A Match Made in Heaven

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Blurb:

A billionaire, contemporary, Black romance book. Janelle Peters, stepping into her role as a producer, never anticipated becoming the star of her own game show creation, “Match Made In Heaven.” But fate intervenes when a contestant drops out at the last minute, and Janelle finds herself in front of the camera.

Opposite her is Reece James, the dashing bachelor, who’s been subtly nudged to vote Janelle off in the initial round. Yet, as they engage on-air, they uncover an unexpected connection, full of shared interests and mutual attraction. As their encounters grow more frequent, they’re faced with a real-life plot twist neither saw coming: They’re in love with each other and can no longer hide it!

But beneath Reece’s charm lies a secret, one that could change everything for him and Janelle… Will their relationship survive whatever life throws their way? Or will Reece’s revelation turn their budding romance into just another on-screen spectacle? Find out in this African American romance story by Ashlie Brooks.

Chapter 1

“Okay everybody, let’s take five and then we’ll start recording!”

Janelle’s voice rang out in the studio. They’d finished the rehearsal, now it was time for the real thing. Match made in Heaven was Janelle’s idea. She’d thought it up a few years ago, but it had been shoved to the bottom of the pile in favor of other reality shows that were more popular with the audience. Now, she had time for her idea.

At twenty-nine, Janelle was more successful than she ever would have guessed. She made a nice amount of money, had her own place, a nice car. Still, it could get difficult working so much. She very rarely had anytime to date and when she did, they didn’t seem to ever go well. She knew it wasn’t because of her looks; not with her shapely hips, light brown skin, big brown eyes and jet black hair. She was positive it had more to do with the way she acted when she was around someone she didn’t know.

“Janelle, we have a problem,” Mya said as she walked up with her clipboard in hand, effectively shaking the woman out of her thoughts. “Angela wants to drop out.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Yeah, she says she doesn’t want to do it anymore. Thinks the bachelor is boring or some nonsense like that. She’s already packing up her stuff to leave.”

Janelle spun on her tall heels before she made her way to the dressing rooms. The other women were sitting by, watching the red haired woman gather her things. Not only was she packing, but by the scowl on her face, Janelle knew that she was angry.

“What’s wrong, Angela?”

“What’s wrong? Your bachelor is a bore and the contestants are crazy!” She said as she threw a glance at one of the other women in the room. “I don’t have time for this. I’m going home.”

“Angela please, you signed a contract,” Janelle said.

The woman scoffed, picked up her black bag before tossing it over her shoulder. “Sue me.”

The woman brushed past Janelle, the loud sound of her footsteps echoing down the hallway. Janelle looked at the other women in the room with a raised eyebrow. Whoever had succeeded in angering Angela wasn’t speaking up. She sighed.

“Hang tight, ladies. I have to find a stand in.”

Janelle couldn’t believe this was happening already. This was the first show that she’d come up with completely on her own, the last thing she wanted was to see it fail. Her first stop was the break room. It smelled like the sugary sweet donuts that adorned it every day as well as the strong smell of brewing coffee.

A few interns were sitting at the table, young, bright eyed women who’d do nicely. Besides, all they had to do was sit in for the taping then Reece could vote her off. It would keep the show on track, that was all she cared about. Janelle cleared her throat, putting on a smile as she walked up to the three women.

“I need a favor,” she said, leaning forward with her hands on the table, “I need someone to take Angela’s spot on the show. It’ll just be this once, then he’ll vote you off.”

Natalie shook her head. “I’m married,” she said pointing to her ring, “my husband would flip.”

“Ditto,” Tina answered, “except boyfriend and his family already hates me. I’d never hear the end of it.”

Janelle turned to the last woman. “Gina?”

“Gay, so very, very gay. I can’t even fake an interest.”

Janelle hung her head. Just then she heard the tapping of heels. Only one other woman worked there besides the big network execs that sometimes stopped by, Mya. She turned around quickly, a grin on her face.

“Mya…”

“Hell no. I heard you before I even came in here. No, no, no. I work behind the scenes for a reason. I don’t want to be on TV.”

Janelle slouched into a chair. “I guess that’s it. It’s all over. My show is ruined.”

Mya rolled her eyes. “Will you stop being dramatic? Why don’t you just do it?”

“Come again?”

“Take Angela’s place! It’s your show. Besides, you are single.”

“Don’t remind me,” Janelle mumbled burying her face in her hand. When she looked back up, she bit her lip. “It could work though, right? I mean, who’d find out?”

“Exactly,” Mya said excitedly. “The show must go on!”

Janelle laughed, shaking her head. “Fine. I can’t wear this,” she said gesturing to herself.

“Let’s get you into wardrobe, then we can do something about that hair and makeup.”

“I don’t wear makeup,” Janelle protested.

“You do today.”

Janelle could hear the interns laughing in the break room as she left. “Remind me to not hire them,” she said with a shake of her head.

Mya laughed. “You love those interns.”

“True.”

They walked into wardrobe together. The other contestants were already dressed to kill in dresses that clung tight to their bodies, heels that were tall and had enough cleavage out to distract any man. Janelle started sorting through the clothes with her assistant.

Mya leaned over to her. “Don’t they know he can’t see them?”

Janelle elbowed her as she stifled a laugh. She picked out a dress as well, but it was different. It was a short sun dress in a dark red color that complemented her golden brown skin. When she slipped it on, it lay against her hips, accentuating every curve of her body. She twisted back and forth in the mirror, tilted her head.

“I don’t look half bad,” she mumbled.

“Stop checking yourself out. We have to get to hair and makeup.”

Despite Mya’s words, when Janelle stepped out of the dressing room, the woman stared. Her eyes ran over Janelle’s figure slowly. Janelle grinned.

“I know right? I might dress like this more often.”

Janelle’s usual attire consisted of black, black and more black. Black skirts, black slacks, dark jeans. Occasionally a white blouse found its way into her repertoire but that was few and far between. She followed behind Mya to get her hair fixed next. Generally kept in a bun, the girl immediately took it down.

“Why did you have to take it down?”

“Buns aren’t exactly what this audience will want to see,” she said as she began to brush through her hair. “Don’t worry, I’ll make you look good,” the girl said with a grin.

Janelle sat in the chair, checking her phone for the time every five minutes. Only when she was lost in her inbox of emails did she forget about the time restraints that she had. Brushes slid over her face as she was told to close one eye then the other. Before she knew it, the girl was telling her to look in the mirror. She did.

The woman in the mirror had thick, wavy black hair that fell just to her bre*sts. Her eyes were outlined with liner making them look more dramatic along with the mascara. Her skin looked completely smooth, although she knew there was still a scar near her nose from an old accident. Her lips were a matte red, the color bringing out the natural plumpness of them. Janelle sat there staring at herself for so long that the girl had to clear her throat.

“What do you think?”

“Wow,” Janelle said as she touched her face. “I look…different.”