The Relationship Coach

by Sylvia McDaniel

  Lacey nodded and stood, smoothing imaginary wrinkles out of her skirt. “I get enough grief from my mother. It would confirm for her that…that love is not a choice, but a chance meeting of two people’s souls on the highway of life.”

  Amanda laughed. “Gag me! My soul keeps finding the wrong men.”

  “Yes, well, my perfect match has left town again. I just hope he gets back before I have to leave next week.” No time for the two of them. No time for sex. No time to spend with Lacey. So far his homecoming had been less than stellar.

  “And if he doesn’t?”

  “Then it will be another two weeks before we get time with each other. Two long, lonely weeks.”

  In addition to the month they’d already spent apart. Her stomach clenched and her body shivered. Why did he seem so distant?

  ***

  Reed walked into the offices of Mate Incorporated. Beige and blue overstuffed chairs and paintings meant to soothe visitors graced the hunter-blue walls. He felt as if he’d walked into a doctor’s office-a love doctor who cheated people out of their money.

  “Can I help you?” the receptionist asked.

  “I have an appointment with Lacey Morgan,” Reed said, realizing the receptionist probably thought he was a new client. Like he’d ever use a dating service. Women were easy to find- toss them a smile, buy them a drink, and ask questions about their life. Just a little personal attention, and they were yours.

  He smiled, wondering how many men actually came into her business.

  “Your name?” she asked, looking up at him with a professional disinterested expression on her face.

  “Reed Hunter.”

  The young, blonde woman picked up the phone and called Lacey. “Mr. Hunter is here to see you.” She waited a minute. “Okay, I’ll show him the way.”

  “Please follow me to the conference room where Lacey will join us in five minutes. Right this way.” The receptionist led him down a hall. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “No, thanks. How long have you worked here?” he asked turning on the charm. Getting one of the employees to give him dirt would be like hitting gold.

  “Lacey is my sister.”

  The charm came to a screeching halt as his blood froze and he shelved any ideas of coercing information from an employee for now.

  “I help out in the afternoons after classes.”

  “Attending college?” Reed asked. Until now, he hadn’t seen the resemblance between the two women and he wondered how much information he could obtain from the sister.

  “Yes. I graduate this weekend.”

  “After you graduate, do you plan on working here full-time?” he casually asked hoping that if they accepted his proposal, he could befriend the young woman and eventually he would become her confidante.

  “Oh, no. I’m getting married and going to medical school,” she told him, her smile making her face glow.

  “Marriage and medical school. That’s a full load.” He paused, considering what she’d just told him. “Did you meet your fiancé through Mate Incorporated?”

  “We met in college. We’re both about to graduate.”

  “How did your sister became a relationship coach?” he asked, wondering how much she would tell.

  “Lacey saw a need that ordinary counseling wasn’t addressing, and she’s built a business around helping people. She’s quite successful.”

  “You’re getting married without going through her coaching? Why not?” he asked, digging deeper, trying to find out why an employee, her sister, had not gone through her relationship practice.

  “Are you a new client?” she asked, her brows gathering.

  Reed couldn’t help but smile. “No.”

  She took a moment to assess him as they walked down the hall. “I wasn’t looking for a relationship. It found me. Lacey is great at finding someone for her clients, but me, I found my fiancé at college.”

  “When’s the big day?”

  “June. Right before I go to medical school.”

  “Being married and going to medical school…won’t that be difficult?” he asked as they entered a large conference room.

  “We think we can handle marriage and school.”

  “What does your sister think?” He watched the conflicting emotions cross her face and realized he’d found a subject that he’d like to explore.

  Lacey walked through the doorway and frowned at her sister. “Thanks, Kerri. I think the phone’s ringing.”

  Kerri ducked her head and exited. Tension seemed to vibrate in the air between the two women. And Reed knew he needed to see if he could arrange time to talk with Kerri more.

  “She’s a sweet girl. I didn’t see the resemblance at first.”

  “Thank you. Kerri works part-time for me while she goes to school.” Lacey pointed to a chair. “Please be seated.”

  She sat across from him. “Amanda will join us momentarily.”

  “Did you get the DVDs?”

  “Yes. We watched them together. You’re a good filmmaker,” she said her voice sincere. “But the film we watched and from what I’ve learned about you, you usually do exposé types of films. Why the sudden interest in relationship coaches.”

  He shrugged. “When you do so many exposés in a row, you begin to think the whole human race is nothing but jerks. I needed something lighter. A film that would leave my audience feeling good.”

  He cringed inside, thinking maybe that last line was a little over the top.

  A tingle of warning seemed to vibrate through him. Her demeanor seemed more subdued as if she’d already made her decision and it wasn’t in his favor.

  “What do you know about relationship coaches?” she asked.

  “I’ve been doing some research. It’s a growing new field. You’re not counselors. There are no requirements for a degree in psychology or psychotherapy. You help people recognize what is wrong in their relationships. You help them to realize what they want in a partner.”

  “You’ve done your research,” Lacey said her brows drew together in a contemplative expression. “Tell me. What’s your slant with this film?”

  Reed choose his words carefully, knowing that whatever he said here would later come back to haunt him.

  “I’m going to focus on how you help couples find each other. How you help individuals realize what they expect or want in a relationship. We’ll show some couples who have met during the process. I want to show the different aspects of your business and how everything you do is centered on the relationship.”

  Amanda stepped into the room and sat. She smiled at Reed, her expression a business mask. He’d been unable to read from either Lacey’s or Amanda’s facial clues if they were going to consent to him filming Mate Incorporated.

  “What would you need from us?” Lacey asked.

  “I need complete access to you. We would film your seminars. I’d have a camera-man trailing you at all times,” Reed said.

  She leaned back to study him, and Reed knew she was tempted, but something held her back. He needed to erase the doubts and concerns he could see in her body language and hear in her voice.

  Her brows drew together, and her blue eyes gave him an intense look as if she were searching deep within him. “How will I know what you’re filming is going to be a positive representation of us? How do I know you’re not going to reveal us as matchmakers who are only in this for the money and not in it for helping people?”

  Reed took a deep breath and pushed away the guilt that gnawed at his stomach lining. He hated lying, even though it was sometimes necessary in order for him to get the footage he required for a film. Lying went against his principles and left him feeling slimy. “You don’t. You’ll have to trust me. I’ll let you see the final product before I send it out to theaters.”

  “But if I want to change anything, will I be allowed to make any final cuts or changes?”

  Gullible wasn’t one of her traits. Appearing intelligent and accurate at reading peop
le, Lacey Morgan was indeed thorough. He gained a new respect for her.

  “You’re free to make any suggestions, but I’ll have the final editorial say in what the film will show. After all, it will have my name on it, and Graham Productions is producing the documentary.”

  She took her pencil and doodled on the paper in front of her, considering his words, and finally raised her gaze to his. “Reed, do you have a girlfriend or a significant person in your life?”

  Reed squirmed in his chair, wondering about this new line of questioning. “Not right this moment.”

  “What kind of person are you looking for?”

  He shrugged, not really wanting to answer her questions. “What does it matter? I’m not a client.”

  She smiled, her blue eyes penetrating, yet a soft expression on her face. “It helps me to understand you, your personal prejudices and what kind of slant you might put on the film.”

  The way she watched him made him uncomfortable. He knew he had to respond or lose the chance to film her. “I want someone who realizes that my life is my work. I want someone who understands when I’m gone for two to three months at a time filming a documentary. I want someone who is there for me when I need her,” he said, surprised by how easy it was to tell her what he wanted in a woman, although he never intended to find this mystery person.

  Lacey considered him for a long moment. “As long as someone is taking care of you, then the relationship fulfills all your needs. But what about the other person’s needs? What if your girlfriend wants you home to spend time with her? What about marriage and kids?”

  “I have no plans on getting married, and I don’t want kids.”

  “Well, you’re clear about that,” she said. “Do you believe in relationship coaching?”

  The question was slipped in amongst the personal questions, and he knew this was the decision-maker. He swallowed and tried to keep his facial expression unreadable, but knew he’d failed when she raised her brows at him. “I think it may work for people who need it, but I know what I want in a relationship. So I’m not a good candidate.”

  “Yes, I think you know exactly what you want in a relationship.” She sighed and pushed back the strand of hair that had fallen in her face. “I appreciate your offer of doing a documentary about my business, but now is not a good time. I think I’m going to have to pass on this opportunity.”

  Reed sat there dumbfounded and realized she didn’t feel comfortable with him. In all his years of doing documentaries, he’d never had anyone turn him down when asked to be the subject.

  “You’re turning me down because I’m not a good candidate for your business?” he asked, knowing his response had been the deathblow. Even the most egotistical dictators who had known Reed was going to do everything he could to expose them for crimes against humanity, had worked with him, trying to make him believe they were honest people.

  “No. It’s just not right for me at this time,” she said.

  He stood, not knowing what to say. Determination filled his lungs and expanded his chest as he rebounded like a basketball player on steroids. He would make this documentary with or without her. But first, he had to play nice. “I’m sorry that’s your decision. Could I at least interview you?”

  “Not now, but maybe in a couple of weeks.”

  Reed reached for her hand and wrapped his large palm around hers. He slipped her a business card. “If you change your mind, you can reach me at the number printed on the card.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate your interest in my business, but I think we need to pass.”

  A rush of anger charged through him, causing him to freeze like a tin man as he tried to remain cordial. “I’m disappointed. You were the best relationship coach I researched.”

  “Thank you,” Lacey said, standing.

  “See you around,” he said, and Amanda walked him to the front office door.

  Although Lacey thought they were done, Reed would find a way to film this documentary. Her crimes might be minor compared to some people he’d filmed, but her transgressions affected people’s emotions. They were personal.

  He lifted his chin and walked to the car, dauntless conviction in every step. He would film this documentary. He would not be denied.

  ***

  Lacey wasn’t certain if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life or if she’d done the right thing. The publicity would put her business in the public spotlight, but it felt as if she were taking a leap off a cliff into a dark hole. When Reed told her he wasn’t in a relationship, alarms had gone off like sirens in the middle of the night.

  Amanda burst through the door, concern reflected from her hazel eyes. “You doubt your decision, don’t you?”

  “You know me well. He doesn’t believe in what we do.” Men like Reed Hunter didn’t believe in relationship coaches because they didn’t think they needed help.

  “Maybe. He’s also the type of man who is your best client.”

  “Yes, but only when a girlfriend or wife drags men like him in here kicking and screaming,” Lacey said as she pushed back her hair. If she’d read him correctly, he only wanted a girlfriend for sex. And even the most risqué of women grew bored of men who only wanted sex.

  “I think you could change him,” Amanda said.

  “He’s not a client. He would be filming us, and I couldn’t trust him to show the business in a positive way.” Doubt assailed her and she clenched her teeth. What if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life? What if he would have filmed her business in a positive way? What if he’d trashed her business and she’d lost all of her clients.

  She took a deep steadying breath suddenly trusting her gut and knowing she’d made the best possible decision.

  Amanda shrugged. “Well, at least we’ve still got that chance with the television producer.”

  “I’m nervous about that deal. I want that show badly and it’s not good when all my hopes are on one project,” Lacey responded, her stomach clenching with nerves at the thought of her own television show. This was her dream, her big career goal.

  “Well, I have a new list of cities we’re taking the road show to, so that should excite you,” Amanda said her expression teasing, her voice trying for excitement.

  Lacey gazed at her best friend and groaned. “I’m trying to feel the love. I know its great exposure, but traveling is so tiresome.”

  “We’re scheduled for a week on the road, and then we return home.”

  “That’s not too bad.”

  “When is Dean returning?”

  “His plans changed again. He’ll be in tonight. Tomorrow, we’re going to take some time off and go look at one of the apartments I’ve found.”

  “So, you’re going through with moving in together?”

  Doubts assailed Lacey, like a hail storm battering a roof in spring. Yet, Dean was her perfect match. The man who fit all her criteria. Recently they’d hit a rough patch and all relationships occasionally had trouble.

  “Yeah, he convinced me it’s the next step. What about you and Jason?”

  “We’re not moving in together. We’re enjoying each other’s company, and if he asked, I’d say no.”

  “You haven’t discovered he’s a sex fiend with a closet full of whips and chains, have you?”

  Amanda laughed. “No, that was the last boyfriend. So far, Jason’s normal. Have you told your mother yet that you and Dean are moving in together?”

  Shudders skittered through Lacey leaving her cold, like the temperature had dropped fifty degrees.

  “Are you kidding me? At Kerri’s lunch, we snapped at each other. I decided to wait until later. I’m not ready for the lecture on why should he buy the cow, when he’s getting the milk for free.” Even though she was in her late twenties, she would catch hell from her mother for this decision.

  “Because you’re not sure you want to buy the bull.”

  Lacey grimaced at Amanda. “Funny. I’d rather find out before I go down the aisle than
after.”

  “Amen. If the meeting with the producer doesn’t go well, are you going to be okay with your decision not to do the documentary?” she questioned.

  Lacey squirmed as turmoil ripped through her. Her gut instincts seemed to have gone on vacation. The idea of doing this documentary had been exciting, yet frightening at the same time. Turning Reed down had been gut wrenching. But his last responses to her questions had shown her he didn’t believe in what they were doing.

  “I don’t know. The company is growing, though slower than I had anticipated, and I want Mate Incorporated to be successful. I just think television is our next venue, and we need to do whatever we can to get there. The bottom line is I didn’t trust Reed Hunter.”

  ***

  “Did she take the deal?” Graham Turner, owner of Graham Productions, asked, sitting behind his big desk, making deals, creating story ideas, and changing or destroying lives.

  Reed’s stomach plummeted; his lungs no longer sucked air as he sat down across from his boss. He sighed. “No, she turned me down.”

  “Crap!” Graham said.

  “But, I can still film most of it without her. And I’m going to see if I can convince a couple of employees to speak with me on camera. I think we can still do this without her help.”

  Reed didn’t like doing individual, emotional subjects for films. He enjoyed taking down dictators and exposing unfair trade practices.

  “I’d rather she was in there helping us, and then we slammed her with the information. But you do what you can. Just put this bitch out of business.”

  He especially didn’t enjoy filming something so malicious toward a woman. Something that if not done properly could create a backlash that could ruin someone’s career or make their life a living hell.

  “Agreed. And the next film, I can choose any subject I want.”

  “You are in total control of your next film,” Graham promised him.

  How could he turn down the opportunity to pick and choose his next documentary subject?

  “Ruin her, Reed. I lost Juliet because of this woman. Make the bitch suffer.”