I drive us to the Lite Rock studio and Josh holds my hand the entire time. I keep stealing glances at him, but he appears lost in thought and I’m too jittery to make conversation.
“Are you okay?” His voice catches me off guard. “Nervous?”
“A little,” I admit. “I’m sure this is nothing for you, but it’s not every day I go on a radio show.” I smile in spite of myself.
“Admittedly, I haven’t done any interviews in a long time.” Josh pauses. “I’ve been trying to lay low.”
I give him a sideways glance, arching a brow. “Any particular reason why?”
Josh hesitates, his lips pushed into a line, his brow furrowed as if he’s deciding how to answer. “Things in Nashville weren’t great when I left. I felt like all eyes were on me and not in a good way.”
I pull into a parking spot before I answer him. Unbuckling my seatbelt, I turn to him, tilting my head. “Care to elaborate?”
Josh‘s shoulders stiffen, and he crosses his arms, as if closing himself off. “Not really, to be honest.” My face must betray me because he adds, “Not yet anyway.”
His response feels callous and out of character, but I don’t have time to push him. We’re due inside in three minutes.
“We have to go in,” I say, gathering my things. I don’t meet his eyes.
“Mel, I’ll fill you in, someday,” Josh says, grasping my forearm to stop me from frantically walking away. “Before we go on a radio show is not the time though.”
“Fine.” I sigh. “You don’t owe me anything, Josh.” I open my car door and climb out, opening the rear door to grab my guitar.
Josh doesn’t respond, and it’s clear to me that it’s because he doesn’t want to get into whatever he’s got going on before we walk into this interview. But I can’t help but want to press him. Unfortunately, after the interview, I have to work the day shift. Josh and I will have to talk tonight.
Jim’s assistant, Andrea, greets us as we walk in. The morning show is already underway—it starts at six a.m.—so Andrea leads us to a small waiting area where we’ll wait to be introduced. She brings us both a bottle of Fiji water and a hot cup of coffee. Josh and I sit side-by-side on a small loveseat. His thigh grazes mine, and it’s taking everything in me not to put my hand on his leg. I must be jittery because a moment later,his handfinds my leg. His warm palm cups my kneecap, and he traces circles around it with his thumb.
“It’s going to be fine,” Josh whispers, leaning close to me. I can feel the tickle of his breath on my neck. It’s minty and I fight the urge to grab his face and devour it. Josh sets me at ease, even when he’s not trying. “They even sprung for the good water.” His lips twitch.
“Josh, Melanie! Thanks for coming.” We’re interrupted by Jim Jones himself, grinning at us from the doorway.
We stand and shake his hand, exchanging pleasantries.
“We’re on a fifteen-minute music break, so let’s bring you in and get you mic’d and ready.” Jim gestures toward Andrea, who is holding the studio door open for us. “After you.”
Ten minutes later, we’re settled in the soundproof studio in comfortable chairs around the mixing board. We’re wearing microphones and headsets, and Jim is just about to bring the show back from a commercial break. Despite Josh briefly prepping me on the ride over, my heart is racing, and my palms are sweating. How did I get here? What am I even doing? Who do I think I am? I’m nobody. At least Josh is someone—he’s made something of himself. I have no business being here right now.
Josh glances over at me. “You okay?” His voice is barely audible. Then he leans closer. “You look a little green.”
I swallow the knot in my tight throat and nod. My palms are already sweating, and he’s grinning at Jim with maddening ease. Josh watches me carefully, but he’s relaxed, drumming a lazy rhythm against his knee.Typical man.If I speak, I fear I may bail, and he’s cool as a cucumber. I don’t have time to say anything anyway because we’re on in three…two…one.
“Welcome back to the Lite Rock morning show. This is Jim Jones! I’m here with the one and only country music sensation, Josh Cote! Welcome, Josh.” I glance nervously at Josh who is grinning. If he’s nervous at all, he doesn’t show it. He’s probably used to this.
“And Josh brought with him his friend and fellow musician, Melanie Glick. Melanie is a South Jersey local, and she’s here because she and Josh are working on something very special. Isn’t that right? Welcome, Melanie.” My stomach twists as I adjust my headphones.
“Thanks for having us, Jim,” Josh says, leaning into his mic.
“Yes, thank you,” I echo, a blush creeping into my cheeks. “So happy to be here.”That couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Why don’t we start by you two telling us a bit about how you met,” Jim suggests.
I lock eyes with Josh and he chuckles. “Well, Jim, Melanie and I go way back. We’ve been friends since we were kids, but we were closest in high school.”
“Wow. High school. Okay Josh, I didn’t realize you were from around here,” Jim admits. Then he turns to me. “I bet you loved this guy in high school, Melanie.” His tone is teasing.
My neck tingles and my throat goes dry. Heat blooms across my chest like a sunburn. I can’t meet Josh’s eyes—not with Jim watching like he’s just thrown a grenade between us. “Uh…yeah. He’s hard not to love.” I swallow the lump in my throat.
“So, are you two an item?” Jim asks. The way he looks at me gives me the creeps.
