Matchmaker

by Lauren Landish

  Emily looks flustered by it all, and judging by the blush on her cheeks, she’s feeling him. I smother the surge of envy that swells from the depth of my stomach at the smile on her face. Even though I don’t like Lee, I can’t let him or anyone else make me lose control over my emotions. I’m here to play a game just like everyone else, and I won’t win by getting worked up the moment someone is trying to mack on Emily.

  Keeping a level head, I watch their interaction, and I have to admit, Lee’s smooth and talks a good game despite his ugliness in the limo. The other poor schmucks in that group have barely spoken to Emily at all. It’s almost like Lee’s entranced her into a private conversation in the middle of the party.

  I start to get irritated when their conversation goes on longer than it should, but thankfully, Meredith puts an end to it. She’s been watching on the sidelines. “Cut! Emily, move to the next group, please.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” I hear Emily mutter. She gives Lee a little wink, laughing at some joke he whispers to her before she approaches my group.

  Her eyes immediately fall on me and she freezes, her lips parting in surprise and a blush that rivals the one she had for Lee popping up on her cheeks.

  I jump to my feet, getting to her before anyone in the group can. I know I have to be imposing, towering over her at 6’3” when she seems to be no more than 5’4”, but I peg her for loving tall men. “Hello again, Emily,” I say to her. Her perfume is entrancing, a woodsy fragrance that makes my head spin. “Having a good time so far?”

  For a moment, Emily doesn’t reply, her mouth opening and closing before she manages a smile. “I am,” she says, blushing slightly. God, I love the sound of her voice. Sweet and pure, yet a note of sultriness buried underneath. She’s got a wholesome vibe, but I can tell there’s another side to her ready to burst out at any moment, and damned if I don’t want to be the man who unleashes her. “I’m just having a hard time remembering everyone's name.” She giggles, almost in a way that makes me feel like she’s been told to laugh just for appearance’s sake. “I may end up needing cue cards or something.”

  I chuckle. “Do you remember mine?” I feel like there’s no way she could forget mine, but I brace myself for her to say no anyway. After all, there were twenty-nine guys after me.

  “Of course,” she says softly, surprising me as she looks up at me. “Hayden Bishop.”

  Warmth fills my stomach. She even remembered my last name. That’s a good sign. “Oh, the full name too. I must have left a good impression then,” I say, grinning.

  “You did,” she says softly. Our eyes lock, and it feels like an invisible current flows between us. She seems to sense it because she dips her chin, smiling shyly as she reaches for the lock of her hair.

  I intercept her hand, gently lowering it, and then push the curl behind her ear myself. “No need to be nervous,” I tell her. “We’re all just trying to get to know you. And for good reason.”

  She bites her lip as she nods, and all I can think is that I wish I could bite that lip myself. “I know, and I want to get to know you—all of you.”

  I’m the only one you need to know, I want to tell her. The rest don’t matter.

  “So, what brings you to the show?” Emily asks. “Are you really looking to find your perfect match?”

  I open my lips to reply, but Meredith interrupts. “Emily, move it along.”

  Emily looks at me apologetically and I feel sorry for her. There’s no way she could get to know a guy in less than an hour, let alone thirty men in that time.

  “Sorry,” she says simply. There’s not much else to say.

  “It’s all right,” I say. “We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other better.”

  She blushes at the confidence in my words as she moves away. My eyes never leave her face as she goes from group to group, making small chat. A couple of guys in my group keep up the conversation around us, but I barely notice them because I’m so focused on Emily. Looking at her body language, I try to get more of a read on who my competition is.

  After another twenty minutes, Meredith calls out, “All right, time for our first elimination scene. Guys, line up in the yard in front of the hedge backdrop. Emily, come over by the table.”

  We move where instructed and listen as Meredith explains that this initial cut is the biggest of the season, dropping our group from thirty to fifteen in one night. There’s a few grumbles from the guys about not wanting to go home so soon, but they knew this was coming. Besides, those who get cut still get to stay on the grounds until initial shooting wraps, so it’s a free vacation either way.

  Emily seems flustered about having to make such a large cut so quickly, but Meredith walks up to her, Nate at her side with his ever-present clipboard. I can’t hear them, but I see Emily’s eyes lighting on each guy and Nate making a corresponding mark as she goes down the line. A few times, I see Meredith talking to Emily about a suitor and it seems like Meredith gets her way with her choice of guys, Emily nodding along with her.

  Finally, the scene is set and Emily is shepherded to stand in front of the line of guys. Nate hands each of us card with a split image of our own headshots and Emily’s, telling us to hold them face down.

  Nate hands Emily a card, and Meredith yells, “Action!”

  Emily recites some lines. “Hi, Matt. It’s time to see if we have a match.” And as they both turn their cards over, holding them up for the camera, I can see that the matching split image is shown on both cards.

  The next fellow isn’t so lucky, and when they turn their cards over, hers is blank. No match. He gives her a chaste kiss to the cheek and exits the scene, walking over the catering table.

  As Emily works her way down the line, I realize some of these guys never had a chance. There just wasn’t enough time, and they didn’t seize the small opportunity they had. Reality TV just isn’t for them. Hell, it isn’t for me either. But seeing Emily, I have to win.

  Thankfully, a few of the loudmouth guys get sent off too, one of whom doesn’t take it too well. After recovering from his shock, the jackass goes straight to anger and starts loudly muttering about how the producers will hear from his agent. I wonder if they’ll edit that out or leave it for dramatic effect.

  Emily seems a little confused and wary, but she continues down the row.

  She matches a couple more guys, including Lee. I have to admit, that match makes me grit my teeth, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I knew the sly bastard wasn’t getting cut tonight. He’s got too much charisma and, at least in front of Emily, he’s been a perfect gentleman. I’ll just have to bide my time and expose him for the snake that he is.

  And then it’s my turn.

  Standing in front of me, I realize she’s shaking. God, I wish I could take her in my arms right here and now and tell her everything will be all right. But they’ve made it clear what the rules are, and that’s out of bounds.

  I am allowed to touch her, though, so I reach out and take her hand, covering it with my own. “It’s okay, Emily. You can do this,” I tell her in a reassuring voice.

  There’s a long pause as she stares up at me with wide, doe eyes. There’s no way she’s cutting me, but for a moment, my confidence wavers. Then, she suddenly smiles and recites her lines and we flip our cards over simultaneously.

  It’s a match.

  Chapter 7

  Emily

  “Oh, my God,” I moan as I get ready to head down to hair and makeup. I haven’t seen McKayla and Brad since last night and I can’t believe I’m actually looking forward to their bickering. “That was one of the hardest, most awkward things I’ve ever had to do in my life!”

  I’m no wallflower, but being the center of attention with all those guys felt so weird. All the grins, all the compliments, started to make me feel dizzy at one point, and I was grateful when Meredith called to cut.

  I hated sending some of the men home, too. Some, I hardly even got to speak to. But I had little choice in the matter.
When Meredith and Nate went through the list with me, they pressured me to keep those who were more ‘camera friendly’, so even though I wish I’d had more time to get to know four of the guys, I had to cut them. Instead, I kept the fifteen who most matched what I’m looking for, and what Meredith’s looking for.

  Luckily, after all the non-match guys had been escorted off set, it was a little more celebratory. We all jumped around and cheered like we’d won the homecoming game.

  Lee even picked me up, bouncing me like I’d scored the winning goal, although honestly, I think he might’ve just been feeling my ass. If he wasn’t so hot, I might have more of a problem with it, because I don’t normally move that fast. Besides, I’m hoping it was just for the cameras, so I’ll give him a pass.

  We’d shot one more scene last night, where Meredith had us all gather around a big lit-up wheel and I spun it to see what our date activity would be for today. That’s how I found out our first group date is going to be bowling, and I haven’t bowled since I was a kid with gutter guards. I can’t imagine this will go well, but with the guys, I think it’ll be fun.

  I let out a sigh, feeling slightly depressed as I look at myself in the mirror.

  “Wonder what they’d think if they saw me now?” I whisper, running my hands through my disheveled mane that looks wild from a night of tossing and turning. Without all the hair extensions, makeup, and false eyelashes, I look nothing at all like the diva who rocked the party last night.

  I do love how I look all jazzed up, but a part of me thinks that it’s a bad thing. Whomever I end up choosing is going to be so used to seeing me made up like a doll.

  The thought depresses me, but I have shit to do. I push down my worries and leave the room, making my way to hair and makeup.

  “Holy shit, girlfriend, what happened to you?” Brad exclaims in horror when I walk through the door. Unlike me, he and McKayla look fresh-faced, with Brad wearing neon pink pants and a white dress shirt while McKayla looks like she’s channeling Dita von Teese for a night on the town in her painted-on low-cut mermaid dress, fishnets, and sky-high platform heels. Her hair is styled like Peg Bundy and I wonder just how much product it takes to poof it up like that. As I stare at her hair, Brad questions me. “Did you sleep with all fifteen guys last night . . . all at the same time?” He actually sounds a bit hopeful that maybe I did.

  I give him a glare as I make my way over to the chair, trying not to giggle. “Oh, shut up!”

  McKayla laughs, her hands on her hips. “You tell ‘em, girl. Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous, wishing he could get in that meat pile.”

  Brad looks at McKayla like she’s lost her mind. “Whatever, bitch. I’ll have you know that I’ve made more than a few straight men change teams. I already know three that I’d turn gay so fast that two-dollar weave you’re wearing would fly off your head.” He does his twirl and pops his hip, his signature move it seems. “No one can resist this booty.” To reiterate the point, he gives his ass cheek a little smack.

  I laugh as I climb in my chair and McKayla makes a face of disgust. “Bitch, please. I’ve seen better asses on a donkey.”

  “Oh, thank you!” I sigh, wiping at my eyes. It’s only been a minute and I’m already feeling better. “I so needed that after last night. It was so stressful.”

  McKayla gives me a sympathetic look as she grabs a flat iron off the vanity. “It sure looked like it, but you need to relax. You’ve got a lot more to go.”

  There’s a couple of moments of silence as she gets started. “Well?” McKayla asks me as she’s messing with my hair.

  “Well, what?” I ask.

  “Spill it, chickadee. Who’s your favorite?” she demands. Before I can reply, she adds, “It’s Lee, isn’t it? When I saw him twirl you, girl, I about swooned myself! I love a man who can dance, and that man looks like he’s got some moves.” McKayla’s eyes are twinkling as she speaks, a look of infatuation on her face. Remembering Lee’s smoothness, I can’t blame her.

  Brad doesn’t share her opinion, shaking his head almost immediately as he uses the a wet wipe to remove any residual makeup from my face and then applies a primer. “Oh, hell, no. That one is a slick willy, and I don’t mean that in the sense that he’ll ease on in. I’d watch him with sharp eyes if I were you.”

  “I’m watching,” I mutter. “Trust me, I’m watching.” I pause for a moment as Brad starts applying foundation with his brush. “Is there anyone else I should watch out for?”

  I watch Brad purse his lips in the mirror. “I think that Matt one is a cutie, but I don’t think it’s my ego talking when I say he might be more interested in me than you. Not sure what that means for you, Miss Em. But if you cut him, I’m making a trip over to the elimination house to see if my gaydar tingles are right . . . at least for the night.”

  I laugh at their antics as we go through the list of remaining suitors, discussing who might be here for real or who might be fake. While we chat, McKayla makes a point of telling me to keep my hands out of my hair and stop messing with her genius work.

  “What about Hayden?” I ask as both Brad and McKayla draw close to being finished.

  McKayla lets out a dreamy sigh as she finishes my hair and gives it a satisfied pat. “That man is hot with a capital Fuck Me, Please. Between him and Lee, they just might burn this place to the ground.”

  “For once, I agree with the witch,” Brad says, putting on his finishing touch, my long, fake lashes.

  Warmth flows through my chest, grateful that both Brad and McKayla are people who are willing to talk straight with me. I know it’s only been a few days, but they already feel like friends.

  “Finished!” Brad announces as he appraises his work, prodding me out of my seat. “Tell me I’m not an artist!”

  I have to blink rapidly before I can see, but when my vision clears enough to see my reflection in the mirror, I can’t help myself, nodding. Once again, I look like a movie star thanks to them. I feel a surge of confidence seeing the change from how I looked just twenty minutes ago. “You do good work.”

  “Damn, girl, you’re drop-dead gorgeous,” McKayla says proudly, smiling at her hair job. “You look even better than last night.”

  I flush at her compliment. “Thank you.”

  Brad smacks me on my ass, causing me to jump in surprise. “All right, we did our part, now get out there and get a hole in one!

  I laugh, correcting him. “Sorry, nasty boy, but we’re bowling, not golfing.”

  With a smirk, Brad sasses back. “Oh, I wasn’t talking about the game, darlin’!”

  I shake my head as I walk out. I just can’t with him, but I still manage to hear McKayla teasing, “Dumb ass, it’s one in a hole, not a hole in one because she’s the one with holes.”

  Brad smarts right back. “Bitch, girls ain’t the only ones with holes. Trust me on that.”

  I’m still grinning when I walk to wardrobe. They quickly dress me in some Grease version of a bowling alley outfit, but I have to admit the black cigarette pants look painted on my curves, and the flirty tie of the shirt at my waist is flattering.

  Feeling myself a bit, I follow Nate to the bowling alley. Yes, this mansion has a fucking bowling alley. Who lives like this? Certainly not me. The guys are sitting around at little cocktail tables and all eyes turn to me as I enter. It’s not like any bowling alley I’ve ever seen, though. Everything is luxurious, and the only thing I’d recognize from a normal bowling alley is the ball return machine. At least, no bowling alley I’ve ever seen has leather padded benches to wait your turn on.

  I swear, my heart pounds a mile a minute and I almost turn and run out of the room as anxiety grips me. You’d think I’d be used to this by now, but apparently not. There’s one face my eyes fall on almost immediately, but I drag my eyes away as Hayden’s eyes meet mine.

  God, he looks even hotter than he did last night. His bowling shirt fits him like a glove, and the sparkle in his eye when he sees me is thrilling.

&n
bsp; Meredith ushers me in, unaware of my anxiety, already ranting. “You’re late. Hop on your mark.” Then she turns and hollers louder to everyone else. “All right, people, take turns bowling and talk to each other. Needs to look like a big bowling party. Top two scores will be in the running for a solo date with Emily for lunch.”

  With a clap, she settles in to watch the monitors.

  I shove down my anxiety and wave, putting on a bright, fresh smile. “Hi, guys. Who’s ready to show me how to bowl?”

  There are some smiles and laughs, and a few hands shoot up in the air.

  “Anyone good at this?” I ask. “I haven’t bowled since I was a kid, so go easy on me.”

  Somewhere in the back, I hear a deep voice. “I never go easy on my dates. They take it the way I give it or not at all.”

  It sounds like Mark, and I see Luke laughing a bit as he nudges him and nods his head like it was a good joke.

  Uh, yeah . . . asshole alert.

  It’s one thing for a guy to boss me in the heat of the moment but a whole other thing to be frat boy, locker room mouthing about it in front of everyone. On fucking camera.

  Pretending not to be annoyed, I beam at the men as if I’m so excited to be here. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

  The staff’s already set up the computers, so all we have to do is have me push the big green button on the console to start everything. I do okay, knocking down a few pins in my first two frames. A couple of the men are actually really good, and some hit gutter balls every time, but most are somewhere in the middle.

  One of them, Shawn, is getting visibly frustrated at his continued lack of success and seems to be on the edge of a temper tantrum. Seeing his behavior really turns me off and ruins the mood. If he can’t control his temper for something like this, how mad would he get at something actually important?

  Nope. He’s gone as soon as I get the chance. As the game continues, I find myself surprised at how I’m actually getting into this, watching the guys and being analytical about their behavior, what appeals to me and what doesn’t. And whom I’d like to keep around for a while longer to find out more about.