Meeting His Match

Chapter 8-4

Mac got ready for his taping. Things with the clients had been smooth for the last few days, mostly because he and Natalie had not been in the same room since the debacle with Ashley. As he looked over his notes to prep, Paul came into his office.

“Got a few minutes?”

Mac glanced at the clock. He had to leave for the studio soon. “A few.”

“You might need to rethink your approach with the show.”

Mac set down his note cards. “How so?”

“I went to Gem’s filming. She’s got some unusual things planned.” He took the seat across from Mac.

“We knew that going in. That was Brad’s whole purpose in bringing her on board. So what?”

While he shouldn’t be bothered by anything Gem—Natalie—had planned, something in Paul’s demeanor was unsettling.

“Even if what she does flops, the activities will play out well on film. She’ll grab the audience’s attention because visually, it’ll be a hit.”

Mac considered asking what she had planned, but he didn’t want to care. He bit his tongue and waited. Paul would’ve stood to leave if he’d said everything on his mind. Then he asked his friend, “Why were you there anyway?”

“Gail asked me to stop by. She’s worried about you.”

Mac rocked back in his chair. “More like she’s worried I’ll screw up her reputation. Maybe remind her that this was all her idea. I’m playing this the way I would with any client. That means no switching things up to compete with … Gem.” Good thing he’d caught himself. He’d almost used Natalie’s real name, and although he’d trust Paul not to say anything, he didn’t want to betray her confidence.

“Gail is worried about you. I’m worried about this competition.”

It was unlike Paul to worry. “Why? I’m doing everything my mother would do if she were in my place. Would you have these concerns if she were the one in front of the camera?”

“Yes.” Paul stood and tucked his hands in his pockets. “It’s not you or how you do your job. I’m sure you’re competent. Gail wouldn’t let you do this otherwise. It’s the other players here. We still don’t know anything about Gem or what she’s capable of.”

Now Mac was totally confused. “Gem isn’t doing anything.”

“You don’t know that. The studio isn’t keeping a tight lid on things. I walked into Gem’s taping and no one even looked at me.”

“It’s a TV show. Are they supposed to have security check points? I think you’re overreacting.”

“I hope I am. But I know Gem brought someone to watch her film. What if she’s there to spy?”

“First, we’re not trading government secrets. Second, most of what Gem and I do happens together, so no one’s hiding anything. Third, she probably brought her roommate to the taping. She’d mentioned earlier that Jillian wanted to see the set.”

Paul turned abruptly in his pacing route. “You know her roommate?”

Mac nodded. “After Brad called us in to talk about our lack of excitement on camera, we met and came up with a plan. That’s why the last meeting went so well. Brad was thrilled with the footage.”

Mac, however, was still concerned about how his remarks had affected Natalie. She’s said they were all right, but since they hadn’t seen each other in days, he wasn’t sure.

“You spent time with Gem?”

Mac nodded, checked the time, and stood.

“Without the cameras?”

“Yes,” he answered as he gathered his notes. “I have to get to the taping. Are you joining me?”

“I think I might. I want to hear what else you have going on behind the scenes with Gem.”

“There’s nothing going on.” Mac worked to keep the irritation out of his voice because Paul would sniff that out as an indication he was on to something. Mac led the way out of his office.

“Where did you meet for your little pow-wow?”

“Her apartment. That’s where I met her roommate.”

“If you give me her address, I’ll be able to find out her real name.”

Mac pressed the button for the elevator. “Don’t need you to do that. I already know. You don’t need to do any digging on her. We’re in this together to make a good show.”

“Wrong. You’re both on Love Match, but you’re in direct competition with each other. Don’t forget that. She has no reason to make you look good. In fact, she bonuses if you look like an idiot.”

“Gem wouldn’t do that.” Gem would, but Natalie wouldn’t. Crap. Now he was thinking about her as two separate people.

They stepped onto the elevator. Paul leaned against the rail and studied him. “Are you into her?”

“What?”

“Are you into her? Do you want to screw her?”

“What’s next? Are you going to ask me if I like her like her? I thought we were adults.”

Paul checked his phone. “Nice deflection. Don’t think I didn’t notice your lack of an answer.”

When they reached the lobby, Mac turned to him. “We have chemistry. She’s a fascinating woman. However, it could ruin my career to get involved with her. I’m not an idiot.”

“Hmmm,” Paul said.

“What now?”

“Just thinking how we could use this to our advantage.”

“Stop. You’re starting to sound like my mother. I’m not a client and neither is Gem. We’re going to do this job, draw positive attention to Everyday Love, and bring in tons of clients. That’s it.”

“If you say so.”

He did say so. He was an adult, and so was Natalie. They both had a lot at stake in this venture. An exciting night together wasn’t worth the risk.

At least that’s what he kept telling himself.