Free The Relationship Coach by Sylvia McDaniel Page A

I thought maybe you’d like to see it. It shows who I’m going to interview and how I’m going to compare dating services to your business,” he said, pulling some folded papers out of his jacket.
    “Okay, but I have a matchmaking service,” she said, wanting to make sure he understood the difference.
    “Yes, I know, but I want to compare how you match couples to how the dating service matches couples.”
    She gazed at him as he handed her the schedule. “Some services put your picture on the website and say ‘go for it.’ There is no thought to if the two of you have anything in common or not. There are a couple of dating companies who use personality tests to match you.”
    “Then there are the free websites,” he said.
    Music played softly in the background as he gazed at her intently. She refused to acknowledge he was damn good looking or the little hitch in her breathing he seemed to create.
    “You get what you pay for. You don’t have any idea who you’re meeting. It could be a serial killer, rapist, or a cult member looking for a new wife.”
    He appeared to contemplate her remarks. “Tell me what makes your service different from other dating services?”
    “All of my clients are required to have a criminal background check, personality tests, and self-evaluation. Clients must attend at least one of my dating seminars and fill out a complete and thorough application, disclosing what they’re looking for in a mate,” she said, taking a sip of her wine.
    Reed raised his brows. “That’s a lot of personal information.”
    “Kept strictly confidential.”
    “Do you turn some people away?” he asked.
    “All the time. We only help people who are serious about finding a mate. And if you’re looking for or needing therapy, that’s not my expertise.” She glanced over the production schedule and noted with interest that he had penciled in several of her seminars. On paper, the impression appeared favorable, but she couldn’t quite get a feel for how he intended to portray her.
    “This looks acceptable. But my career, my business, is hinging on how you film this documentary. Do you believe in relationship coaches?” she asked him, needing to know.
    “Finding women has never been a problem for me.”
    She couldn’t stop the chuckle that bubbled forth. No, women would gravitate to Mr. Hunter. His looks, his smile, his flirtatious manner, so why was he alone?
    “You didn’t answer my question.”
    He sat back and stared at her, while the music played in the background. Did she really have any choice, but to accept his offer? She needed his documentary in order to impress upon the studios that she was ready for television. Yet, she hesitated, needing to know how he felt about her business.
    “I’m not convinced your service is necessary for some people.”
    A smile slipped into place as she lifted her wine glass to her lips. She’d dealt with men like him before. They came in, determined to show they didn’t need her, and after several sessions, were eager and excited to see the changes in their dating experiences.
    “Why are you doing a documentary on relationship coaches and dating services if you don’t believe in them?”
    Reed leaned into the table. “It doesn’t matter what I think. My job is to film you and let the viewers decide for themselves if what you’re doing helps people. As long as you have nothing to hide, you should look great.”
    Lacey angled toward him, wanting him to understand how what he did with the film could affect her. “Can I depend on you to represent me fairly without letting your personal prejudice show?”
    Reed sat back and smiled at her. His green eyes darkened, and he took a deep breath. “I understand your concern. But I’m a journalist. I make documentaries. Ty films and I do the editing. All I can promise you is that what I film is what the audience will see. It’s up to them to make their decision as to whether or not the service you provide is