"Friends?" Trent repeated, taken aback.
"Yeah. Pals. Buddies. Amigos." She listed. "We're both writers, we both adore my brother and aside from some Richmond fans down at the local, I haven't made very many since my move. I don't want to cross any professional boundaries or anything but, well, you can never have too many friends, right?"
"What makes you think I adore Coach Lasso?" Trent asked.
"I've got my own sources." She replied with confidence. "Now Trent, as my friend, you would get an invite to the wedding. Which means you'll be past whatever press barricade Keeley puts up. You'll also have access to our guests for interviews, provided it doesn't interrupt the fun."
"What would you and Mr. Kent be receiving in return?" Trent wondered skeptically.
"Nothing that would compromise your journalistic integrity." She promised. "Just someone who would write an honest and interesting piece about us."
"Well, as you and Mr. Kent have yet to set a date for this event, I imagine I have time to consider your offer." He replied.
"No timeline on friendship." She assured him. "See you this weekend at the game? I'll save you a seat at the press box."
"Perhaps, Miss Lasso. Until then." Trent gave a passive good-bye nod and walked towards his car.
"That was bloody brilliant!" Evie experienced a real-life jump scare as Keeley seemed to come up beside her from nowhere. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." She apologized. "I only meant I've been 'round footballers for years and I've never seen someone talk to Trent Crimm like that. No one 'cept maybe Ted. You're gonna be a real PR darling." Keeley nudged Evie approvingly.
"At least I've got that going for me." She smirked. Evie watched Keeley seemingly chewing on her lip as she mulled something over in her mind. "Everything alright?" she asked her.
"Yeah." Keeley nodded. "No actually." She sighed. "I'm not sure. There's something I feel like I should tell you."
"Okay." Evie hoped she sounded encouraging and not impatient.
"You remember this morning, yeah?" Keeley asked.
"Of course. It's before noon. It's still this morning." Evie pointed out.
"Right." Keeley remarked, uncomfortably. "Well, when I came 'round Roy's house I didn't think you'd be there."
"Oh." Was all Evie could think to say to fill in the gap of silence.
"And well, I thought maybe the same thing as Trent Crimm, or maybe I just wanted to, because the truth is I've always sort of fancied Roy." Evie watched Keeley's shoulders slump. She deflated as if she'd been holding in a very large breath. "I'm so sorry I thought such an awful thing about you. I mean that would be such a terrible thing, wouldn't it? Lying about being in love just to get a visa?"
"Of course!" Evie agreed too quickly. "Terrible."
"I hope we can still be friends." Keeley said. "I mean you're a proper baddy, you."
"I'd like nothing more than to be friends, Keely." Evie encourage.
"Brilliant!" She beamed. "We'll celebrate our new friendship with coffee in my office, yeah?" Evie nodded along and followed Keeley into her office.