Into the Fire - Leslie Kelly [70]
When Lacey arrived at the office building that housed the station, she was directed to a studio control room. She heard Nate's laughter before she entered, plus a woman's low, sultry voice she recognized from listening to "Night Whispers." For the first time, Lacey felt a little nervous. She was about to meet a member of Nate's family. Not only that, she was coming face to face with the woman who'd inspired her to be utterly outrageous in Nate's living room a few weeks before.
"Lacey," Nate said as he spotted her through the open doorway. Taking a deep breath, Lacey allowed him to lead her into the room.
A half hour later, when they were about to go into the studio to go live on the air, Lacey couldn't believe she'd ever worried. Nate's sister was charming—friendly, warm, with wit to spare. She'd delighted in telling Lacey about some of Nate's childhood troubles, and Lacey had loved every word.
"Okay, it's time to go in," Kelsey said as her producer came into the control booth and introduced himself. "You're clear on what'll happen, right? The topic tonight is the battle of the sexes, and my interview with you two will take up the entire first half hour. Then we hook up with J.T. for a few minutes."
Lacey nodded and followed Kelsey into the studio, taking one of the empty seats. Putting on a set of headphones, she scooted her rolling chair close to one of the extra microphones and watched as Nate did the same.
When Kelsey leaned into the mike and began to speak, Lacey was amazed at the change. The warm kid sister she'd met thirty minutes before had been replaced by the smooth-talking temptress who'd seduced the city.
"Good evening, Baltimore , this is Lady Love. Tonight we're discussing the battle of the sexes. I have as my special guests two well-known columnists from right here in the Charm City . Lacey Clark and Nate Logan have been spicing up the pages of two of our favorite magazines for months. And now they're here to spice up 'Night Whispers.'" She laughed across the microphone and glanced toward Lacey and Nate. "A month ago, I might have had to wear flak gear in here. But let's just say things appear a little friendlier now between our favorite dueling duo."
Lacey and Nate exchanged amused glances.
The interview sped by quickly. As expected, Nate was his flirtatious, charming self. Now that she knew him so well, Lacey recognized that he was performing. He played a role, much as when he wrote some obnoxious comment in his column. His readers expected it. The radio audience expected the same.
While she would have loved for him to proclaim his complete change in attitude—then go on and profess his undying love for her—she knew he wouldn't. Whether Nate loved her or not, he was still, first and foremost, a journalist. J.T. and Men's World expected the sexy, freewheeling playboy, and that's what he gave them. Period. In print and on the radio. To come across like a mushy, sappy romantic would go against everything he'd ever written for Men's World. She understood why he wouldn't. And, to be honest, she had a great time giving back as good as she got during their on-air debate.
"When we come back on the air, we're going to be joined by publisher J.T. Birmingham, who's going to give us his perspective on Nate and Lacey's assignment," Kelsey said about a half hour into the show. "With his romantic track record, I bet he'll have something interesting to add to our conversation."
Lacey couldn't help it. She immediately tensed up at the thought of J.T. getting on the radio and talking about his relationships, especially certain relationships.
During the commercial break, Kelsey complimented them on the interview, saying they were almost finished. Lacey looked at the clock, noting it was after ten-thirty. Yes, almost done. A few more minutes and they'd be out of here. The rest of the night could commence. She could hardly wait.
Nate caught her eye and gave her a definitely