The Relationship Coach

by Sylvia McDaniel

  His phone beeped, letting him know there was a message. Reed dialed his voice messages and heard Lacey’s assistant ask him to call her. Lacey wanted to schedule another meeting with him.

  Reed smiled. Two could play this cat and mouse game. He glanced at his watch. It was ten. This morning he had errands to run, and later this afternoon, his high school filmmaking club met. Lacey Morgan would just have to wait.

  ***

  Lacey tried her best to show interest in the apartment she and Dean were being shown. A nice three-bedroom with a study, fireplace, twenty-five hundred square feet, in one of the nicest areas. The apartment even had a garage for one of their automobiles.

  The agent switched on the lights as she walked through the apartment. “This is our largest apartment. We have washer/dryer hookups and, if you don’t own your own, we have a rental company that offers them to you at twenty-five dollars a month. Our leases are twelve months and require a credit check, insurance, and one month’s deposit.”

  “What do you think, honey?” Dean asked her as they strolled through the sprawling apartment.

  She glanced at her watch. Six hours had passed, and Reed had yet to return her or Amanda’s calls.

  Dean frowned at her. “Lacey, honey, are you with me? Do you like it?”

  “It’s nice. The rooms are the right size, I like the kitchen, but this is the first one we’ve seen. I think we should look at several apartments before we decide.”

  He shook his head, obviously disappointed, and smiled at the apartment complex rental agent. “Thanks for your time. We’ll let you know.”

  “No problem. Here’s my card.”

  They walked back to his Jeep. “I really liked that apartment. It had everything we’re wanting.”

  “It’s the first one we’ve seen. We may come back to it, or there could be one we like better that we’ve yet to see.”

  “But what if this one is rented by then?”

  “There will be others.”

  She realized he was on the verge of being mad. “Do you want to go back and sign the lease? Are you ready to take that step?”

  He frowned. “I guess not. You seem distracted today.”

  Like he’d never been distracted? How many times had she waited for him? Missed him? Well, he could just damn well be understanding of her today.

  She sighed. This waiting was getting to her, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d take it out on Dean.

  “I’m sorry. I told you I’m waiting to hear back from Reed Hunter about the documentary. Everything depends on getting this film.” Lacey bit her lip. “I should have just done the damn thing.”

  “Why did you turn it down?” he asked perplexed.

  Now, he wanted to second-guess her. Now, when he hadn’t been here when she was wrestling with the idea.

  “I…I don’t know. I wasn’t certain how he would depict my business. I knew I had this meeting with the television director, so I went with my gut. Now, I’m regretting my decision.”

  “What’s changed? Do you know any more about this documentary?” Dean asked.

  “What’s changed is that I need his documentary to get my television show. He’s not the type of man who appreciates what I do. For all I know, he could show my business as a simple dating service, taking people’s money and playing with their emotions.”

  So much was riding on this documentary, and it was all out of her control. All she could do was speak to Reed and try to get a feel for him once again.

  “But you’re going to take the chance because of the television show.”

  “Probably.”

  “And if he is doing a documentary about you as a scheming, money-making, date shop, what then? Have you got a back-up plan?”

  The possibility of someone smearing the business she’d built from nothing was unthinkable, and her chest tightened in fear. Nothing could be worse. She’d experienced people who didn’t believe in her business. But usually after meeting her, hearing her success stories, and the results of her system, they admitted she changed lives. She helped people find mates that had meaningful partnerships. She put people together for life.

  Frustration nipped at her like a dog biting her ankles, and she all but snapped at Dean. “I don’t know. I have no back-up plan. I’d want to help Mr. Hunter make the best documentary ever as long as it has a positive message about my company.”

  Dean glanced over at her. “You’re taking a big chance, aren’t you?”

  She must be making Dean miserable, but she couldn’t help herself. Everything was so unsettled. Once she talked to Reed and could put this anxiety behind her, she’d be fine. But everything hinged on a man she’d known a week.

  “Yes.” She glanced over at him, suddenly feeling remorseful for her crankiness. “I’m sorry if I haven’t been very attentive or even excited about looking at this apartment today. You deserve my full attention. We’re about to embark on a new life together, and I should be focused on you.”

  He pulled the Jeep out into traffic on the freeway, and then gazed at her. “That’s what I love about you. Even when you’re at your worst, you realize the problem and accept your part. You make me feel good.”

  She smiled at him. “You’re welcome. Now where are you taking me for dinner? I’m starved, and I promise to think only of us.”

  “How about the—”

  Her ring tone started playing, and she grabbed her cell phone from her purse. “Hello.”

  “Reed Hunter.”

  Immediately, she felt a sense of relief. Finally, he was calling, and she could make some decisions. “Hello, Mr. Hunter. How are you this afternoon?”

  “I’m well, thank you. Your marketing director, Amanda, called and said you wanted to meet again. Can I ask what this is about?”

  “Mr. Hunter, I’ve reconsidered. I’d like to discuss the possibility of doing your documentary. But before I make my decision, there are some things we need to discuss.”

  “How about dinner tonight?”

  Lacey glanced at Dean. His forehead drew together in a frown. God, she wanted to go, but how could she go off and leave Dean? Yet, how could she wait another day without knowing or making a decision?

  Dean mouthed at her, obviously hearing their conversation. “It’s okay. Go if you need to.”

  “What time?”

  “How about seven thirty?”

  Lacey glanced at her watch and realized that would give her two hours to get ready and get to the restaurant. “Where?”

  “I’ll meet you at Brucelli’s.”

  “I’ll see you at seven thirty,” she said almost giggly with relief. Either way, at least a decision would soon be made.

  “I’ll be there,” he said and disconnected.

  Lacey glanced at Dean, a smile on her face. “Thanks, honey, I really appreciate this. I promise you once I get this settled, we’ll find that apartment, and soon we’ll be together all the time.”

  He reached over and patted her on the thigh. “You go get the guarantees you need to make this film.”

  “I will,” she said, but she didn’t feel as certain as she sounded.

  She was about to wage her business and her career on a man who did documentaries for a living. Who exposed people? How would he expose her?

  A chill rippled through her, and she felt like she stood on the edge of a cliff. One wrong move and she’d tumble over.

  Chapter Five

  Lacey strolled into the dimly lit Italian restaurant; the romantic ambience greeted its patrons at the door. Elevator music played softly, while candles flickered in the darkened dining room. Fragrant oregano drifted in the air with the sweet smell of fresh bread.

  A seduction restaurant and she wondered at Reed’s choice. Everywhere she looked, couples engaged in the dance of courtship, leaning in close to one another, talking softly with desire reflecting in their gazes.

  This hardly seemed the place for a business dinner. A dinner over which she would commit her business and her career to
a man she knew very little about. Yet, if she wanted the television show, what choice did she have?

  Standing in the entryway, she scanned the area and observed Reed sitting at a booth, waiting for her. When he saw her, he jumped to his feet.

  “Hi,” she said, as he waited for her to take a seat before sitting across from her in the booth.

  “Did you have any trouble finding the restaurant?”

  She admired his appropriate business casual attire of a suit coat and dress jeans. Most women would consider Reed Hunter a hottie, and Lacey had to admit she liked his style.

  “No, not at all. I’ve driven by it before, but I’ve never eaten here.” This was not the type of restaurant Dean and she frequented.

  The waitress appeared, and Reed ordered a bottle of wine, while Lacey gazed at the menu.

  “Do you eat here often?” she asked.

  “Sometimes. The food is excellent. I use to bring my girlfriend here,” Reed said, his expression reflected no emotion at the mention of his previous girlfriend.

  Candlelight flickered on their table, casting shadows across his handsome face.

  Relationships, women, dating—none of these topics appeared to bring about any expressions of excitement or even enthusiasm. Reed seemed distant at the mention of marriage or girlfriends.

  Lacey smiled. “Yes, it is a restaurant that specializes in romance.”

  More like seduction, but she would never tell him that.

  “They also have outstanding food,” he reiterated.

  “You said you used to bring your girlfriend here.”

  “We’re no longer together.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  He shrugged. “No sweat.”

  A careless attitude that made her wonder what brought about the couple’s demise. He’d either been hurt really bad or simply hid his feelings very well.

  “What about yourself? Are you currently in a relationship? Married?” he asked.

  “I’m in a committed relationship, but I’ve never married. I decided years ago to wait until I was certain before I walked down the aisle.”

  Reed leaned toward her, his brows drawn together, and he gazed at her intently. “How can you be certain about someone? You could think he’s perfect for you and wake up one day and realize you hate the guy.”

  She nodded. “True, but by knowing exactly what you want and searching for someone who meets your qualifications, your chances of appearing in divorce court are much less. There’s no certainty about anything in this life, but I like to at least make my odds a little better.”

  The waitress appeared and poured their wine. While Reed ordered, Lacey tried to figure out the man. Obviously intelligent, he’d never married. Good-looking, and yet he was alone. Reed appeared nonchalant about women in general, yet he clearly wasn’t gay. Why would a man like Reed want to make a documentary about a relationship coach?

  He didn’t seem to believe in love or relationships.

  She sipped the cool chardonnay, the flavor bursting in her mouth. “Tell me again why you’re making this documentary?”

  “I like to tell real life stories about what is going on in the world. I want to show injustices. I want to show people who are helping one another. I want to give people a view of the world they don’t see in their ordinary lives.”

  From what she could discern about his personality, he didn’t seem to believe in love or relationships.

  “Sounds impressive.”

  “Why did you become a relationship coach?” he asked.

  She sat back, wondering how much she should tell him. “My mother married five times before I left for college. My sister and I moved constantly, and we had multiple step-brothers and sisters. Turmoil was the norm between the kids, and even between some of my step-fathers and us. I decided I wanted to help people find the right person and keep other children from suffering what we’d experienced.”

  Reed chuckled. “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing because of what you just told me. I’m laughing because the thought of you in a house filled with chaos doesn’t fit. You’re so calm, cool, and collected. What you’re telling me is difficult for me to picture.”

  Lacey shook her head and frowned. “It wasn’t pleasant. One of my step-sisters stole my clothes whenever she visited for the weekend. I didn’t dare mention my favorite shirt, or it disappeared. In fact, I often told her I loved a shirt when I actually loathed it. The shirt disappeared, making me happy.”

  “Didn’t you tell your mother what was going on?” he asked, an incredulous look on his face.

  She shook her head and frowned at him. “At first, my sister and I tried to tell her, but mother was trying to win over my step-sister, Becky, who hated all of us, so there was never any punishment.” Lacey gazed at him and wondered how many relationships he’d experienced. How many women’s hearts he’d broken or how many times he’d been dumped. “Tell me more about this documentary.”

  “I brought along the production schedule. I thought maybe you’d like to see it. It shows who I’m going to interview and how I’m going to compare dating services to your business,” he said, pulling some folded papers out of his jacket.

  “Okay, but I have a matchmaking service,” she said, wanting to make sure he understood the difference.

  “Yes, I know, but I want to compare how you match couples to how the dating service matches couples.”

  She gazed at him as he handed her the schedule. “Some services put your picture on the website and say ‘go for it.’ There is no thought to if the two of you have anything in common or not. There are a couple of dating companies who use personality tests to match you.”

  “Then there are the free websites,” he said.

  Music played softly in the background as he gazed at her intently. She refused to acknowledge he was damn good looking or the little hitch in her breathing he seemed to create.

  “You get what you pay for. You don’t have any idea who you’re meeting. It could be a serial killer, rapist, or a cult member looking for a new wife.”

  He appeared to contemplate her remarks. “Tell me what makes your service different from other dating services?”

  “All of my clients are required to have a criminal background check, personality tests, and self-evaluation. Clients must attend at least one of my dating seminars and fill out a complete and thorough application, disclosing what they’re looking for in a mate,” she said, taking a sip of her wine.

  Reed raised his brows. “That’s a lot of personal information.”

  “Kept strictly confidential.”

  “Do you turn some people away?” he asked.

  “All the time. We only help people who are serious about finding a mate. And if you’re looking for or needing therapy, that’s not my expertise.” She glanced over the production schedule and noted with interest that he had penciled in several of her seminars. On paper, the impression appeared favorable, but she couldn’t quite get a feel for how he intended to portray her.

  “This looks acceptable. But my career, my business, is hinging on how you film this documentary. Do you believe in relationship coaches?” she asked him, needing to know.

  “Finding women has never been a problem for me.”

  She couldn’t stop the chuckle that bubbled forth. No, women would gravitate to Mr. Hunter. His looks, his smile, his flirtatious manner, so why was he alone?

  “You didn’t answer my question.”

  He sat back and stared at her, while the music played in the background. Did she really have any choice, but to accept his offer? She needed his documentary in order to impress upon the studios that she was ready for television. Yet, she hesitated, needing to know how he felt about her business.

  “I’m not convinced your service is necessary for some people.”

  A smile slipped into place as she lifted her wine glass to her lips. She’d dealt with men like him before. They came in, determined to show they didn’t need her, and after several sessions,
were eager and excited to see the changes in their dating experiences.

  “Why are you doing a documentary on relationship coaches and dating services if you don’t believe in them?”

  Reed leaned into the table. “It doesn’t matter what I think. My job is to film you and let the viewers decide for themselves if what you’re doing helps people. As long as you have nothing to hide, you should look great.”

  Lacey angled toward him, wanting him to understand how what he did with the film could affect her. “Can I depend on you to represent me fairly without letting your personal prejudice show?”

  Reed sat back and smiled at her. His green eyes darkened, and he took a deep breath. “I understand your concern. But I’m a journalist. I make documentaries. Ty films and I do the editing. All I can promise you is that what I film is what the audience will see. It’s up to them to make their decision as to whether or not the service you provide is legitimate and satisfying for the people you work with.”

  Anxiety gripped Lacey, wringing her insides, until she felt nauseous. She would place the business she’d spent years building into this man’s hands in order to reach the next level. A level she had not confided to him.

  For some reason, she didn’t want to tell him about the television show. That card she’d keep close to her chest. Right now, he didn’t have to know she needed him more than he needed her. Eventually, she would tell him, but not yet, not now. Not until he’d earned her trust.

  “Tell me why you’ve never married?” she asked, staring at the way his eyes reflected the candlelight, looking for anything that would help her understand him more.

  Her television show as the result of his documentary could only help him, as well. And while he kept insisting the final edit would be the result of the camera, she knew better than to believe that. How could he edit film without his personal prejudices slipping into the editing process?

  Reed’s brows rose at her question. He leaned back to study her. “What has that got to do with my documentary?”

  “I’m trying to understand you and your world view.”