Page 39 of Just Another Silly Love Song

I nodded. “Including you?”

“Of course, but Jarod takes it to another level. He’s a jackass.”

I’ll admit that Ben knew something about relationships and it almost seemed like his heart was in the right place sometimes, but he had the most horrible bedside manner I had ever seen in my entire life. He was like the doctor in that British seriesDoc Martin. Knowledgeable, but cringe-worthy at the same time. Okay, I admit that I actually enjoyed that TV show, but it wasn’t real so it doesn’t count. It was entertainment and nothing else.

I froze as Kyle’s words popped back into my head again.

Just think of yourself as two actors, playing to a live audience, but instead of being on television or on stage at the theater, it’s radio! There’s really no difference at all. You both are entertaining the listeners.

Ben arched an eyebrow. “Why are you staring at me?”

“I’m trying to figure you out.”

He chuckled. “There’s nothing to figure out. I’m an open book.”

“I don’t think you are, actually. You’re putting on a show, aren’t you?”

“This is my show, so I have to put it on. Otherwise there would be no show.”

I shook my head. “First of all, this isourshow, and there’s a distinct possibility that you’re faking it.”

Ben scoffed and crossed his arms. “Please . . . I only fake my orgasms.”

I laughed, but then tried to cut myself off and snorted horribly.

It was way too late for giving Ben the satisfaction of thinking he’d said something funny. It was time to get my serious face back on, to avoid encouraging him.

Too bad I smiled again before I could stop myself.

Ben pointed to my face. “That smile of yours could melt an iceberg.”

I blinked.

How could such an infuriating man say something so sweet?

Chapter Ten

BEN

Lori Martin was the capricious, captivating, conundrum in my life. She confused me. She fascinated me. She irritated me. And she stimulated me.

All at the same time.

Like a beautiful rose with a scent I couldn’t get enough of, yet capable of being a thorn in my side. In other words, she was driving me crazy.

But there was one thing you would never hear me disagree with and that would be the magnificence of her smile. It didn’t happen often, but when she showed those pearly whites, wow. At this point, the only thing I could do was enjoy each smile while it lasted, then pretend I never noticed.

Lori crossed her arms. “Didn’t anyone teach you that it’s not polite to stare?”

The thorn was back.

Poking me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I lied and pointed toward the wall behind her chair. “I was checking out the poster.”

She twisted around to look behind her, and then turned back toward me. “You’ve been on the air here for five years and you’re looking at the evacuation procedures of the building now?”

“I’m wrestling with my fight or flight response, and it’s the first time I’ve ever felt the need to run for my life.”