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“Good. No need to be nervous. You ever done promo like this before?”

I laugh and shake my head. Before this, I worked at a small paper. I’ve never been interviewed like this in my life. “No.”

He grins and nods, taking a sip of the soda next to him. “Yeah, most people haven’t.”

“How did you get started?”

“Did it in college and never stopped doing it, I guess. They say I have a face for radio.”

Thank god, he laughs because I can’t help but join in with him. He looks over at something and sits up in his chair again.

“Here we go,” he says as he starts counting down on his fingers again, and I slip my headphones on.

“And we’re back with Alison James. She’s gonna be dishing out advice for you all so let’s take our first caller. Caller one, you’re on the air. What’s your name?”

“Hannah.” The timid voice comes over the headphones, and I smile.

“Hi, Hannah.”

Sam smiles at me. “Thanks for calling, Hannah. You got a question for Ali?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Let’s hear it,” I prompt, and even through the headphones, I can hear her take a deep breath.

“So, there is this guy that I’ve had a crush on forever, and sometimes he seems like he’s into me, too, and then other times it’s like I don’t exist. When things are good, they are so good but I have no idea what he really wants from me. What should I do?”

“Well, Hannah, this one is kind of easy, and let me start off by saying that boys are stupid, sometimes. No offense, Sam.”

He holds his hands up, grinning. “I’m right there with ‘ya. We’re idiots, Hannah.”

She giggles, and I can feel some of her tension melt away.

“The real question you need to consider, Hannah, is if you can live with regret. You basically have two options. You can ignore this and spend the rest of your life wondering what would have happened if you’d had the balls to act or you can make the leap and hope it works out.”

“But… what if he doesn’t like me?”

“Tell me something, Hannah. Why would you want to spend your life pining after a guy who doesn’t realize what a babe you are?”

She giggles again, and I smile as I look out at Mercedes, who is practically bouncing in her seat.

“Well, when you put it that way,” Hannah says and laughs again.

“Listen, either way, it’s good for you. Either you get the guy you like or you can stop wasting your time wondering if there is anything between you. And if he doesn’t want you, there are plenty of other guys who will.”

“It’s just that he’s been a part of my life for so long. We’ve been friends since we were kids. I don’t want to lose him.”

“Whoever said you had to cut him out of your life completely? You can let go of this crush without letting go of him. But, Hannah, you deserve to be happy, and it sounds like you’re kind of miserable right now.”

“Well, yeah. He’s got this on again off again thing with someone but he always comes to me when he needs anything.”

“Ouch,” Sam cuts in, “I hate to say it but it sounds like you’ve been friend zoned hard, Hannah.”

“I agree. But I’m curious why you would want a relationship with a guy who clearly doesn’t appreciate you. I’m a big believer in fate, Hannah, and I think if you let this guy go and just be his friend, you’re going to meet someone who will really sweep you off your feet.”

“Damn. Mic drop,” Sam calls out into the room, and both Hannah and I laugh. “Thanks so much for your call, Hannah. Let’s take one more before we go to break. You’re on the air, caller. Who am I talking to?”

“I’d rather not say my name,” a deep voice says, and Sam looks to me for confirmation. I shrug.