Page 92 of 7 Days and 7 Nights

“Shhh.” Matt raised the volume another notch and heard Olivia say, “I appreciate all the calls and support, but you can stop sending condolence cards. Nobody died. I told Matt Ransom how I felt and he didn’t feel the same way. End of story.”

His sister shot him another look, but Matt was completely focused on Olivia.

“Granted,” she said, “most women don’t expose themselves quite so publicly. But to my knowledge no one’s ever actually died from embarrassment. I’m fine. Let’s get on with your problems and issues.”

Matt’s gaze strayed to the cell phone lying next to the computer, then moved back to the screen. Sandra stepped up beside him. “You’d have to be stupid to pass up a woman like Olivia Moore.”

“I can’t give her what she wants."

“Then give her what you can. She’s a professional. She should be able to help fix your sorry ass, and she’d probably do it for free.”

Sandra picked up the phone and gestured for Matt to unlock it. He did so, grudgingly, then eyed her warily as she started scrolling through his contacts.

When she found the number for WTLK, she hit the send button and handed it back to him. The door clicked shut behind her as Diane Lowe came on the line.

“Diane? It’s Matt.”

There was a silence and then, “Well what do you know, the schmuck calleth."

“Nice to talk with you, too, Di. Will you let Olivia know I’m on the line?”

“Probably, but not because I want to.”

“Just put me through during the next break.”

“Sorry, but as far as I’m concerned you can talk to Olivia on the air or not at all. You owe her at least that.”

“All right.” Matt took a deep breath and sat down in front of the computer screen, wondering what in the hell he was going to say to her.

A few seconds later they were on the air together.

“Hello, Livvy. How are you?”

At the sound of Matt’s voice, Olivia’s heart began to pound.

“Never better,” she lied, as calmly as she could. “Where are you calling from?”

“Chicago. All the flights to Never Land were full. And I got voted out of my minivan.”

She wiped sweaty palms on her pant leg and ordered herself to calm down. Apparently she wasn’t prepared for the reality of confronting Matt on the air.

“Glad you’ve been catching the show. Are you having a good trip?”

“Yeah, everything’s great.”

“That’s good,” she said.

They sounded like two acquaintances who’d bumped into each other at a cocktail party. If they didn’t watch out they’d be talking about...

“How’s the weather down there?” Matt asked.

“Fine. It’s a little dry, but there’s a fifty percent chance of rain over the weekend.”

There was a protracted silence.

“So. Are you calling about anything in particular?” she prompted.

“Yes.”