Page 31 of Just Another Silly Love Song

I hesitated but then stepped toward the counter, the curiosity eating me up so much that I couldn’t walk out the door without asking.

I needed to know if Dr. Tough Love was all just an act.

“Hey, I have a question for you, if you don’t mind.”

Debbie smiled. “Of course. Anything.”

I leaned across the counter and whispered, “It’s about Ben Baxter . . .”

Her face lit up.

Debbie got out of her chair and moved closer, looking around to make sure nobody was listening. “I know. Gorgeous,right?”

I hesitated, not wanting to think about that or even answer the question. “Uh . . .”

Debbie leaned in even closer. “Yes, he’s single, in case you’re wondering.” She winked.

“No!” My response startled Debbie so much that she plopped back down into her chair. “I mean—that’s not what I wanted to know.”

“Oh, sorry. It’s just that almost every woman in the building has asked me that question at one time or another. What was your question?”

Now, I wondered if I should just let it go. I didn’t know her well enough to know if she would start spreading rumors if I asked if Dr. Tough Love was faking his persona on the air. She would probably think I was prying because I liked him, and that’s the last thing I wanted.

“Lori?”

“Huh”

Debbie tilted her head to the side, analyzing me. “You had a question about Ben?”

“Well . . .”Think fast. Anything. “Yeah . . . have you seen him?”

It was the safest question I could think of, since he had already left the building.

“Yeah—he’s right there.” Debbie pointed behind me. “Ben! Lori wants to talk to you.”

Okay, that question certainly backfired on me.

I froze as I heard the footsteps behind me getting closer.

Ben was directly behind me.

I could feel it.

He cleared his throat. “What’s up, Lori? You needed me?”

I twirled around to face him and forced a smile. “Same time tomorrow, I presume?”

Ben arched an eyebrow. “Yeah. Same time.” He analyzed me further. “You okay?”

“Fine!” I didn’t mean to yell. “I mean, yeah, completely fine. See you tomorrow.”

“Will I be seeing you with two mochas?”

“Ha. You think you deserve a mocha?”

“Well, yeah. I was on my best behavior today.”

“That was your good behavior?”