Meeting His Match

Chapter 4-1

Chapter 4

Natalie left the studio with a thumb drive filled with information on potential clients. Malcolm thought she wasn’t up to the challenge of playing matchmaker? He had no idea what her abilities were. As she climbed into her car, she texted Jillian to let her know how the meeting went. They made plans to order dinner in and watch audition videos over a bottle of wine.

Brad made it clear she needed to make a decision quickly so they wouldn’t lose valuable time. She still didn’t know what the hurry was, but with Jillian in her corner, she knew they would make light work of the files. No one could beat Hale and Preston in the field of research.

Although she hadn’t said much more to Malcolm after he’d made the offer to let her choose the last client, she appreciated his effort. He sold Brad on the idea. In fact, after her outburst, she hadn’t needed to say anything. Malcolm took the lead and before she knew it, Brad’s assistant handed her a thumb drive.

She drove home and ordered from her favorite Italian place around the corner. She itched to start looking at videos before Jillian came home, but she resisted. Instead, Natalie scrubbed her face and changed into her sweatpants and T-shirt. Sliding her feet into her comfy gym shoes, she grabbed her keys to walk to the restaurant for her food.

Jillian had offered to pick it up, but Nat knew Jilly didn’t need another task. Natalie figured that by the time she got back, Jillian should be home and changed and pouring herself a glass of wine.

Warm spring air greeted her outside and Natalie inhaled deeply. She loved the smell of spring. Unfortunately, in Chicago, spring tended to last about a week. From frigid winter to scorching summer, but that brief moment in between was Nat’s favorite. So she took her time walking to Tucci’s.

On the way back to her apartment, her mind focused equally on food and matchmaking. In her gut, she feared she could do nothing for Jennifer and Melissa, the first two women chosen for the show. Maybe if she did a makeover and a crash course in dating. Hmmm… it was an idea. Brad never said what they had to do with their time with the clients.

One more thing to talk with Jillian about. Jillian would know if the contract limited what Nat could do.

Inside the apartment, she called, “Jilly? You home?”

Jillian came around the corner dressed similarly to Natalie in sweats. “Your timing is perfect. I’m starving.”

Nat set the bag of food on the table. “Dig in. Let me grab the laptop.”

“Explain exactly what you need my help with? I got your text, but I’m not sure what we’re doing tonight.” She sipped her wine.

“Brad, the producer, is letting me pick the final client who will appear on the show with us.” She left out that it was at Malcolm’s urging. “So I have a thumb drive with audition videos and files on each woman interested in being on the show. You’re gonna help me pick.”

Jillian unpacked their dinner while she listened. “This should be interesting.”

“Maybe.” Although Nat had little hope given the videos she’d watched at the studio.

Jillian served up a heaping helping of pasta, and Natalie cued up the videos. The first was every bit as bad as she feared.

Bad probably wasn’t the best descriptor. It was more of the same, which was exactly what Malcolm had warned her about. They watched the first few in their entirety while they ate. Even the wine didn’t make them go down easier. Then they watched just the first minute or two. Natalie was certain she would know her client when she saw her.

She cleared the dinner mess while Jillian refilled their glasses. They relocated to the couch to get comfortable. With the laptop on the coffee table, they curled up with their wine.

Jillian stared at the screen. “These are depressing me. I didn’t think my life was so bad, but listening to these women is making me reconsider.”

Nat shook her head. “You’re fine. You’re not looking for Mr. Right. At least not at the moment. There’s nothing wrong with focusing on your career.”

While the next video played, Natalie opened her email on her phone. Might as well multitask while waiting for lightning to strike. Still no job interview requests, which was far more depressing than the lack of dating experience she witnessed on the computer. One email caught her eye because Malcolm’s name jumped out at her.

She opened the email whose subject line was simply Any luck? A quick note from Malcolm asking if she’d chosen the new client yet. How fast did he think she could get through everything the studio had given her? Then again, neither of them had known what was on the thumb drive. She hit reply.

I have possibilities. So anxious you can’t wait until our next meeting?

She hit send and returned her attention to the screen. Jillian ruthlessly skipped ahead to the next client. Natalie didn’t even think they were watching the first full minute anymore.

A new email popped up on her phone. From Malcolm.

Just looking for a little professional courtesy. I fought for you to be able to choose the client.

She bit her lip while deciding how to answer. This was a quid pro quo thing?

No. I told you I play fair. Expecting quid pro quo after the fact would be underhanded.

She could almost see him shaking his head at her. She sighed. She wasn’t being fair to the guy. In truth, she was mostly still embarrassed she’d flirted with him and he’d shot her down. Things could’ve gotten messy if he hadn’t. So her pride took a hit. She had to suck it up and deal with him for the next couple of months. So she answered simply, I’ll send you the video when I’ve decided.

I look forward to it.

As she closed her email program, she felt Jillian’s eyes on her. “What?”

She waved with her wine glass. “I’m wondering what is taking your attention away from these videos you’re supposed to be watching. Something so interesting that you look alternately perplexed and intrigued.”

“I do not.” She tucked the phone next to her. “Malcolm emailed to see if I’d made a choice yet.”

“Mmm-hm.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you already told me he’s yummy. He appears to be more than fair in this ridiculous competition. And now you’re chatting via email. When will it graduate to texts?”

“Whatever. We’re colleagues trying to get this show up and running.”

Just then, a voice on the laptop caught Natalie’s attention. As the woman told her story of a bad break-up and horrendous online dates, Nat felt like she was hearing her own story.

Then the woman said, “I’ve been a catch-and-release girl for a long time now. I think I’m ready to settle down and bring in the big game.”

Jillian’s face wrinkled, but Natalie hit pause. “That’s her. That’s my girl.”

“Why?”

“She’s using terminology from a dating book. I read it years ago. That means that even if she wasn’t successful, she has some experience. From the sound of her, she was successful. Otherwise, why point out she was a catch-and-release girl?”

“What is she talking about?”

“The book compared hunting for a guy to hunting animals. Before you go out on a hunt, you have to have your objective clear: If you’re looking for a temporary thing, it’s catch-and-release. You know, like when you catch a fish and throw it back in the water?”

Jillian nodded with understanding if not total acceptance.

Natalie sighed and tried for patience. She had to remember that Jillian never needed gimmicks or tricks to land a guy. Not for the night or for the long-term. She was a natural. “What this video tells me is that what’s-her-name,” Nat pointed at the screen and felt a little bad she hadn’t even been paying close enough attention to catch a name, “is ready. She’s tested the waters. Did you hear the beginning of her story? She could be me.”

“Does that mean you’re ready?”

Nat rolled her eyes. She knew Jillian was poking her for fun. Nat only did catch-and-release. Anything longer never ended well for her. She couldn’t be Gem forever, but she was fabulous for a night. “Other than the terminology she used, do you see any reason not to choose her?”

Jillian lifted a shoulder. “Let’s watch it from the top and then decide.”

Natalie did as Jillian requested, but in her gut she knew this was the client for her.