Page 95 of Just Another Silly Love Song

“It’s not the same. We girls like our things a certain way. This is not a question of whether she can change her husband’s habits, it’s a question of him respecting her wishes, because men will always be men.”

“Amen, sista’!” Kathleen said.

“From my point of view, I only see one possible solution other than kicking him out of the house, which is what Dr. Tough Love will probably suggest at a certain point. You need to have separate towel racks and you should have his and her towels. And I mean they really do need to say his and hers on each set.”

“Okay, okay.” I nodded. “Not a bad idea, but I think you need to take it a little further than that and have some insurance, if you will, since men don’t always read the instructions before trying something. Make sure the towels say his and hers plus make his set a masculine color like brown, gray, or navy blue. Kathleen, make sureyou have pink towels or some other girly color like . . .”

Lori smiled. “Coral, lavender, peach.”

“Exactly. That should kill the problem on the spot before you end up killing him because most men don’t usually have urges to touch a pink or lavender towel.”

“Great idea!” Kathleen said. “Thanks so much!”

I grinned. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you called us first and didn’t throw in the towel.” I disconnected the phone call and looked across at my lovely cohost.

Lori laughed. “Did you really just say that?”

“I did.”

“I was about to compliment you on your excellent advice until that cheesy line at the end.”

“What can I say? I love cheese. It ranks up there with chips and salsa. Okay, we’re going to take a quick break for the latest traffic and weather, but first, speaking of chips! Listen to this.” I started the recorded promo about the Dr. Tough Love Charity Poker Tournament, turned off the microphone, and took off my headphones.

Lori took off her headphones, set them down, and pointed to the speakers. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that poker tournament.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Well, you always turn down the volume when the promo is playing, so I have no clue which charity it benefits.”

“Technically, it benefits my nonprofit foundation, but from there the money is distributed to five local charities.”

She stared at me. “You have your own foundation?”

“Yeah. It’s just something I do for the community, my way of giving back. Every little bit helps, you know?” I held up a finger, then grabbed the small metal promo box on the counter. I flipped through the index cards until I found the one I was looking for about the charity poker tournament. I got up from my chair and walked over, handing the information card to Lori.

She read it and then looked up. “You’ve donated over a hundred thousand dollars?”

I nodded. “That’s in four years, but keep in mind I didn’t personally donate the money. It was the money I raised through the poker tournament.”

“Still—that’s amazing.” Lori was staring at me, like she usually did.

“Why do you seem so surprised?”

She laughed. “Hey, this is not the first time you’ve surprised me.” She waved the card in the air. “Butthisis something special. You’re a good man, Ben Baxter.”

I shrugged. “Thanks. I do what I can.”

“Can I get involved in some way?”

“The food and venue are donated, so all the money we raise for the charities comes from the entry fees from the poker players and the silent auction. It’s almost sold out again, so the only way for you to help at this point is if you grab one of the remaining seats for the tournament. A hundred dollars for a seat, tax-deductible of course, and that includes food and drinks.”

Lori handed the card back to me. “Count me in.”

I blinked. “Seriously?”

“What? You don’t think a woman can play poker?”

I walked back over to my chair and sat down, swiveling around to face her. “Of course women can play poker, I just didn’t knowyouplayed.”