by Cindi Myers
Tanisha’s eyes widened. “You mean like a partner?”
She nodded. “Yes. Can you believe it?” The thought of working with Adam every day was too sweet. “It’s incredible.”
“Wow. Congratulations.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “So you never did give me the scoop. What happened after I loaned you the lingerie? Exactly how much did you and the Hawk interact?”
Erica grinned. “Let’s just say I think you should definitely try that outfit on that guy in your building. The results for me were…impressive.”
“Uh-huh. Did you make use of those condoms I sent along?”
“Oh yes.”
“Get out of here!” Tanisha slapped Erica’s arm. “How did you manage that with the security cameras and everything?”
Erica looked around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned closer, keeping her voice low. “You remember that big storm Sunday night? When the power went out?”
“Yeah.”
“Well…no electricity, no cameras.”
Tanisha laughed. “You go. So what are you going to do now that you’ll be working together on air?”
She straightened and smoothed her skirt over her thighs. “We haven’t really talked about it.”
“The man doesn’t talk much, I’ve noticed.”
“He’s better when we’re alone. I definitely want to see more of him. And I think he feels that way, too.” Some men were harder to read than others. Adam had definitely been into her Sunday night, but this morning he’d seemed less sure. Maybe he was just gun-shy, remembering what had happened with Bonnie. Or maybe some other woman had screwed him up in the past. No matter. If he was reluctant, she was sure she could persuade him. After all, they still had a lot of discovering to do, both in and out of bed.
“If Carl finds out, he’ll have a conniption. Probably fire you both. You, for sure, since you don’t have any seniority.”
“I know.” She ought to be worried about that, but the idea of having to sneak around with Adam to keep anyone from finding out about their relationship made things that much more exciting. “We’ll be careful.”
“So you get the man, and your own show.” Tanisha shook her head. “The stars are sure lining up for you. But you’ve still got another problem.”
“What’s that?”
“The Bombshell is going to explode when she hears this one.”
Bonnie. For a moment Erica had forgotten about her unpredictable co-worker. “No, I don’t imagine she’ll be too happy.”
“Are you kidding? If I were you, I’d steer clear of her for the next few days, at least.”
“That’s going to be hard to do, since she does the weather and traffic reports during the show.”
“Yeah, well at least Adam will be there to run interference.”
“I’m sure he’s thrilled with that idea.” Maybe that explained why he’d been less than enthusiastic about them working together.
“What are they going to call the show, anyway?” Tanisha asked. “It can’t be Afternoons with the Hawk anymore.”
“Carl wants to call it the Hawk and Honey show.” She made a face. “Can you believe it?”
Tanisha laughed. “Honey? Sounds like something Carl would come up with. I suppose it could be worse.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She stood, ready to get to work. “If I have to change my name to Lambchop to do this, I will.”
The phone rang. “I’d better answer that,” Tanisha said. “But congratulations. I can’t wait to hear you on the air.”
“Thanks.” She turned and headed for the break room. Tonight she might treat herself to a bottle of champagne to celebrate, but for now a cup of strong coffee would have to do.
She wasn’t too surprised to find Adam already in the break room, seated at one of the tables. “I thought you might come down here after you got finished with Carl,” she said as she poured the last cup of coffee from the carafe. “Did he say anything else interesting after I left?”
“No, he just wanted me to take over some of Nick’s in-stores and concert gigs until he’s on his feet again.”
She took the seat across from him and busied herself adding packets of creamer and sugar to her coffee, while she studied him through lowered lashes. He looked more rested than he had over the weekend, the tiredness gone from his eyes. But he was never what she would call relaxed. He always had a watchfulness about him, as if he were sizing up every situation, never accepting anything at face value. No wonder he’d been dubbed “the thinker” by some since-departed station wag and that the label had stuck. But Erica wondered if it didn’t mean he tended to overthink some situations.
Not that she could be accused of overthinking. If anything, she was too impulsive at times. For instance, she’d once decided on a whim to drive to California for the weekend, ditching her job and the guy she was dating without a second thought. Looking back, she could see it wasn’t the smartest move, though it had been fun at the time.
But she was serious about this job, and about working things out with Adam. So rather than blow off what was bound to be an uncomfortable conversation, she faced up to the fact that they needed to talk about what had happened in Carl’s office. “I know you’re not too keen on giving up your solo spot in the afternoon,” she said. “But I think we’ll have fun together.”
“I’m sure we will.” He looked up from contemplating his coffee. “Hey, I didn’t mean to come off negative there at first. This is a terrific opportunity for you and I know you’ll do a great job. And I meant what I said about the listeners being ready for a change. They love you.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
He sat forward, both hands wrapped around his coffee cup. “You remember what we talked about, Sunday night? About how two people who work together shouldn’t get involved in a personal relationship?”
So that was what was bugging him. She took a sip of coffee, stalling, and made a face. Urk, it tasted like dirty dishwater. She should know better than to get the last cup. “I remember. But you don’t have to worry about that now.”
“I don’t?” He frowned. “Why not?”
“Because we’ve already proved that being involved with each other off the air makes it that much easier to work together.”
“It does?”
“Sure. Do you think that ‘sexy banter’ that Carl, and the listeners, like so much would have come naturally if we weren’t attracted to each other? It’s because we’re involved that we work so well together.”
“I can guarantee Carl’s not going to buy that explanation. If he finds out the two of us are seeing each other outside of work, we’re both history.”
Her stomach fluttered. “He won’t find out. We’ll be careful.”
He looked unconvinced. “But what happens if things go bad between us? That means the show goes bad, too. Then we’re both worse off than we were before, both professionally and personally.”
“Why are you assuming things won’t work out?”
“I’m being realistic. Most relationships do end at some point. What happens then?”
“I say we worry about that then.” Why borrow trouble by thinking negatively now? “We’re both adults. We can handle it.”
“I thought I could handle Bonnie and it almost cost me my job.”
She debated dousing him with her coffee, but told herself that wouldn’t exactly prove her point. “That’s not fair. I’m nothing like Bonnie.”
He sat up straighter. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But I’ve always tried to keep my personal life separate from my work. Every time I’ve deviated from that, I’ve ended up paying a big price.”
“I don’t see how we’re going to do that if we’re working together every day.”
He looked pained. “I’m saying we need to quit while we’re ahead. What happened at the Furniture Gallery was great. I’ll never forget it. But we need to put it behind us now and focus on work.”
She couldn’t believe sh
e was hearing him right. “You’re serious? You don’t want to sleep with me again? Ever?”
“Keep your voice down.” He glanced around the still-empty room, then turned to her again, his voice softer. “It’s not that I don’t want to. But I think it would be best for both of us if we were friends and co-workers, not lovers.”
He made it sound so simple. Like turning the dial to another channel. “I don’t know whether to feel hurt that you could drop me so easily, or amazed at the way your mind works,” she said.
“Don’t be hurt. And don’t think this is easy for me. But it’s for the best. You’ll see.” He stood. “I have to go get ready for the show. Are you coming?”
“Sure. In a minute.” As soon as she had time to calm down. Right now, all she wanted to do was knock some sense into him.
After he left, she got up and poured her too-bitter coffee down the sink. So Adam thought they should put what happened this weekend behind them. Go on as if it never happened.
How was she supposed to pretend the most amazing sex of her life hadn’t happened? How could she treat Adam as a mere friend and co-worker when he meant so much more to her now?
At least he hadn’t suggested she turn down the job. He must have known how much this chance meant to her. But dammit, why should she have to ignore her feelings for Adam in order to succeed in her career?
There had to be a way to have her dream job and her dream man at the same time. Surely she was smart enough to find that way.
BY THE TIME Bonnie got home that night, she had worked herself into a fury over her latest mistreatment at the hands of KROK management. Doug was waiting for her, lounging on the sofa and watching TV as if nothing in the world was wrong.
“Shut off that noise. I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped, and tossed her purse on the coffee table in front of him, narrowly missing an open can of beer.
He hit the off button on the remote and rescued the beer. “Tough day?”
“It was a horrible day. The worst.” She whirled to face him, hands on her hips. “You’ll never guess what they’ve done now. Never in a million years.”
He sipped the beer. “So tell me.”
“They’ve put that, that, nobody, Erica whatever-the-hell-her-name-is, in the drive-time slot with Adam Hawkins.”
“I see,” he said, looking puzzled. “And that’s bad because?”
“Because I should have had that position, not some amateur like her.” She began to pace, high heels making sharp round circles in the thick pile of the carpet. “Nobody even had the courtesy to warn me. I showed up to do the traffic report at four and there she was, sitting in my chair. The one I always sit in to do my reports. I couldn’t believe it.”
Erica hadn’t even been smart enough to move out of the way. Bonnie should have known then something was up. “You’ll have to stand today,” Adam told her, not even bothering to apologize. “We’ll try to have another chair for you tomorrow.”
“What is she doing here?” Bonnie couldn’t even look at Erica, instead focusing on Adam.
“Adam and I are doing the afternoon show together now,” Erica said, as calmly as if she was announcing the time.
“Oh, are you?” Bonnie practically purred. She knew better than to let them see how she was really feeling. How enraged the news made her. She even smiled at Adam. “Did you suggest her for the position?” she asked.
“It was Carl’s idea.” Erica butted in again. “He thought listeners were ready for a change.”
“If the listeners want a change, Carl should give them me,” Bonnie said now to Doug. “Carl obviously hates me. He discounts all my hard work and gives some…some child, a complete amateur, her own show when she’s only worked on the air a few hours.”
“If he’s so against you, maybe you should get a job somewhere else.” Doug helped himself to an apple from the bowl on the coffee table.
“I don’t want to go anywhere else. KROK is the number one station in Denver. Going somewhere else would be like taking a demotion.”
Doug took a bite from the apple. “Maybe you could sue.”
“Believe me, I’ve thought of that. But why should I have to pay a lawyer to get what I deserve?” She began to pace again. “No, I need a way to open Carl’s eyes to my value at the station.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“I don’t know. But I’m always thinking. Always looking for my opening. And when I find it, they’ll all be sorry they took me for granted.”
“I don’t see how anybody could take you for granted, baby.”
Doug always said the right thing, one of the reasons she liked having him around. But words weren’t always enough. She wanted proof that she was valued. She wanted her own radio show and the fans she deserved.
She was tired of people standing in the way of her dreams. If she had to shove them over to get what she wanted, then it was time to start shoving.
9
“THAT WAS ‘Into the Morning’ by The Weekend.” Adam segued into the next promo. “Speaking of the weekend, on Saturday from one to four I’ll have the KROK swag van at Highlands Audio, 42nd and Federal. Stop by and get your free KROK bumper stickers or T-shirts. I’ll also have some CDs and concert tics to give away. While you’re there, check out the great deals on home and car stereo systems.”
“Would that be the brand-new swag van?” Erica asked, right on cue.
“That’s the one. A replacement for the one totaled in Naughty Nick’s accident. Stop by and check out the sick paint job on this baby. So what are your plans for the weekend, Erica?”
“I’ll be at the Green Day concert Saturday night. And Saturday afternoon, I’m having a new bed delivered.”
That certainly wasn’t in the script, but he played along. “A new bed? Something you bought to celebrate our new show?”
“Not exactly. Mattress Max was so pleased with the job we did raising money for the Salvation Army that he’s sending me my very own Therapedic Sleep System.”
And what exactly did Max expect in return? The lecher. Adam pushed the thought away and kept up the patter. “How about that, folks? Max didn’t send me a mattress. Maybe if I had long blond hair and big b—”
“Now, Hawk, you’re going to give people the wrong impression.”
“I was going to say big blue eyes.” His eyes met hers, and his heart beat a little faster. Seeing her every day this way hadn’t done anything to make him stop wanting her. Working together in the small sound booth, it was impossible not to brush up against each other a dozen times a day. And now she was talking about mattresses, reminding him of the time they’d spent alone, in the dark, in a certain king-size bed…
While he segued into the commercial break, she scribbled a note and passed it to him. Since you didn’t get a new mattress of your own, you’ll just have to come over and try out mine.
He cleared his throat, determined to steer the conversation back to safer territory. You know why that wouldn’t be a good idea, he wrote back.
Oh, I think it would be a very good idea. She winked as she passed back the scrap of paper. He checked the countdown clock and saw it was time to go live once more.
“Good news, folks. Naughty Nick will be back on the air Monday morning. His leg’s still in a cast, but he hasn’t let that slow him down.”
“I heard they kicked him out of the hospital for chasing nurses,” Erica said.
“I heard they booted him because he caught one.”
“I’m sure he’ll have some wild stories to tell,” Erica said. “So be sure to tune in Monday morning at 6:00 a.m. for the return of Naughty Nick.”
“Looks like it’s time for us to say goodbye. Have a safe weekend. Casey is up next to take you out on the town for your Friday night.” He hit Play and the strains of Korn’s “Did My Time” blasted from the speakers.
Erica removed her headphones and grinned at him. “Our first week done. I thought it went pretty well.”
“You did great.” He
stowed his headset and stood and stretched. He lowered his voice and moved close enough that any listening production crew wouldn’t be able to overhear. “What’s with the stuff about the bed?”
“It’s true. I am getting a new bed this weekend.” She gave him a coy look. “And you’re welcome to try it out anytime.”
“I am not getting back in your bed.” He had to force the words out, but he meant them.
“You say that, but I know you want to be there. And I want you there.”
Her words sent heat curling through him. “Enough. I told you why that’s a bad idea. Nothing’s changed about our situation to make it a good one.”
“You’re too young to worry so much.” She retrieved her purse from under the console and slung it over her shoulder. “Want to go for a drink? Celebrate our first week together?”
He shook his head. “Give it a rest.”
“You know what I think?”
He groaned. “No, but you’re going to tell me, aren’t you?”
“I think you’re a masochist. You like to punish yourself. Either that, or you’re afraid to have a good time.”
“Thank you, Dr. Laura.” He fished his car keys from his pocket and headed toward the door. “See you on Monday.”
He hurried across the parking lot, hoping she’d have the sense not to follow him. So she thought it was cowardly not to follow through on his feelings for her. From his point of view, avoiding her took more guts than he’d known he had. If he’d been the type to believe in karma, he’d have said he was paying for past sins by having to struggle so hard to do the right thing now.
He was unlocking his car, almost home free, when Bonnie cornered him. “Going to meet your little girlfriend?” She leaned against the driver’s side door, preventing him from opening it.
“If you’re talking about Erica, she’s not my girlfriend.”
“Doesn’t look that way to me. You two sound pretty cozy on the air.”
“It’s part of the act.” A lie, but she didn’t have to know that. Carl had encouraged them to flirt on air.
“You’re a terrible actor. I should know. If Carl finds out you two are a hot item, he’ll fire you both.”