Page 48 of Surviving Love

He laughed. “Well, yeah. Nobody comes on this show without a good solid reason, right?”

“I suppose.”

“Most people don’t actually enjoy starving and suffering for thirty days. There’s always a reason. Usually monetary.”

I didn’t respond. My reason for coming on the show had nothing to do with money. I had financial security already.

“So?” he nudged. “Why did you come on the show?”

I shrugged.

“What do you do for a living?”

“It’s not as exciting as your job.”

“No?”

“Nope. In fact, it seems dull compared to what you do.”

“Are you going to tell me what it is?” He laughed.

“Actually, I’m semi-retired.”

I could feel his surprise. “Aren’t you kind of young to be retired?”

“I guess. I used to own an accounting business.” I cleared my throat. “I… uh… sold it last year.”

“You were an accountant?”

“Yes.”

“You do not look like an accountant,” he said softly.

I wasn’t sure what he meant exactly, but at least his voice wasn’t mocking. “What do accountants look like?”

He gave a self-conscious laugh. “Different than you.”

I frowned. “I don’t get it.”

“You must know most people think of accountant types as nerds. When I hear the word ‘accountant,’ I picture a scrawny guy with glasses and a calculator.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?”

“I think so.”

“I don’t think it’s so silly. People run to types. A lot of cops look like cops.”

“Plenty don’t.” I tried to see him through the gloom. “I knew plenty of people in my field who just looked like everybody else.”

“Hate to break it to you, Mason, but you also don’t look like everybody else.”

I wrinkled my brow. “I don’t understand.”

“Come on, you must know you’re… a good-looking guy, right?”

Heat seeped into my face. “I’m average at best.”