Meeting His Match

Chapter 8-2

When they finally called it a day with Ashley, Mac was in need of a drink. Natalie had walked out with Ashley, leaving him alone. They’d agreed that after the bickering this afternoon, he would handle Ashley’s mixer alone and she would arrange something with the women later.

Whatever format Brad had originally envisioned for this show had been thrown out the window. Mac wanted to succeed, which was why he’d put in the effort to reignite the spark he and Natalie shared. He hadn’t counted on the professional engagement to spark flames personally. He’d never gotten involved with someone from work because it was messy. No matter what people said about handling it, it always got messy. He couldn’t afford for this to go sideways. Not only was his mother counting on him to succeed, he wanted to prove that he could hold his own in helping others find happiness.

He knew his relationship with his wife had been a disappointment to Gail. Getting involved with Natalie wouldn’t help the situation.

Natalie. The name fit her so much better than Gem. He felt like they’d finally made some headway the other night, getting to know each other without cameras watching them. The fact that he had, in fact, almost kissed her was beyond the point.

But then today, when he was explaining how important first impressions were, she looked like he’d attacked her, and he had no way to back out or make her feel better.

As he poured himself a whisky and loosened his tie, he considered calling her. Before he had the chance to make up his mind, the phone rang in his hand. Brad calling at this time couldn’t possibly be good.

“Hello.”

“Malcolm, you did it. Mike showed me the footage from today and it was amazing. I just wanted to call and say keep up the good work.”

“Wait. What?”

“The footage today of you and Gem going at it. Whoa. It could almost be a show unto itself.”

“I’m glad it’s working. Did you already call Gem and tell her?” Mac wasn’t sure she would share Brad’s enthusiasm.

“I just got off the phone with her. She told me you two are doing the next segment solo with the women. I’m not thrilled with the idea, but after she explained why you each needed time with the clients, I understand. But I’m telling you, as I did her, you need to get back in front of the cameras together soon.”

Mac told Brad he understood and hung up. He drank his whisky and poured another. Then he dialed Natalie’s number. When it rang three times, he braced himself for leaving a message.

“Hello, Malcolm. What can I do for you?”

He smiled. “You can start by calling me Mac.”

“Where would be the fun in that?”

“Are you busy?” He sank onto his couch.

“Nah. I’m getting ready to watch TV with Jillian. Are you calling because of Brad?”

“Yes and no. I was about to call you when he interrupted. I guess we gave him what he’s looking for.”

“Definitely. He was thrilled. I felt like I had my own little cheerleader. What were you going to call me about besides that?”

“We’re okay, right?”

“Why wouldn’t we be?”

He heard shuffling on her end and imagined her curling up on her couch, pulling her knees up to her chest.

“Things got a little heated today during filming.”

“That’s what we’re going for, remember?”

“I felt like you were misinterpreting what I said.”

“All fodder for the camera, babe.”

Her light explanation should’ve put him at ease, but it didn’t. Then he realized why. He was speaking to Gem, not Natalie. He rubbed his forehead. “I thought we were past this.”

“What?”

He sighed. “You being Gem with me.” When she didn’t respond, he went on. “When we were arguing today, you looked…I don’t know…hurt. Like I had insulted you.”

“In a way, you were,” she said softly. “We both know Ashley and I are not all that different. It’s part of why I picked her. So an attack on her personal life hit me.”

“I wasn’t attacking. I was trying to get her to understand that if she wants to find something different, she needs to treat the situation differently.” He sipped his whisky.

“And had you said that, it would’ve been fine.”

This wasn’t going any better than it had when the cameras were on them. Mac pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been more careful with my words. I don’t think a woman who has s****l experience should be treated any differently than a virgin.”

Natalie laughed in his ear, but it wasn’t the snarky, hard-edged snicker of Gem’s. “That’s good to know since you’d be hard-pressed to find too many adult virgins. I want to make sure Ashley gets a fair shake with you.”

“I treat all my clients with respect.” He paused. “I do respect her, Natalie, as I do you.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “Good night, Mac.”

She disconnected, leaving him feeling like there was so much bubbling beneath the surface for them. But it wasn’t lost on him that she’d finally called him Mac.