My heart leaps into my throat.
That is…not a cuckoo bird.
“How’s it going?”
A smile tickles my lips.Hi, how’s it going?She’s calling into a live radio show, andthat’sher opening line?
“And towhomare we speaking?” Hughie inquires in a jovial voice.
“Um. I’m sorry. I didn’t plan this ahead of time. I just saw on your social media that you were doing this show, and I couldn’t not call.” She pauses. “I’m talking to Wyatt, by the way, not you, Hughie.”
I choke out a laugh.
Ashley looks at me. “You two know each other?”
When I nod, she motions with her hand to use my words, and I remember we’re on the radio. “Yes, we know each other,” I say, unable to keep the smile off my face.
Hughie pipes up again. “You still haven’t introduced yourself,muse.”
“Oh. Right. My name’s Blake.”
“Solid name,” he tells her.
“Can I talk to Wyatt now?” she asks with a sigh.
Hughie snickers. “Permission granted, muse.”
My pulse is racing as I wait for her to continue.
“So…yeah…I’ve spent the last few days trying to think of the perfect way to grovel, because I’m told that’s how I’m going to win you back,” Blake says, and every person in the booth goes wide-eyed like they just won the lottery.
I imagine this is probably the most exciting thing that’s ever happened at this radio station. Even Ashley is trembling with excitement.
“Freckles,” I start. “You don’t have to—”
“Don’t youdareinterrupt her,” Hughie chides.
“I know I messed up.” Blake’s voice trembles. “I pushed you away, and I said things that I wish I could take back. I’m not going to repeat them here, because I don’t want the whole world knowing our business. Maybe just part of our business. I said a lot of things, but the one thing I never said is that I love you.”
I grip the edge of the table, suddenly needing to steady myself. Those words in my ear—and apparently everyone else’s ears—release a flood of emotion inside me.
“I love you,” she repeats. “I love the way you look at me like I’m worth writing songs about. I love how you see me. Like,reallysee me. And I miss that. I miss being seen by you, and I can’t go another day feeling the absence of that. The absence ofyou.”
My eyes burn, and I’m worried I’m dangerously close to crying. On live fucking radio.
“You were right. I was telling myself stories too. That I’m not special compared to other people. I thought that if I hid in the background, nobody would notice how unimpressive I was. But you know what? I don’t need to impress anyone but myself. And maybe you, because I want you to be proud of me.”
Proud of her? Jesus Christ. I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder in my life. The girl of my dreams is professing her love on live fuckingradio. It’s the kind of magic that people like me sing about.
“So if you mean it and nothing’s changed, then maybe when you finish your interview, you can come down to the lobby, because that’s where I am right now,” Blake says. “Waiting for you.”
Silence. The entire studio is still and silent. Even Hughie looks a bit misty-eyed.
Swallowing hard, I glance at the hosts. “Would you be mad if I left?”
Ashley lets out a breathless, squeaky laugh. “Oh my God, go get her already.”
I rip off my headphones, and I’m out that door in a heartbeat. Down the narrow hall toward the stairwell, because the station is only two floors and I’m not waiting for a damn elevator. I hurl myself down the stairs two at a time, bursting into the lobby only seconds later.
