Free The Relationship Coach by Sylvia McDaniel

previous girlfriend.
    Candlelight flickered on their table, casting shadows across his handsome face.
    Relationships, women, dating—none of these topics appeared to bring about any expressions of excitement or even enthusiasm. Reed seemed distant at the mention of marriage or girlfriends.
    Lacey smiled. “Yes, it is a restaurant that specializes in romance.”
    More like seduction, but she would never tell him that.
    “They also have outstanding food,” he reiterated.
    “You said you used to bring your girlfriend here.”
    “We’re no longer together.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    He shrugged. “No sweat.”
    A careless attitude that made her wonder what brought about the couple’s demise. He’d either been hurt really bad or simply hid his feelings very well.
    “What about yourself? Are you currently in a relationship? Married?” he asked.
    “I’m in a committed relationship, but I’ve never married. I decided years ago to wait until I was certain before I walked down the aisle.”
    Reed leaned toward her, his brows drawn together, and he gazed at her intently. “How can you be certain about someone? You could think he’s perfect for you and wake up one day and realize you hate the guy.”
    She nodded. “True, but by knowing exactly what you want and searching for someone who meets your qualifications, your chances of appearing in divorce court are much less. There’s no certainty about anything in this life, but I like to at least make my odds a little better.”
    The waitress appeared and poured their wine. While Reed ordered, Lacey tried to figure out the man. Obviously intelligent, he’d never married. Good-looking, and yet he was alone. Reed appeared nonchalant about women in general, yet he clearly wasn’t gay. Why would a man like Reed want to make a documentary about a relationship coach?
    He didn’t seem to believe in love or relationships.
    She sipped the cool chardonnay, the flavor bursting in her mouth. “Tell me again why you’re making this documentary?”
    “I like to tell real life stories about what is going on in the world. I want to show injustices. I want to show people who are helping one another. I want to give people a view of the world they don’t see in their ordinary lives.”
    From what she could discern about his personality, he didn’t seem to believe in love or relationships.
    “Sounds impressive.”
    “Why did you become a relationship coach?” he asked.
    She sat back, wondering how much she should tell him. “My mother married five times before I left for college. My sister and I moved constantly, and we had multiple step-brothers and sisters. Turmoil was the norm between the kids, and even between some of my step-fathers and us. I decided I wanted to help people find the right person and keep other children from suffering what we’d experienced.”
    Reed chuckled. “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing because of what you just told me. I’m laughing because the thought of you in a house filled with chaos doesn’t fit. You’re so calm, cool, and collected. What you’re telling me is difficult for me to picture.”
    Lacey shook her head and frowned. “It wasn’t pleasant. One of my step-sisters stole my clothes whenever she visited for the weekend. I didn’t dare mention my favorite shirt, or it disappeared. In fact, I often told her I loved a shirt when I actually loathed it. The shirt disappeared, making me happy.”
    “Didn’t you tell your mother what was going on?” he asked, an incredulous look on his face.
    She shook her head and frowned at him. “At first, my sister and I tried to tell her, but mother was trying to win over my step-sister, Becky, who hated all of us, so there was never any punishment.” Lacey gazed at him and wondered how many relationships he’d experienced. How many women’s hearts he’d broken or how many times he’d been dumped. “Tell me more about this documentary.”
    “I brought along the production schedule.