Page 9 of Just Another Silly Love Song

My name was written on the cup.

I glanced outside, even though he was already gone.

How did he know my name?

Chapter Three

LORI

The radio station was where I felt the most peace, the most at home. It was my safe place. It was just me, the microphone, the music, and my callers every weeknight from seven to midnight. And my producer, Tessa, of course.

Tessa was in Studio B directly across from my on-air studio, watching me through the glass. She had already prescreened three callers to put on the air during the first thirty minutes of my show. I could see their info and what they wanted to talk about on the computer screen in front of me.

We were the only ones in the building, as was usual during the night show, and that’s the way I liked it. No distractions from the sales or promotions department, or the management since they all worked eight to five during the day.

I slid my headphones on my head and pressed the microphone button after the song ended. “Welcome to Love Songs and Dedications with Lori. I hope you’re having a wonderful evening, thanks for joining me. I’m looking forward to spending the next five hours with you. If you’re in need of relationship advice, some encouragement, or would like to dedicate a song to thatspecialsomeone, that’s what I’m here for. I’m all yours. Let’s kick off the show with an email I received today from Rebecca who wrote and said she’s finally getting married for the first time at the age of fifty. Rebecca proves that it’s never too late for love. Here’s ‘Because You Loved Me’ by Celine Dion. Thank you for the email and the request.”

I started the song, turned off the microphone, removed my headphones, and took a sip of the mocha I had gotten from Mr. BMW.

I set the mocha down and—

“Noooooo!”

There it went, my precious mocha, all over the counter and the floor.

Pulling open the studio door, I ran down the hallway toward the break room, yanking a long string of paper towels from the dispenser, then raced back to the studio.

I wiped and dabbed, frustrated. “Another bad thing to add to my day.”

It wasn’t Friday the thirteenth, so why was this happening?

I finished cleaning up and tossed the paper towels in the trash, ready to go back on the air like nothing ever happened. I needed to be positive and encouraging at all times. That was my job.

After the Celine Dion song ended, I turned on the microphone. “You’re listening to Love Songs and Dedications with Lori. Elizabeth is calling from Oceanside. What’s on your mind?” I pressed the phone button on the control board so she was live on the air.

“Hi . . .” Elizabeth’s energy sounded a little low. “Thanks for taking my call.”

“Of course. You seem a little troubled. What’s going on?”

“Well . . . I’m going through a bad breakup.”

I nodded. “Not that this will make you feel any better, but we’ve all been there. It’s not an easy time, that’s for sure, but this too shall pass. Do you think you should still be together?”

“No way. He’s a lying, cheating jerk, and I want to kill him.”

“Well, spending the rest of your life in jail for a few minutes of satisfaction is not worth it. I would recommend against homicide. Don’t worry, soon you’ll move past the angry feelings that are overwhelming you and move on to acceptance, followed by forgiveness.”

“I’ll never forgive him.”

I smiled, having heard that before many times. “You’ll need to let it go at some point so you can get on with your life and have closure. Don’t let the actions of someone else dictate the rest of your life. You have the power and control, Elizabeth. Don’t give it to him.”

She blew out an exasperated breath. “You’re right, you’re right. I’ll try.”

“You do that. I believe in you, Elizabeth. And soon you’ll have that hope that we all have inside of us, although sometimes it’s buried deep! The hope to move on to greener pastures. The hope for happiness and peace again. Hope that you’ll find a man who truly gets you and will treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”

“I honestly don’t know if he’s out there now, Lori. I don’t have the best of luck with men.”

“The man of your dreams is out there, all right. Be patient. Keep your chin up, your mind open, your thoughts positive, and your hopes alive. It’ll happen, and most likely when you least expect it.”