Just Another Silly Love Song - Rich Amooi Page 0,15

a music station.

Quieter.

Everyone looked serious, monitoring what was on one of the screens, typing on the computer, or talking on the phone.

Debbie smiled proudly, gesturing around. “We’ve got news, sports, and traffic anchors over there. Then there are the writers, editors, production assistants, and producers.” She pointed to the three offices on the other side. “And the managers over there.” She smiled. “Impressive, huh?”

I nodded. “Absolutely.” I pointed to a row of cubicles with people wearing headphones. “What are they doing over there?”

“Monitoring the police scanner, feeds from the national network, other stations, helicopter and airplane feeds for fires and police chases. Anything newsworthy.”

She pointed to the other end of the newsroom. “Just right through there to Kyle’s office. Follow me.” We got to Kyle’s office and Debbie peeked her head inside. “Kyle, Lori Martin is here.”

A man who looked like a college freshman turned around and waved me in. “Come on in, Lori.” I stepped inside his office and he held out his hand. “I’m Kyle. Thanks for coming down on such short notice.”

“My pleasure.”

Kyle gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Grab a seat.”

“Thank you.” I sat down and glanced around his office at the awards on the walls. It was very impressive for someone who was so young.

Kyle typed something on his laptop and then slapped it shut. “Can you start tomorrow?”

I laughed. “You’re joking, right?”

“Not at all.”

I thought about it, finding it odd that he wasn’t going to interview me. “You don’t have any questions for me or want to interview me?”

Kyle thought about it. “No, not really. I just wanted to meet you in person—it’s a formality, more than anything. And of course you’ll need to fill out some paperwork for Human Resources. But I already know everything I need to know about you, especially that you’ve been number one in your time slot since you started almost ten years ago.”

“And that my boyfriend broke up with me live on the air.”

He held up his index finger. “That wouldn’t have gotten you fired if you were working here.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Not even if a caller said something bad about one of your top advertisers?”

What was I doing?

Trying to talk him out of hiring me?

I guess I was just surprised that he wanted to hire me on the spot, without an interview.

Kyle shook his head. “As long as it wasn’t coming out of your mouth, you would’ve been fine and I would’ve fixed it. You wouldn’t believe some of the things that come out of Dr. Tough Love’s mouth, but it’s entertainment. His listeners eat it up.”

I studied Kyle for a moment. “Then why are you letting him go?”

He creased his eyebrows. “Who? Dr. Tough Love?”

I nodded.

Kyle stared at me. “He’s not going anywhere. Who told you he was leaving?”

“Well . . . I just assumed he was gone since you had a morning show opening.”

“Well, there is an opening, but as his cohost.”

I froze. “What?”

“Speak of the devil . . .” Kyle gestured toward the door behind me. “Ben Baxter, meet Lori Martin, your new cohost.”

I twisted around so fast I was surprised I didn’t get a case of vertigo.

Ben was frozen in the doorway, staring at me. “Please tell me this is a joke.”

I crossed my arms. “I was just about to say the exact same thing.”

Chapter Five

BEN

A nightmare was unfolding right before my eyes. It was bad enough the radio station thought I needed a sidekick to get the ratings back up, but the last person in the world I would’ve chosen was the one sitting in front of me.

Lori Martin.

The queen of silly love songs.

What were the chances that she was the same woman I had bought a mocha for? I would have poured a bucket of ice water over anyone’s head if they had told me it was destiny.

It was a nightmare.

I snapped out of my temporary coma and looked her square in the eyes. “No offense, but this isn’t happening.”

Lori stood up and took a step toward me, confident, crossing her arms. “No offense, but I agree with you. Not happening. And don’t think that I didn’t hear you call me a dog on the radio this morning.”

“I’m flattered you listen to my show, but I didn’t call you a dog.”

“First of all, it’s my grandmother who listens to you, certainly not me. I walked into the room and unfortunately was subjected to the Dr. Testosterone show that was oozing out of her speakers. And