to get you one vanilla, one chocolate, and one lemon.”
“Thank you, that was kind of you, but one would have been plenty.”
“Nah. You only live once. Okay, you’ll have to enjoy those later because Kyle is waiting.”
I nodded. “It will be interesting to hear what he has to say about the show.”
“Let’s go find out.”
We walked into Kyle’s office toward our usual spot in the two chairs in front of his desk.
He looked up from his computer. “Hey, guys. Have a seat and give me just one moment. I just got the Weeklies and I’m opening them up as we speak.”
I glanced over at Ben, my heart rate picking up speed.
Kyle had told us the show was amazing the last couple of days, and we still didn’t know what he thought of this morning’s show or if the ratings would mirror Kyle’s predictions.
For everyone in the corporate office—and in radio—it was all about the numbers.
Nothing was more important than ratings.
I held my breath as he scrolled through them, his mouth falling open. “Wow.”
“Wow good or wow bad?” Ben asked.
Kyle flipped his computer around for us to see. “I’ll let you see for yourself and come to your own conclusion.”
Ben and I leaned in together, both analyzing the numbers, the most important ones being women twenty-five to fifty-four.
Ben and I leaned back in our chairs and glanced at each other, both of us speechless.
“Can that be a mistake?” I finally said.
Kyle shook his head. “The numbers don’t lie. This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen! The listeners are responding more than I could’ve ever imagined.” His phone rang and he answered it. “This is Kyle.” He nodded. “Yeah, yeah. Just saw them.” He nodded again. “They’re here with me now. I’ll tell them and call you back when we’re done.” He hung up and grinned, locking his hands together behind his head and leaning back in his chair. “Are you both ready for the big time?”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“It means Steve gave me a clearance to give you both a raise, effective immediately, although there will be some things expected of you. Lori, you still have your one-month contract. Your raise will be prorated starting tomorrow. Then at the end of the month we are prepared to offer you a one-year contract, to coincide with Ben’s contract. And because we do everything here above the boards and fair, your salaries will be equal, which means another raise.”
Ben glanced over at me. “Nice work, partner.”
I smiled. “You sound like a cowboy when you say that.”
It was amazing the show was being received so well, so fast. There were rumors at the other radio station about how much Ben got paid. It was supposedly miles apart from the salary I was getting for doing the night show.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I had to ask. “If you don’t mind, just to know, how much are we talking here?”
Kyle picked up the pen from his desk and scribbled something on his notepad. He tore the paper from the pad and stood, leaning across his desk to hand it to me.
I grabbed the piece of paper and casually looked down, like it was no big deal.
I jerked my head back and almost fell out of my chair.
The guys laughed together.
I looked at Ben, then Kyle. “Seriously?”
Kyle nodded. “Of course.”
I glanced over to Ben. “You make this every month?”
He grinned. “Welcome to the club.”
Kyle sat back down and pulled his laptop in closer. “Of course, that doesn’t include your personal appearance talent fees. Oh, by the way, has anyone told you about our anniversary party tomorrow night?”
I shrugged. “No.”
“The radio station is twenty years old and we’re celebrating tomorrow night. I know you just came on board, but you need to come. It will also be a great opportunity for us to get some promo pictures of the two of you together. Some of our biggest clients will be there as well.”
“I’d love to go. Where will you be having the party?”
“On the Star of India.”
“Oh, wow! Count me in.”
The Star of India is the world’s oldest active sailing ship, located at the San Diego Maritime Museum and I had been wanting to board it for years. I was finally going to get my chance and I was so excited.
“Talk with Debbie at the front desk on your way out,” Kyle said. “She can give you all the info and a parking voucher for the valet. And also talk with Dan,