The Relationship Coach

by Sylvia McDaniel

  ***

  Ty set up the lighting in the office next to Lacey’s, where they had been filming some of her clients. He tested it against Reed’s face.

  “What’s this girl’s name?” Reed asked.

  “Martha Jones,” Ty said. “She used to be a client of Lacey’s, but quit after her dates weren’t getting results.”

  “And she’s willing to talk about it on camera,” Reed asked.

  “That’s what Ms. Jones said on the phone,” Ty responded, adjusting the lights, checking his meter. “I’ll be right back.” He rushed out of the room, leaving Reed alone.

  “Great.” A twinge of guilt skittered down his spine. After having dinner with Lacey the night before, he felt like he was cheating. But this was business. And nothing, not even women, got in the way of business.

  His attraction to the relationship coach was intense. Seldom did women resist him, and her resistance made him want her more. He couldn’t wait to get her back in his bed again. Last night he’d walked her to the door, kissed her soundly, and sent her on her way, surprising her that he’d not attempted to entice her back into his bed. But that was all part of the plan. Lure her in slowly and gently.

  Reed enjoyed the chase as much as the next guy, and Lacey was the type of woman who would give him the run of his life. And when it ended, they would go their separate ways, both sexually satisfied.

  A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in.”

  The door swung open, and a young, fiery, red-haired woman dressed in an elegant pantsuit stood at the door. “Hi, I’m Martha Jones.”

  Reed stood and gripped her hand. “Nice to meet you, Martha. Did Ty go over everything with you on the phone?”

  “Yes, and he had me sign a release before I came in.”

  “Great, then let me explain to you how this works.” Reed motioned for her to sit in the chair. “Have a seat. I’m going to sit across from you, and while Ty films us, I’ll ask you a series of questions. You answer them however you want. We want this to be like two friends chatting with the camera turned on.”

  “Will Lacey be here during the interview?”

  This interview was supposed to show how the twelve steps didn’t work for everyone. This was the first of the two bad interviewers he’d managed to find.

  “No, it’s going to be the three of us.”

  “Oh, I was hoping to see her.”

  Reed jerked and gazed at the woman, surprised she’d want to see Lacey. The twelve step program had not worked for this woman, so why would she want to visit Lacey? Especially if she was going to speak out against Lacey’s system.

  “Maybe afterwards, if she’s available, you can visit her,” he said, thinking he would be in the same room, just in case Lacey needed him. And then he realized he was being overprotective of the woman he would soon expose.

  Ty chose that moment to step into the office. “Everything’s all set. Are we ready to begin?”

  “Let’s get started.” Reed sat in the chair across from Martha.

  Ty flipped on the camera, checked the lighting one more time, and then called, “Rolling.”

  “Please state your name for the camera and tell me how you met Ms. Morgan, the relationship coach.”

  The woman flipped back a lock of her red hair and shifted in the chair. “I’m Martha Jones, and I met Lacey through one of her dating seminars. I’d recently divorced and dated several men, but they all seemed like losers. Someone told me about Lacey’s seminar, and I went,” she said, not looking at the camera, but directly at Reed.

  “Did you like the program?”

  With a tilt of her head, she thought for a moment. “I learned what I wanted and needed as an individual. It made me rethink my life and how I searched for a mate.”

  Reed was surprised she seemed to like Lacey’s program. What had gone wrong? “After the seminar, did your dates improve?”

  “Yes and no. I began to meet nice men, but I couldn’t find anyone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

  Reed smiled. Now they were getting somewhere. “Did you think this was because of the system of dating Lacey promotes?”

  “Oh no, she is right on about how you have to know yourself before you can find the right person to spend your life with. I mean, how can you expect to get what you want in life if you don’t know yourself?”

  For a moment, Reed felt a little stunned. For someone who didn’t believe in Lacey’s dating program, this interview seemed like a testimonial for the twelve steps. “What did you do once you realized your dates were still not what you wanted?”

  “I did one-on-one coaching with Lacey,” she responded candidly.

  “And how did that work out?”

  Martha smiled and twisted her hands in her lap. “Well, at the time, I didn’t understand. I mean, I did everything she encouraged me to do. Every week we met and went over what I was going to do to find the love of my life. But nothing was happening.”

  “What did the coach advise you to do?” Reed asked, certain they were finally getting to the problem.

  Martha shook her head, and then gazed at Reed directly. “One day, Lacey asked me if I enjoyed being with my girlfriends. I went on and on talking about my girlfriends and how we had so much fun together. They understand me. They get me.” Martha laughed. “She asked me if I ever felt that way about men?”

  She paused, her eyes drawing together in a frown. “At first I was stunned. I mean I’ve never really connected with men, and I’ve always enjoyed being with women. I’ve never had a physical reaction or even a connection to a man. I mean, it was so obvious, and I’d just ignored it my whole life.”

  “What?” Reed asked, intrigued. How could a woman never have a physical reaction to men? He didn’t understand.

  She smiled at Reed. “Lacey asked me if I had ever considered that I might be gay.”

  Reed kept his face expressionless, working at not appearing shocked. “What was your reaction?”

  “I got mad and walked out of her office.”

  Reed’s insides tightened like they always did when he was about to get the scoop. Now they were getting somewhere. “Do you think the coach’s question was out of line?”

  “Oh, no. Later, when I’d calmed down, I started thinking about it. I let go of my preformed ideas of what being gay meant and analyzed myself. My likes and dislikes.”

  “But I thought you’d already done that in her seminar.”

  Martha leaned forward, like she wanted to make sure he heard her. “Yes, I had, but at that time, I thought I wanted a man. You see, Lacey is the first person to realize I’m gay. I couldn’t find a man because I wasn’t interested in men. I like women.”

  Reed sat there stunned. This was so not how he’d envisioned this interview. He’d wanted someone for whom the coach’s dating methods had not worked for them personally.

  “Martha, are you in a committed relationship now?”

  “You know, I still did the twelve-step program like the Coach suggests, but I used it to find a woman and it worked.” Her mouth morphed into a huge smile. “I’ve been in a committed relationship with Sarah for six months, and we’re very happy.”

  Reed forced a smile onto his lips. This interview had not worked out the way he’d planned. Actually, it went against his assumptions and confirmed Lacey’s program. “Thanks for speaking with us, Martha.”

  Ty cut the camera off, and they gave each other a glance. You never knew what would come out when you interviewed someone. He couldn’t remember ever feeling quite so speechless.

  No matter how he tried, revealing the relationship coach as shyster was not as simple as he’d hoped.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lacey glanced over her list of bridesmaid duties. In the last week, she’d checked off every single item, except for the bachelorette party. That one still hung over her head.

  She dialed her sister’s phone number and heard her voice. “Hello.”

  “Hi, I’m calling to tell
you I’ve completed all my wedding duties, except for the bachelorette party.”

  “Thank you. That’s a relief to know. I’m beginning to understand the Bridezilla routine. Every day, more and more things need to be done, until you think your head will explode from the pressure,” she said, her voice strained.

  “Are you okay?” Lacey asked, concerned for her sister.

  “Yeah, just bridal nerves. I’m sorry, I’m rambling on about me again. You were so sweet the other day and wouldn’t discuss your break up with Dean, and here I am babbling about the beginning of our life together.” She paused. “Are you all right?”

  “Actually, I’m excellent. It’s a huge relief we’re no longer together,” Lacey said.

  “What? You’re kidding me,” Kerri said, shock resonating over the phone. “You thought Dean was the one.”

  “Yeah, I was wrong. I ended it.”

  “What happened?” she asked.

  “He showed me how selfish he was. I didn’t want to pay for him to live with me, while he made Mercedes payments.”

  “What?”

  Lacey gave her sister the low-down on what went on between her and Dean.

  “Oh, my God, I’m so glad you found out now he wasn’t right for you.”

  “Yeah, me too. Mom came over the other night and brought Chinese food. She was worried about me,” Lacey said, clutching the phone. Still surprised at her mother’s impromptu dinner. Even though they fought and disagreed, her mother always came through for her when she needed her.

  “Wow. Did you guys work things out?”

  “We did. On your wedding day, the two of us will be getting along fine.”

  Kerri released a heavy sigh. “Thank God. Now, I won’t worry our wedding pictures will show the two of you having a screaming match.”

  “Oooh, that would make for interesting family chatter,” Lacey said, laughing. “And think of the stories you could tell your children.”

  “Please. As the bride, I have enough to worry about. This is one less thing that will keep me awake at night.”

  Lacey paused, and the memory of Reed kissing her over dinner the other night sent a little tingle of awareness through her. “Kerri, I’m not asking for intimate details of your sex life with Matt, but you know how Mom goes on and on about passion. Are you passionate about him?”

  Silence filled the phone line. “Why do you ask?”

  “I’m confused. I’ve met someone who I’m so attracted to I can’t stop thinking about him. When he touches me, I feel so alive, so turned on, I just want to rip my clothes off and jump into bed with him.”

  Her sister started laughing.

  “It’s not funny. It’s damn confusing.”

  She continued to laugh. “Oh, my God, who are you and what have you done with my sister? I think you’ve found the right one.”

  “No, he can’t be the one. He can’t,” Lacey insisted.

  “Why, Lacey?”

  “Because he doesn’t believe in marriage. He doesn’t believe in relationships, and he only wants to have sex. He’s not the man for me.”

  “That’s a problem,” Kerri admitted.

  “I know,” Lacey said, her mind telling her Reed would never work out, even though her heart and body were drawn to him. He was the most exciting man she’d ever met, and he was all wrong for her.

  “That’s the way I felt when I first met Matt. I didn’t want to have a relationship. I didn’t want to get married. I wanted to complete medical school, get my residency done, and become a doctor. Yet, being with him has changed my life. I still want to finish medical school and become a doctor, but I can’t live without him. And I know you disapprove, but he’s my soul mate, my best friend, and the man I want to spend forever with,” Kerri said, a quiet determination in her voice. “I need him, Lacey.”

  Lacey sat stunned for a moment at the self-confidence she heard in her sister’s voice. She’d never heard such steely resolve from Kerri.

  “Wow, Kerri, maybe you should put that in your vows,” Lacey said. “Even after witnessing what Mom went through, you want to take a chance with Matt?”

  “Yes. And if your guy is even half as good as Matt and you’re attracted to him, give it some time. He could change his mind.”

  Lacey couldn’t imagine Reed changing. Nothing about this “thing” they were engaged in could be considered permanent. Yet, whatever this “thing” was, she couldn’t deny the passion it evoked.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t as supportive in the beginning as I should have been. I wanted to protect you,” Lacey admitted.

  “I know. And I love you for it. But I’m doing the right thing by marrying Matt. Give your guy some time, and if this budding situation is meant to be, things will work out.”

  “When did you become so wise?” Lacey asked, surprised at how her baby sister seemed to have it together.

  “I learned it from my big sister.”

  “Love you, Kerri.”

  “You too, Lacey. Now I gotta run, unless you want to help me pack boxes.”

  “Hell, no. I’ll talk to you later.”

  ***

  The next day Lacey sat in her office, making notes on clients’ files, taking care of paperwork, and glancing at her watch. Her client meetings began at two. She hadn’t had time for lunch. Booked until eight tonight, she would then crawl home exhausted and fall into bed.

  She loved her job, but sometimes the amount of work was overwhelming. With her busy schedule of seminars and personal meetings with clients, she could fill up every hour of the day. Lately, she’d given herself one weekend a month free. No taking work home, no seminars, no answering clients’ desperate calls.

  A knock on the door made her glance up. “Come in?”

  Reed stood there with a basket of food in his hand. “Your secretary said you were skipping lunch today, so I brought lunch to you.”

  She smiled, her heart filling with an emotion she didn’t want to recognize. No man had ever just dropped by with food to make her day easier. “Thanks. I’m starving.”

  He sat the basket down on her desk. “I didn’t know what you like, so I bought ham and cheese or chicken salad.”

  “I love chicken salad.”

  He grinned at her and started for the door.

  A part of her knew she should encourage him to leave, but she didn’t want him to go. She wanted to spend time with him. Just the two of them.

  “Is there enough for two?”

  Reed turned around, and his eager smile sent warm vibrations dancing through her body. For heaven’s sake, it was just a smile. But it packed a punch.

  “I hoped you’d ask me to stay.”

  “It has to be quick. I need to finish these reports before my first session this afternoon,” she said, unable to keep the smile off her face.

  Reed began to pull everything out of the basket. “Ham and cheese for me.” He reached in and grabbed the other sandwich. “Chicken salad for you. Some cups of fruit. Napkins and iced tea.”

  “You thought of everything,” she said and reached for her sandwich. The man could give lessons to other men on how to make a woman feel special.

  He sat across from her on the desk, unwrapped his sandwich and took a bite. After he’d finished chewing, he asked, “What did you think of the clips I showed you the other night?”

  “They were good. It was a little embarrassing to see me in so much film, but overall you did a great job,” she said. And she wasn’t lying. The clips he’d shown her were excellent. She hoped the rest of the film would be just as good. But she felt uneasy talking about the film. Her career was riding on this project and the television show she so desperately wanted, which he knew nothing about. Eventually, she would tell him, but not until it was for certain.

  “Thanks.”

  “What’s next?” Lacey asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.

  “We have a couple more individual sessions to film, and then we go off to the studio and start working on putting it all together.�
��

  “What sessions are you filming?”

  “That couple…the one where he didn’t want to marry the girl, and she was pressuring him.”

  Lacey didn’t have a good feeling about that couple. She feared they were not going to make it.

  “Oh dear, I see them later this week. We could witness a break-up scene with them.”

  “I don’t understand why she can’t let things keep going the way they are currently,” he admitted.

  Lacey paused for a moment, thinking of how she could explain to him how a woman still needed to know she was the only person in a man’s life. How a woman wanted to love one person for a lifetime, who gave her children and grew old with her. How could she explain this to Reed, so he understood from a woman’s perspective?

  “Reed, you’ve told me your parents have been married for many years. Have you ever asked your mother about their marriage? Have there been times they almost split up? Have you ever asked her about living with your dad? Would she have moved in with him?”

  “Oh God, no. My mom is pretty opened minded, but she’s said more than once, she would never have moved in with my dad because she’d still be waiting for that ring.”

  Lacey couldn’t help but wonder if some of Reed’s resistance to marriage he’d learned from his father.

  “Hmm…I wonder why that is. My dad didn’t want to get married, either. The story my mother tells is that she gave him an ultimatum. Marry me or get on down the road. He decided to marry her,” Lacey said, taking a sip of iced tea, curious about Reed’s family. “Does your father have any regrets?”

  “Only when the Visa bill comes in.”

  Lacey laughed. “Your dad didn’t want to get married?”

  “That’s what he said. When I was young, he told me I’d be crazy to marry anyone before I reached thirty,” Reed said, before taking a bite of his sandwich.

  “Why would he say such a thing?” Lacey asked. “Was he thirty when he married your mother?”

  “No. Dad kept telling me to sample as many women as I could before I stuck with one. And I’ve done my best,” Reed admitted.

  “Men think women are like flowers-pollinate as many as you can,” she said, wondering about Reed’s father. Sounded like he’d resisted marriage as much as his son.