LOVE ‘EM(53)

“Well, thank you for the help. I’m supposed to be getting ready to go on stage, so I’d best go.”

“What’s your name, dear?”

I extend my hand. “Oh, I’m so rude. Please forgive me. I’m Ronnie Fitz.”

Her eyes widen a bit. “I’ve heard of you. It’s lovely to meet you in person.”

I lay my hand over my thumping heart. “You’ve heard of me?”

She shrugs. “You have a book, don’t you?”

A little thrill of excitement rushes through me. “I do. I do have a book.”

“You’d better go, or they’ll be looking for you. I hear the host can be a handful.”

“That’s what they say.” A little spark ignites deep inside. Only a few more minutes, and I’ll see him again—even if only for the limited time we’re in front of a live audience.

At the T at the end of the hall, I look both directions. The greenroom’s to the left, or was it right? Aw damn. I forgot to ask the sweet woman’s name. Can’t go back now, she’s probably just dropped her drawers and getting to business. I’ll ask, if I run into her again.

I check my phone. Another hour before the show even starts. Why on Earth they want guests to be here so early, I will never understand.

I find the greenroom after going the wrong direction and having to turn around. Why can’t they paint the halls different colors or something to make it easier to find where you came from?

I sit on the sofa, scrolling through emails. I wish I’d have brought Shay with me to at least keep me company.

A few minutes roll by and Cindy pops her head in. “Ms. Fitz, can you please come with me?”

I check the time. “The show hasn’t started early, has it? Are we taping?”

She shakes her head. “No. Mr. Tremaine wants to go over a couple of things with you before you go on.”

I grab my purse and follow the perky girl down the corridors. She holds her clipboard to her chest, a little spring in her step.

I have to ask. “Just out of curiosity, do you like working with Mr. Tremaine?”

She nods. “Oh, yes. He’s great. I’ve worked for others in similar positions, but none are as awesome as he is.”

My jaw clenches. Is she sleeping with him? Has she slept with him? She is cute. “What makes him so awesome?”

She stops and lets out a huge sigh. “My husband has some health issues. Jack’s been amazing about helping us out. He’s super understanding when I have to take off work or if something comes up and I need to leave. I used to be employed by the show, but when it looked like they were going to let me go because of all the missed time, he told them he’d personally pay my salary. He’s probably one of the nicest guys I know.”

“Wow. I had no idea. That’s—that’s really sweet.” Surprising, but in the best way.

She takes off down the hall again. “Jack doesn’t like it to get around, but he’s really a big ol’ softy.”

“It sounds like it.” Bull comes to mind. Jackson could afford to buy some purebred pooch, but he opted to save a life by rescuing a dog that needed a second chance.

Cindy stops at the end of the hall and shows me into a large conference room.

“I hope your husband’s health improves.”

“Thank you. Wait right here. Jack will be right with you.” She closes the blinds at the window looking into the hallway and shuts the door as she leaves.

I settle into one of the soft leather chairs parked next to the very long mahogany table. My stomach still rolls a bit, but at least the urge to vomit has passed. I inhale and exhale a few times, trying to steady my nerves.

Taking my little note card from my purse, I double check the points I want to make during the interview.

I pull a pen from the side pocket of my bag so I can jot down a couple of extra notations.

I turn.

Jack closes the door and takes four long strides. “Ronnie.”

I scoot the chair back so I can stand, but he kneels in front of me.

He takes my hands. “You look great.”

His touch is a soothing balm to my nerves.

“Thanks. You too.”

He kisses the backs of my hands. “How’ve you been? It seems like forever since I saw you last.”

I swallow the words I’d like to toss at him, still vacillating between missing him and being royally ticked off about the way he’s behaved. “It’s only been a few days.”

“A single day is too long.” He grins.

I have to do something before he melts me with that smile. I gently twist my hands out of his grasp. “So, what are we going over?”

He moves to a chair. “Not much. I only want to see which positive traits you plan to highlight. Which ones do you feel are most important for a potential man of your dreams?”