First-Time Caller

Aiden is out of sorts as he confronts the reality that he cannot date Lucie himself. While Lucie is there to record with him, he demands to see the station cell phone. Lucie refuses, insisting she no longer uses it. Aiden is suspicious and wrestles it away from her. He is furious to discover that some messages are hostile. When Maggie intervenes, irate at the delay in the broadcast, Aiden demands that she look at the messages. Aiden realizes the whole problem relates to sexism, remarking, “I’ve said plenty of inflammatory things live on air and no one has threatened to shut my mouth for me” (232). Maggie promises to address the issue and apologizes to Lucie.

Lucie hands Aiden chocolate mints from her candy stash, aware he is still angry. She explains that sexism is a common problem in her life and has Aiden resume the broadcast, but he remains morose. He imagines that Lucie will soon leave, returning his professional life to its formerly depressing state. Lucie takes a call when Aiden is distracted, as he does his best to assure her all is well—though he privately exempts “the feelings [he’s] not supposed to be feeling and the dreams [he’s] not supposed to be dreaming” (234). A man named Oliver calls and makes Lucie laugh. Lucie teasingly points out that Aiden is not particularly good at comedy. Aiden resolves to set up a date between them.

During the broadcast, Aiden unsuccessfully attempts to tell Lucie a knock-knock joke.

Lucie talks to Patty on the phone while searching for parking, preparing for her date but thinking of Aiden. Lucie arrives at the restaurant and is unexpectedly stunned by Oliver’s good looks. They make pleasant conversation, and Lucie starts to relax. However, she remains preoccupied with thoughts of Aiden, who is doing the radio show without her.

Lucie eventually realizes she has been ignoring a question that Oliver asked. He gently points out that she clearly has feelings for someone else, and when she tries to deny it, he points out how frequently she has mentioned Aiden. Oliver tells her not to be embarrassed, as their evening has proven to him that he, too, is in love with someone else. He patiently explains that the entire city has noticed her rapport with Aiden, and Lucie realizes that Maggie and the others also know. Oliver assures her Aiden is just as drawn to her, pointing out his obvious jealousy about their date. Oliver tells Lucie that she is charming and brilliant and that he hoped knowing her would prove to him he could find romance without confessing his feelings for his brother’s former girlfriend. Lucie thanks Oliver for their unconventional evening.

During the broadcast, Jackson urges Aiden to sound more optimistic as he discusses Lucie’s date.

Aiden stands in the station parking lot, attempting to avoid Lucie and all his emotions about her. Maggie comes to find him and suggests he go inside to start the show. In the booth, Aiden’s phone buzzes, and Lucie, clearly jealous, assumes it is someone he’s dating. Aiden confesses to being similarly upset about Lucie’s date and shows her that his texts are from his parents, documenting their vacation for him. Aiden explains that his parents are celebrating his mother’s most recent remission and then changes the subject to Lucie’s now obvious interest in him, telling her, “[I]t was cute […] when you were jealous” (256).

On the air, Lucie tells a disappointed caller that she and Oliver will be platonic friends. She declares that she will no longer go on dates that other people arrange or discuss these dates on the broadcast. Lucie surprises Aiden when she mentions that she did have a recent date by chance, mentioning their evening together without using his name. Lucie suggests that maybe the man from that night was not interested, but Aiden disagrees. He privately wishes for the courage he had then, remembering how open and hopeful he felt. As they end the broadcast, Aiden realizes he may be in love.

In the empty booth, Lucie asks Aiden if they should discuss the obvious connection they share. Aiden suggests he cannot be the lasting love she is looking for, so pursuing their attraction is unwise. Lucie tells him she wants to kiss him. Aiden reiterates that he is wrong for her, but Lucie tells him, “[T]rust me to decide for myself” (263). Aiden gives in and kisses her.

In a transcript of a conversation with a listener, Lucie and Aiden discuss the nature of attraction, especially the power of eye contact.

Lucie and Aiden kiss passionately, and he insistently moves her into his lap before saying that they should not pursue things further. Lucie reluctantly agrees, privately resolving, “I won’t beg him to want me” (271). Aiden walks her to her car and admits that he is at a loss for what to say. Lucie gently tells him to have a good evening.

Lucie arrives home to see Mateo on her couch. He says Maya wanted to sleep at her house but also assures her, “[Y]ou’ve met all her needs with unfailing precision of the last twelve years. Now it’s time to do something for you” (274) Lucie goes to tuck Maya in, and her daughter wakes, full of questions about the show. She assures Lucie that Aiden is interested in her and mentions that the internet is full of speculation about the two of them.

After Maya goes back to sleep, Lucie worries Aiden is only interested in her as a ratings ploy. She texts Aiden to ask if he knows about the internet rumors. Aiden tells her to be direct, so she asks if he had any particular motive to kiss her. He calls and tells her not to worry about the rumors—listeners were once similarly invested in the idea of him dating Jackson. He finally assures her, “[T]hat [the kiss] was for me and you, no one else’” (280). Aiden admits that he should have told her in the parking lot that he has growing feelings for her. Aiden asks what she is wearing, and Lucie answers, but she is uncomfortably aware that phone sex with Aiden would cross another boundary.

In online comments, listeners speculate about why the show might have been off schedule, not knowing that Aiden and Lucie were talking and beginning to pursue one another before and after the broadcast.

Aiden struggles to focus on work after kissing Lucie. Maggie comes to find him and suggests they find an ending arc for Lucie’s time on the show since Lucie is ready to date on her own. Maggie tells him that her main goal for the project was to get the public to enjoy Aiden’s work again, so she is satisfied with the improved ratings. Aiden agrees to formulate a plan.

Lucie arrives early, and she and Aiden make intense eye contact, caught up in their chemistry. Aiden, overcome with emotion, hurries Lucie toward the supply closet, intending to talk to her privately about Maggie’s plans. Instead, Aiden ends up telling her he wants to kiss her again. Lucie tells him she is ready to take what she wants in life and that she does not expect romance from Aiden. Instead, she posits that they could simply be “[t]wo people having fun” (291). They passionately kiss.

Between kisses, Aiden and Lucie discuss their phone call and their mutual sexual fantasies. Aiden urges her to bring herself to orgasm against his leg. Afterward, Aiden reminds Lucie that they have a show to do but assures her that he is still interested in seeing her again.

During the broadcast, Lucie alludes to seeing her mystery man from the Skee-Ball outing. Aiden admits he has been distracted.

At work, Lucie texts Aiden and prepares for another meeting with the customer she has dubbed “Chevy Guy,” the handsome man who asked her to work on his classic truck. As they discuss the repairs, the man tells Lucie he seems to know her from somewhere, specifically referencing her voice. Afterward, another waiting customer tells Lucie that the man was obviously interested in her. When she demurs, the woman tells her that it makes sense that Maya needed to intervene to teach Lucie how to date.

Lucie’s conversation is interrupted as she and her coworkers draw straws—actually spaghetti noodles—to determine who will go pick up a customer and tow their car. Lucie loses the draw but is suddenly in a much better mood when she sees that Aiden is the customer.

Instead of a transcript, there is a radio announcement that the local symphony is airing instead of Heartstrings.