A Match Made in Heaven

Chapter 2

“You’re here early too,” Reece said, a grin on his lips.

Janelle swallowed hard. The man was a dream. Smooth, cocoa skin, big, brown eyes. There was obvious muscle underneath the clothing. His smile however was the real highlight. He had perfect teeth that seemed to shine and make her melt at the same time.

“I like to be on time.”

“Me too,” Reece said with a chuckle. He pulled the door open for her, “After you.”

The coffee shop was filled with the aroma of brewing coffee beans and sweets. They ordered big cups of coffee before finding seats by a large picture window. Janelle couldn’t help the nervousness she now felt. It was different being in the studio where she felt she was in control. Here, it was different.

“So,” Reece said breaking the silence, “I got you something.”

Janelle raised an eyebrow. “Really now? What did you get me?”

Reece dug into the bag that had been slung over his shoulder. He pulled out a package, wrapped in brown wrapper. She took it from him slowly. He smiled.

“Go ahead, open it. I think you’ll like it.”

Janelle peeled back the paper slowly. Beneath, she could just make out the words on the cover. She laughed as she pulled the paper off a little more quickly, revealing the thick book underneath.

“History of the World,” she said with a shake of her head, a smile on her lips.

“Yeah, you said your copy was falling apart. I figured I’d go pick one up for you. It’s a thank you, for getting me on the show.”

“Well, thank you. I’m actually really excited about this! Mulder has been scratching at my old one for far too long.”

Reece raised an eyebrow. “Mulder? As in the X-Files character?”

Janelle laughed. “Oh, Mulder’s my cat. I have a thing for science fiction,” she said, trying to keep the embarrassment off of her face. “I know, that’s childish…”

“No,” Reece said, shaking his head, “that’s not childish at all. I love science fiction too. You know, you’re too hard on yourself and the things you like.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. I mean, you’re a great producer. You’re into things like history and science fiction. You have a great laugh. I think everything about you makes you unique.”

“Yeah,” Janelle said with a scoff, “too unique. Most men can’t handle any of that.”

“Well,” Reece said with a chuckle, “I’m not most men.”

Janelle could feel herself becoming embarrassed all over again. She didn’t know what Reece’s angle was, but he was having an effect on her that she hadn’t experienced in a long time. He must have seen her getting uncomfortable, because he quickly changed the subject.

“What’s your favorite chapter in the book?”

Janelle smiled. She was glad that Reece quickly changed the subject. It was nice that he could see her struggling with the attention and go in a different direction. The only problem was that it made her want him even more.

They spent the rest of their time talking about their favorite parts of history. Janelle was amazed with his knowledge, the way he could recall dates off of the top of his head. She was impressed. By the time Janelle glanced at her watch, it was after nine.

“Wow! I didn’t realize how late it was,” she said as she took another sip out of her second cup of coffee. “I should get going. There’s a lot to do on the show tomorrow.”

“I should get going too I suppose,” Reece said reluctantly. “Can we do this again?”

Janelle bit her lip. “I don’t know if we should.”

“It’s just coffee.”

She grinned. “Okay fine. You’ve convinced me,” she said with a chuckle. “This was fun.”

They walked out of the coffee shop together. The night air had turned chilly, autumn was finally settling in. He walked her to her car. As she started it, he waved, a smile on his face. Janelle felt a familiar throbbing that made her shake her head. She had to get out of there.

The drive back home, she kept a smile plastered to her face. He was more than she thought he’d be. Funny, smart, sexy, he was a package. She sighed. Too bad dating him now would be the end to her show. That, she couldn’t have. Not when the show had been her dream for so long.

Janelle walked into her empty apartment. She didn’t mind being alone, but the older she got, the more it weighed on her. There had never really been a man that could catch her attention. Or one that wasn’t intimidated by her success. Reece didn’t fall into either of those categories.

“Come on, Mulder,” she said, scooping up her cat, “it’s time for bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”

*****

Reece watched Janelle drive away. She had been the first woman in a long time to peak his interest. The woman was successful, smart, down to earth. He could already feel himself developing feelings for her. He wanted her.

When she was just a dot on the horizon, Reece rounded the building. His car was parked on the other side, his real car. It was a sleek, black BMW, newly purchased. He slipped behind the wheel before he started off for home in the opposite direction.

It took a while to get there from the neighborhood where they met. Reece had a secret. He wasn’t just an ordinary man. Although he did love art, he didn’t own a gallery or paint expect in his spare time. He pulled up inside of his garage, the two story house looming beside it.

Reece parked the car next to two others before he hopped out. For the show, he’d rented a place that wasn’t too far from the studio. It was over sized; six bedrooms, five bathrooms, an entertainment room, a basketball court out back, a pool and Jacuzzi. He would have gone for something smaller, but he still had business deals to make, clients to entertain when he wasn’t at the studio.

He walked through the front door and sighed. Another empty house. The bigger they were, the more he was reminded that he still didn’t have anyone. That was heartbreaking and disappointing. Reece had tried to date, tried to give women a chance, but it never worked out. They didn’t want him for him. The money was always the most enticing thing about him in their eyes.

Reece wasn’t sure how he’d come up with the idea. He thought perhaps it might have been Daphne, his little sister’s idea. She’d once told him that the money would always bring the thirsty women, the ones who tried to get pregnant just to hold on to him and his cash. Daphne believed that without the money, he’d find the perfect woman.

The man grinned as he picked up the mail from the entrance hallway and flipped through it. Janelle wasn’t like that. She was sweet and obviously wasn’t used to dating by the way she’d acted at the coffee shop. He wanted to ask her on an actual date, but he could tell by the hesitation in her eyes that she probably would turn him down.

That thought brought a frown to his face as he tossed the mail down. He had a business meeting in the morning, then it would be back to the studio for more filming. Reece flipped on the light in his bedroom before he began to slip out of his clothes. The master suite was huge and filled with antique mahogany furniture and a large king sized bed that seemed to take up a lot of space, but still a lot more remained. The colors were all warm, chocolate browns and forest greens, his favorite colors. He crossed the room to the bathroom.