Page 34 of Just Another Silly Love Song

Kyle said that drama sells, and I knew that better than anyone.

That was my shtick, and listeners expected it.

The difference was, I needed to kick it up a notch.

I needed to turn up the heat on Lori.

Chapter Eight

LORI

“I love Dr. Tough Love!” Grandma Joyce stood in front of The Spot, a restaurant located within walking distance of her retirement community in La Jolla. “That was the most fun I’ve had listening to the radio in such a long time. What a team you two make.”

I hugged her and then pulled away, shaking my head. “Don’t you start already. Obviously, your judgment is off kilter, since that man can do no wrong in your eyes. Plus, you have the hots for him, which is quite disturbing.”

Grandma Joyce smiled as we walked into the restaurant and checked in with the hostess. “My discernment is quite fine, thank you very much. You’re the one who’s out of whack here.”

“How so?”

“You refuse to admit that Dr. Hot Stuff is spunky and hunky, but then you have no problem showing your support for octogenarian exhibitionists who are swingers. By the way, I’m pretty sure I’m living in the wrong community.”

I laughed. “You’re not moving again.” I gestured to the hostess, who waved us over. “Our table is ready.”

We followed the hostess to our table, which was by the open front window that overlooked the sidewalk and Prospect Street, the main drag in La Jolla.

Twenty minutes later, we were eating as Grandma Joyce continued to gush over the show. “Now, can you see how talented Dr. Tough Love is?”

“No, and you can call him Ben, since his on-air name is ridiculous. Really, I don’t see anything special about that man. I see an overbearing, arrogant guy who’s looking for attention.”

Grandma Joyce forked some of the jambalaya from the huge bowl in front of her and held it in the air. “Isn’t that the goal of being on the radio? You always told me that your radio show was number one in the ratings, which means you were getting lots of attention. I don’t see the difference.” She stuck the food in her mouth, chewing, watching me, her eyebrow arching as if to saygotcha.

I shook my head. “That’s completely different, because he’s full of himself and talks too much.”

“It’s a talk show, dear. That’s what you’re supposed to be doing.”

I pointed at her with one of my french fries. “Whose side are you on?”

“His. This is so good.” Grandma Joyce took another bite of her jambalaya. “Speaking of tasty, Ben’s voice is deep and smooth and hypnotizing. He’s like a snake charmer and I’m a cobra.”

I smirked. “More like a cougar.”

“Okay, I admit that Ben may be a little young for me, but men my age are lacking theoomphthat makes life exciting. I think I’ll try online dating. I don’t want to be alone the last twenty or thirty years of my life.”

I smiled. “In thirty years, you’ll be a hundred and ten. Don’t you think you’ll be slowing down a little by then?”

“Not if I can help it. Life is like a ripe peach, and I want to suck every last drop of juice out of it before I kiss it goodbye.”

These are some of the things I loved most about my grandma: her optimism, and her attitude of always embracing life.

“I’m looking for a man with pizazz,” she continued. “Someone who doesn’t use age as a reason for not enjoying the years we have left. And I especially would like a man with a sexy voice.”

“I know where you’re going with this.”

“Can you at least admit that Ben’s voice is sexy?”

“No. The man doesn’t even take breaths when he speaks. He’s like one of those turtles who breathes out of his butt.”

Grandma Joyce laughed. “I know it will be just a matter of time before you’ll start singing his praises. Say what you want against that man, but his advice is just as good as yours, and you’re going to have a hit show on your hands very quickly. You and Ben have chemistry.”