may need to consider adding more staff.”
Walking her to the door, he said, “Call me after you talk to Reed and get the documentary finalized. That’s the key to making this happen.”
***
Lacey rode down the elevator, her mouth turned up in a grin that must have been blinding to the people around her. Sure, she was afraid Reed had found another relationship coach, but they were so close to achieving her dream. He couldn’t have found someone else. She would throw herself at his feet and beg if that’s what it took to be part of his film.
Barely concealed restraint kept her from yanking her cell phone out and calling Amanda. Excitement danced like it was Carnival season in Brazil along her nerve endings, making her legs want to break out in a dance in the parking garage. She forced herself to remain calm until she reached her car.
She ran to her car, jumped in, and slammed the door shut. She released the scream of excitement bottled inside. People around her must have thought she was nuts, but who cared. She was close to realizing her dream.
Finally, she pressed the Bluetooth in her car.
“Hello,” Amanda said.
“Are you ready for television?”
“Oh, my God, he’s going to do the show?”
“Well, not yet, but we’re close. The problem we have is name recognition. When I mentioned we’d had the offer of a documentary, Stan reacted like a thousand watts had zapped him. Once the networks learn a documentary will be coming out about us in four to six months, he thinks we’ll have a deal.”
“But you turned that down,” Amanda said, disappointment vibrating loud and clear through the car.
“Yes, I did. His card is in my top desk drawer. Call him and tell him I need to meet with him immediately. Today, tonight, tomorrow, just as soon as possible.”
“What if he’s found someone else?”
“What if he hasn’t?” Lacey responded, trying to remain upbeat and optimistic. “Call him. Now.”
“I’m on it, boss.”
The phone line went dead.
Lacey grinned as she drove to her next appointment. She needed to research documentaries. She didn’t want to be a complete idiot when it came to what Reed would be doing, besides following her around and filming her. Now she needed to choose which of her clients she thought would work well with the camera crew.
But first she had to cinch the deal with Reed.
***
Reed’s cell phone rang, and he glanced down at the number, Mate Incorporated. He let the call go to voice mail, wondering what they wanted. The scene sequence for the documentary was completed. So far he’d found two disgruntled clients of Lacey’s company. He’d lined up a psychotherapist to talk about the differences between coaches and therapy. Dr. Lewin had repeated there was no accreditation or even a governing body to regulate relationship coaches. Anyone could hang out a shingle with promises they would help you find the person of your dreams.
Filming Lacey’s business would have been easier, the film would have been better, but he’d find a way to get what he needed.
His phone beeped, letting him know there was a message. Reed dialed his voice messages and heard Lacey’s assistant ask him to call her. Lacey wanted to schedule another meeting with him.
Reed smiled. Two could play this cat and mouse game. He glanced at his watch. It was ten. This morning he had errands to run, and later this afternoon, his high school filmmaking club met. Lacey Morgan would just have to wait.
***
Lacey tried her best to show interest in the apartment she and Dean were being shown. A nice three-bedroom with a study, fireplace, twenty-five hundred square feet, in one of the nicest areas. The apartment even had a garage for one of their automobiles.
The agent switched on the lights as she walked through the apartment. “This is our largest apartment. We have washer/dryer hookups and, if you don’t own your own, we have a rental company that offers them to you at twenty-five dollars a month. Our
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