Page 42 of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
“Ready for tonight’s recording?” Lucy asked without looking up.
“As ready as I can be in this outfit,” Faith replied, tugging at her blazer. “I still think it’s overkill for radio, even if it is being filmed.”
“Trust me, the promotional materials will look much better with you looking professional instead of in your usual designer sweats that cost more than my car payment.” Lucy’s tone was sardonic, but affectionate. “Though I’ll give you credit—at least you try to fit in with us common folk.”
A soft chuckle from Faith’s companion made Lucy glance up—then stop entirely as she found herself staring into a pair of impossibly blue eyes.
“Lucy, this is Jake Murphy. Jake, my producer Lucy Potter.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jake said.
“Murphy-Madsen Construction,” Lucy said immediately. “George did beautiful work on my condo. I should have known…” She paused mid-sentence, her eyes widening as recognition dawned. “Oh my God, you’reWaiting in Dallas! I’d know that voice anywhere!”
Faith winced at the announcement, knowing she’d never hear the end of this.
“You’ve been holding out on me,” Lucy accused, then turned her full attention to Jake. “You know you’re practically a celebrity, right? Half our female audience tunes in just hoping you’ll call.”
“I’m flattered,” Jake said with the easy charm that made Faith’s heart skip.
“I’ve decided to like you,” Lucy announced after a moment’s consideration. “I’m generally a complete witch, so this is a rare honor.”
“I’ll treasure it always,” Jake replied solemnly.
“Come on,” Lucy said, linking her arm through his and steering him toward her office. “You can watch the recording through the glass wall. I’ll be in the control room, so you won’t be in my way.”
Jake looked back at Faith as Lucy dragged him away, catching her amused expression. For a moment, the careful distance between them evaporated, replaced by shared laughter at Lucy’s steamroller personality.
Then the moment passed, and Jake was left wondering if he’d imagined the warmth in her eyes.
As Faith disappeared into the broadcast booth, adjusting her headphones and settling into her professional persona for the cameras, Jake realized something that hit him like a physical blow: He wasn’t protecting her by keeping his distance. He was protecting himself.
Because loving Faith Hartwell—really loving her, the way she deserved—meant trusting that she was strong enough to handle his desire, his need, his sometimes overwhelming urge to hold her close and never let go.
The question was, did he have the courage to stop treating her like a victim and start loving her like the fierce, resilient woman she’d proven herself to be?
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
The studio lightsfelt hotter than usual as Faith settled into her chair for the promotional recording. Lucy had positioned three cameras around the booth, transforming Faith’s intimate radio sanctuary into something that felt uncomfortably exposed.
“Remember, we’re recording for the podcast launch promotion,” Lucy’s voice crackled through the headphones. “Best behavior, Dr. Hartwell. Corporate wants to see their investment looking professional and unflappable.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Faith said. She adjusted her blazer and forced a smile toward camera two. Through the glass wall, she could see Jake in Lucy’s office, his broad shoulders tense as he pretended to read a magazine. Their earlier conversation in the parking garage still hung between them like morning fog.
The familiar opening music began, and Faith slipped into her professional persona like armor. “Good evening, and welcome to a very special edition of Dr. Faith Hartwell’s Heart to Heart. Tonight we’re exploring the theme of trust—how we build it, how we rebuild it when it’s broken, and how we learn to trust ourselves again.”
The first few calls went smoothly—a woman struggling with forgiveness after her husband’s affair, a man afraid to commit after being burned by his ex-fiancée. Faith dispensed advice with her usual blend of compassion and tough love, hyperaware of the cameras recording her every expression.
Then Lucy’s voice cut through her earpiece, urgent and tight. “Faith, we’ve got a caller on line three. He specifically asked for you by name and mentioned the show’s theme. But something feels…off. I’m putting us into commercial break and recording this for the authorities.”
Faith’s stomach clenched as she saw Lucy’s hand hit the commercial button. TheON AIRlight went dark, but the recording equipment stayed active. Through the glass wall, Faith caught Jake’s eye—he was already moving closer to the window, his expression alert.
“Put him through,” Faith said quietly, forcing steadiness into her voice even as her hands began to tremble. She kept her tone professional despite knowing this wasn’t going out live. “This is Dr. Hartwell. How can I help you?”
“Hello, Faith.”
The voice slithered through her headphones like ice water in her veins. Not the singsong quality from before, but something darker, more controlled. More confident.
“What can I help you with tonight?” Faith managed to say, though she clenched her fists to keep her hands from trembling.
