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“Okay, that’s fine. You got a question for Ali today?”
“Uh, no, not really. I just wanted to talk to her and tell her that I’m a huge fan.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate that,” I say into the microphone.
“Hi, Ali. It’s so nice to be talking to you,” the caller says, his voice getting softer when he speaks to me, and I look up at Sam, who smirks at me.
“You, too.”
“Seems someone’s got a little crush on Ali. Eh, caller?” Sam asks.
“No, I just wanted to tell her I’m looking forward to reading the new column,” he says, and you can hear how uncomfortable he is.
“Thank you so much. I hope you’re going to like it.”
“Oh, I’m sure that I will. Everything you write is so good, and you’re so talented.”
“Well, thank you for saying that.”
“Of course. You should hear how great you are everyday and so beautiful, too. I love that picture of you they put next to your articles. I’ve read everything you’ve ever written.”
“Thank you,” I mumble, really not liking the icky feeling that’s washing over me right now.
“Anytime, Gorgeous. I’m just a huge fan, and I can’t believe I’m actually talking to you right now.”
I look over to Sam, desperate for him to do something and he nods, leaning in toward the mic.
“We’ve got to take a break, folks, but we’ll be back with Ali in a few.”
Sam starts up the next song and pulls his headphones off at the same time that I do. I toss them on the counter in front of me and sigh. He looks over at me and shakes his head.
“Man, that was…” Sam starts to say, his voice trailing off when he can’t find the right word.
“Uncomfortable?” I ask, and he laughs.
“Yeah, that’s one way to describe it.” He stands from his chair and stretches. “Let’s go grab a soda. We’ve got a little time before we go on again.”
We step out of the booth, and Mercedes squeals as she rushes over to me. “My god, Ali. That was great.”
“Yeah, except for that last call.”
She shrugs. “Brush it off, buttercup. You’ve got another forty-five minutes of this to go.”
I nod and follow Sam to the break room where he grabs a soda for himself before grabbing another one for me. We walk back to the sound booth and settle back into our seats just as time is running out. I slip my headphones on, and Sam points to me.
“That was I Can’t Go On Without You by Kaleo, and I’m back with Alison James, taking your calls. What’s your name, caller?” Sam asks into the microphone.
“Karen.”
“Hi, Karen,” I say.
“You got a question for Ali today?” Sam asks, leaning back in his chair as he pulls the microphone closer.
“Yes. So, recently, my husband has been acting strange. He comes home late, and he’s not interested in sex anymore. Do you think he’s cheating on me?”
“That’s a tough one, Karen. You say he’s been working late; have you asked him about what’s going on at work?”
“Well, no.”
