Just Another Silly Love Song - Rich Amooi Page 0,37
all about relationships. A full-time gig. I jumped on it and never looked back.”
I nodded, admiring what he had done. “That’s impressive. Most people who get into radio or television do it because it’s something they want to do and they pursue it as a career. For you, it practically fell into your lap.”
“It did, and I couldn’t be happier, even though I paid almost three-hundred thousand dollars for an education I’m not even using.”
“That’s not true because you never would have been interviewed the first time at your friend’s station if you weren’t an expert in the field. Besides, you use that education on every call, even if you’re as subtle as a ferret in a henhouse.”
Ben laughed. “Good point.”
The waiter brought two plates of tiramisu and placed them on the table in front of us. “Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” Ben and I said together.
I picked up my fork and cut a piece, putting it in my mouth. “Mmmm.”
Ben chewed and nodded. “Yeah . . .”
“Why didn’t you use Dr. Baxter on the air when you started?” I took another bite of my dessert.
“The usual. Ratings. Dr. Baxter wasn’t catchy, and the radio station thought it was a little on the generic side. Dr. Tough Love was more gimmicky and the radio station wanted a personality to build a morning show and advertising campaign around. When I started out doing those interviews they had sold me as someone who was giving tough love, because I was giving advice to a lot of people who didn’t want to hear it.” He forked another bite of tiramisu and put it in his mouth.
“And why did you think this would offend me, and that I would bite your head off?”
Ben set his fork down, thinking about it. “When I started out, I was basically doing what you were doing on your former night show. I would listen to what they were saying, offer them support and encouragement, without telling them exactly what they needed to do to fix the problem. I hated that.”
I smirked. “Well, I love it. And keep in mind that most of my listeners who called in weren’t looking for actual advice. They just wanted someone to listen, and I was happy to be there for them.”
“Yeah . . .” Ben nodded. “I guess I never saw it that way.”
“My grandma says she likes that you don’t hold back. She loves your style.”
“Wait a minute . . .” He leaned forward and stuck his elbows on the table, hands under his chin. “You and your grandmother were talking about me?” He arched an eyebrow.
I laughed. “Okay, maybe a little. She’s a big fan of yours, by the way.”
“I like her already.”
“Anyway, Grandma Joyce said there are those people who like positive and encouraging advice and others who prefer advice that’s like a slap to the face to wake them up, your style. She says neither approach is wrong. They’re just different and both work.”
Ben nodded. “Well, Grandma Joyce sounds like a very smart lady. Is she single?”
I glared at him. “Are you going there, too?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Too? What do you mean, too? Who went there before me?”
“Grandma Joyce. She thinks you’re hot.” I laughed.
Ben laughed a full, hearty laugh that caught me by surprise. “I’m flattered, but I was asking if she was single for my Grandpa Wayne.”
“Seriously?”
“Absolutely. He says all the women at his retirement home are fuddy-duddies. He’s looking for a woman who’s a little bit sassy, as he likes to say.”
I laughed. “What a coincidence. My grandma has got sass for days.”
Ben shrugged. “Okay, this sounds like a possibility then.”
“Let me get this straight—you want to play matchmaker with our grandparents?”
“Why not? You never know.”
“Grandma was thinking about doing online dating, but I don’t want anybody taking advantage of her. Is your grandfather like you?”
Ben hesitated. “Is that a trick question?”
I laughed. “Never mind.”
We finished our desserts and Ben paid the bill, saving the receipt to give to Kyle, so he could get reimbursed.
He held the front door open for me to leave. “After you.”
“Thanks.” I smiled and stepped by Ben onto the sidewalk, spinning around to wait for him.
Just then, a gust of wind caught the front door as Ben held onto the handle, sending him flying in my direction.
“Whoa!” He reached out his arms after colliding with me, wrapping them around my shoulders to keep us both from falling to the ground.