Wayne said. “I didn’t think you would know it was me. I learned the trick from her.”
I cocked my head to the side. “You disguised your voice? But you sound exactly like you.”
“Hmm. That’s odd. What about now? Do I sound different?”
I chuckled. “Still the same, Grandpa.”
“I guess Hollywood won’t be calling me anytime soon.”
“Let’s talk about the proposal,” Lori said. “My grandma likes big gestures, so why wait until next month to propose? You can do it right now on the radio since she’s listening, and you’ve basically said you’re going to do it.”
No! Bad idea!
“Great idea!” Grandpa Wayne said. “How do we get her on the radio with me?”
“We can take care of that for you right now!” Lori said, smiling at me.
I cleared my throat, thinking of a way to stop this from happening. “Now? There’s no reason to rush into this.”
Grandpa Wayne chuckled. “I’m not getting any younger, you know. Let’s do it.”
“Wonderful!” Lori jumped up and down in her seat. “I’ll get my grandma on the phone. Hang on.” She grabbed the extension in the studio next to her and dialed her grandma’s number.
“Yeah,” I said. “Wonderful.”
I’m sure my enthusiasm ranked right around zero on the enthusiasm meter, but I had my proposal all planned out. The ring was right next to me inside my headphone case. I had flowers in the cupboard below. Debbie, the receptionist, was hiding in Jim’s studio across from us, ready to take a video of the moment.
How could I do it now when Grandpa Wayne was going to?
I didn’t want to steal his thunder.
“Hey,” Lori said. “You’ve got dead air.”
I looked up and grinned. “I was hypnotized by your beauty.”
She shook her head. “Nice try. You’re trying to get another free mocha.” She held up her finger and stepped away from her microphone with the phone. It looked like she may have gotten ahold of Joyce, but I would find out soon enough.
“While Lori gets Joyce on the line, do you know what you want to say to her?” I asked.
“I don’t need to think too much about that,” Grandpa Wayne said. “I’ve watched plenty of Hallmark movies and know I need to speak from the heart.”
I chuckled. “Good to know.”
Lori waved to me and pointed to the control board. “Okay, we have my grandma Joyce on line six.”
“Let’s get to it then.” I pressed line six on the control board. “Welcome, Joyce! You’re on the air. Have you been listening to the show?”
“Of course, I’ve been listening,” she said. “I haven’t missed a show in ages. Let’s get down to business. Wayne, are you there? I hear you have something important to ask me that rhymes with bedding.”
“I do,” Grandpa Wayne said. “Very important. Just pretend you don’t know I’m going to propose to you right now.”
“I can do that. I’m the great pretender.”
“Okay then, here we go. Joyce, my love—”
“I do! I do! I do!” Joyce yelled.
I burst with laughter. “You sound like an ABBA song.”
Lori covered her face with her hands and laughed. “Grandma! Give the man a chance to say what he wanted to say. He didn’t even ask you yet! And the I do part will happen at the actual wedding ceremony. You need to answer yes to his proposal, but only after he finishes the entire question. It’s not rocket science, Grandma.”
“Fine, fine,” Joyce said. “I’m a little excited, as you can tell. And I’m not getting any younger, either.”
I chuckled. “Okay, Grandpa Wayne, please continue from the top.”
“You bet,” he said. “Here we go again. Take two . . . Joyce, my love, call me crazy, but I’m crazy for you. Call me a fool, but I’m a fool for you. You’re right, we’re not getting any younger, but we’re young at heart and that’s what counts. And I was hoping you would do me the great honor of being my wife. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Joyce screamed. “I’m getting married!”
“All right!” I pumped my fist in the air. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Me, too.” Lori wiped her eyes.
“Yay for me!” Joyce said. “Hey, since we’re talking about weddings, what about the two of you?”
“What about us?” I said.
“When are you going to tie the knot? You both love each other. What are you waiting for? There’s no time like the present.”
I blinked and glanced over at Lori.
She was already looking back at me.
We were at a loss for words.
“Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed,” Grandma Joyce continued. “My future husband once said that when you see something you like you’d be foolish not to start enjoying it immediately. There’s still time on your show this morning for another proposal, isn’t there?”
I glanced up at the clock and something suddenly shifted inside of me.
Joyce was right.
Why wait?
“Yes.” I glanced over at Lori. “There’s still plenty of time.”
Lori crossed her arms. “You’re bluffing.”
I chuckled. “Come on, you witnessed firsthand that I happen to be the worst bluffer in the world.” I grabbed my headphone case and pulled the velvet ring box from inside, taking a step toward her.
Lori gasped. “Oh, my . . .” She put her hand on her chest. “It’s really happening.”
“It is.” I slipped my headphones off, set them on the counter, and got down on one knee in front of her.
“Lori Martin, you—”
“Yes!” she screamed.
Grandma Joyce laughed hysterically. “Rocket science, huh? It’s not as easy as it seems, is it? Okay, from the top, once again!”
I grinned, but my gaze never left hers. “Lori Martin, you rock my world. You’re my partner at work, and now I want you to be my partner in life. My amazing wife. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to know you and I will be together forever. Lovely Lori, will you marry me?”
“Yes!” She ran toward me and jumped in my arms, kissing me before I even had a chance to put the ring on her finger or kiss her first.
And wow, did she kiss me good.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Joyce said. “I’m so happy for us all!”
“Congratulations!” Grandpa Wayne said.
Lori finally pulled away from the kiss and touched her lips. “Sorry, I know you probably wanted to kiss me.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “No. I wouldn’t change a thing. You’re perfect. And looks like we’re going to have another kiss video that will go viral.” I pointed to Debbie, who was recording the video through the glass from the other studio.
I slid the ring on her finger and pulled the flowers out of the cupboard, handing them to her.
Lori sniffled, hugging the flowers. “Dr. Tough Love, you’re officially a romantic.” She wiped a few happy tears off her face.
“Thank you for making me the happiest man ever.” I pointed to the microphones. “I guess we should get back to work.”
“Hey, I have an idea!” Joyce said. “Let’s have a double wedding!”
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Grandpa Wayne said.
I glanced across at Lori, wondering how she would react to that.
She shrugged. “I’m completely fine with that as long as I get to have a song from Celine Dion for our first dance.”
I shook my finger at her. “No, no, no, no, no. That is not going to happen.”
“Remember when you told one of our listeners that men should put the needs of women first?”
“I don’t remember that at all,” I lied.
“Nice try! I want Celine Dion for our first dance.”
I frowned. “Please, no. Anyone but her.”
Lori studied me for a moment and nodded. “Okay, okay. No Celine Dion.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Really?”
She nodded. “Really. I’ll pick someone else then. No big deal.”
“Yes!” I pumped my fist in the air. “Thank you. That’s why I love you. I can’t wait to marry you.”
Lori adjusted the microphone. “You said anyone but her, though.”
I nodded emphatically. “Anyone. Absolutely.”
“Okay, then . . .” Lori smirked. “I choose Bette Midler.”
I laughed and shook my head. “Well played.”
“Thanks. I had to get you back for your trick at the poker tournament.”
Of course, I was making a big deal out of nothing.
It was just another silly love song.
And in the end what mattered most was, I got the girl.