“Sounds good,” Lori said.
Kaitlyn walked away, checking the photo on her phone and most likely already sending it out into the world for thousands to see.
I playfully pushed Dan on the shoulder with my index finger. “Did I spot a love connection happening there? Very, very interesting.”
Dan waved off my comment. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I only see one love connection at the moment and I’m staring right at it.” He laughed and gestured to us.
Lori’s face flushed and I had lost all ability to speak.
How was I supposed to respond to that?
Luckily, I didn’t have to.
Dan faced the group of people that was getting larger by the minute. “Who wants a selfie with Dr. Tough Love and Lori Martin?”
Every hand went up.
“Okay then—form a single file line, please!” He gestured to the small raffle box on the table. “And after you take a picture with them, make sure you fill out an entry form hereand stick it in the box for your chance to win dinner for two at the Cheesecake Factory.”
We ended up taking selfies and chatting with listeners for two hours, pausing a few times to call the radio station to go live on the air.
The last two people in line were Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Wayne.
Surprisingly, they were holding hands.
Lori saw it too but didn’t say anything.
She hugged Grandma Joyce and Grandpa Wayne. “I didn’t even know you were back there in line. How come you just didn’t come up to the front? You’re family.”
“And risk the possibility of a riot with your rabid fans?” Grandma Joyce said. “No way.”
I laughed and hugged them both. “Glad you could make it before we left. We’re just wrapping up things.”
“Sorry we’re late,” Grandpa Wayne said. “We had a late breakfast at Richard Walker’s Pancake House and got here as soon as we could.” He pointed to Lori. “And you deserve an extra hug for kicking my grandson’s butt at the poker tournament.” Grandpa Wayne stretched out his arms and hugged Lori again. “It’s good to keep us men in line every once in a while.”
“You mean all the time, right?” Grandma Joyce asked.
Grandpa Wayne chuckled and grabbed her hand again, squeezing it. “Yeah, you may be right.”
I couldn’t hold back any longer and had to say something, pointing to their handholding. “What’s going on between the two of you? You seem . . . closer.”
“Oh, this?” Grandma Joyce held up their interlocked hands. “We’re holding hands. That’s what couples do.”
I squished my eyebrows together. “You two are a couple? Just like that?”
“Just like that.” Grandpa Wayne smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “Nobody has the guarantee of tomorrow. Not even someone younger like you. When you see something you like, you’d be foolish not to start enjoying it immediately. I don’t know what you’re waiting for.”
I stared at the two of them.
“Oh, speaking of that, Joyce and I are going away for a few days.”
“What?” Lori and I said at the same time.
Grandma Joyce beamed with excitement. “Can you believe I finally found someone to go with me to Palm Springs for that meditation retreat?”
Grandpa Wayne held up his hand. “That would be me!”
I cocked my head to the side, suspicious. “When was the last timeyoumeditated?”
