Page 63 of Just Another Silly Love Song

I sighed. “Define pleasantly.”

Grandma Joyce laughed. “See that right there? That is the family spunk. We’ve all got it. I’m sure you noticed that when you two went on your date yesterday.”

“It wasn’t a date,” Ben and I said at the same time.

“Why not? You two have a lot in common, plus you’re both gorgeous. Hey, Dr. Tough Love, did you know that my adorable granddaughter is single?”

“Grandma, please!”

“Yes, I think half the world knows,” Ben joked.

I crossed my arms. “Not funny.”

“Well, you’re single and she’s single,” Grandma Joyce said. “I think we can fix that in a jiffy, if you know what I mean.”

I adjusted the microphone. “Grandma, this isn’tThe Bacheloror a place for chit-chat and gossip. We’re trying to help people with real relationship problems.”

“Okay then—I’ve got a problem.”

“Oh yeah?” Ben said.

I waved my finger at him to not take the bait from Grandma Joyce, but he ignored me.

“Tell us what’s going on, Joyce. How can we be of assistance?”

“Well, there’s a certain female member of my family whose name rhymes withstory and her love life is really gory.”

I shook my head. “Another person who likes to rhyme.”

“Anyway, she doesn’t know how to pick men well.”

“I give you permission to hang up on my grandma.”

“Tell me more about this person, Joyce.” Ben ignored me and grinned. “She sounds familiar. Is she stubborn?”

“Ha! Very stubborn. She needs someone like you around to keep her in line when her confidence is tipping the scales past her reality.”

“Keep going.”

“Gladly! I have the most wonderful granddaughter in the world, with some amazing qualities, but she picks tomatoes better than she picks her men. I think she deserves someone special. Andyouare one-heck-of-a special person, too. Just sayin’.”

“Well, thank you very much,” Ben said.

“Okay!” I said. “Thanks for calling, Grandma.”

“I saw the photo of you two in La Jolla,” Grandma Joyce said, ignoring me. “The one you posted on Instagram? So lovely.”

It was no use. I would just need to let her get this out of her system, but I would surely give her a piece of my mind when I saw her tomorrow.

“I like your style because you tell it like it is and don’t pull any punches. Can you watch over her for me?”

Ben winked at me. “Of course.”

“And if you want a good laugh, I can share some butt-naked photos of her as an infant.”

I covered my face with my hands. “Grandma, please.”

“Fine. I’ll leave you two to your show. Can you play a song for me and dedicate it?”