A Match Made in Heaven

Chapter 3

Janelle had never been especially good at social interaction. When it came to her work, she knew what she needed and what needed to be done. Her confidence in her job was part of the reason she had the position she did now. Outside of that, she generally didn’t know what to say. Socially awkward. That was how Clark often described her. While other people were partying, she was making friends with the resident cat. Animals had always been kinder to her than humans.

So, she couldn’t understand why talking to Reece, while sometimes nerve wracking, could be so easy. She pushed herself out of her seat as they began to reset. Walking onto the set, she slipped on her headset. Now, she could see both the contestants and Reece. As she came into view, he winked at her before he grinned.

Stop it, heart!

Janelle waved back to him lightly before she focused her attention on the show. It was going smoothly, very smoothly. Despite their upset the first day of shooting, it looked like the show was actually going to go well without too many problems. She folded her arms as she watched, a smile on her face. Her first successful show. It would be the validation that she so desperately needed in her career.

Mya bumped her arm. “Quit smiling at the bachelor.”

“I wasn’t!”

A few people turned to look at her. Janelle could feel her face get hot. She glared at Mya who was obviously stifling a laugh behind her stony exterior.

“I could fire you, you know?” Janelle said as she glared.

“Please, what would you do without me?”

“Do your job!” Janelle scolded before they turned their attention back to the set.

It was a productive afternoon. Janelle was happy with the way the show was coming along, but she still didn’t seem to be able to stop gazing at Reece. Every time he caught her eye, there was a little spark of electricity that traveled up her spine. She couldn’t stop smiling at him.

“That’s it for the day,” she called after their last take. “Good job everyone! Be back here tomorrow bright and early to film the next episode.”

Janelle watched the contestants file off of the stage. First the women, then Reece. They had to keep them separate to maintain the integrity of the show. Once the stage was clear, Janelle took time to talk to Mya before she went in search of Reece. She had a few points to go over with him, then edit the tapes with Mya. She couldn’t wait to get home. The thought of him being at her place made her nervous, but she couldn’t wait to see him without everyone else around.

She walked down the hall saying goodnight to the people who were leaving early. When she turned down Reece’s hallway, she saw something that made her stop in her tracks. A woman, Patricia she thought she remembered the woman’s name being, was standing at Reece’s door, fiddling with it. The woman was concentrating on opening the door so hard, that she didn’t hear Janelle swiftly approaching her.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The woman jumped. She was short, no more than five feet with light brown skin and big, brown eyes. Her chestnut colored hair was long. The woman had a small figure, but was curvy in the right places. Janelle raised an eyebrow as the woman turned around, something metal in her hand.

“What are you doing?” Janelle asked again, this time anger filtering into her voice.

“I -I was just…”

“Trying to see Reece?” Janelle added for her. “No one is allowed to see the bachelor before the finale.”

“I know,” the woman said, her voice almost whiny. “I just wanted-”

Janelle narrowed her eyes. “There is no ‘I just wanted’ Patricia. You are not allowed to see the bachelor before the finale, do I make myself clear?”

Patricia’s nice demeanor seemed to quickly fade. “Yeah.”

“I’m serious,” Janelle said taking a step closer. “If I catch you doing anything like this again, I’m canceling your contract. You’ll go home with nothing.”

“Look,” Patricia said as she propped her hands on her hips. “It’s already very obvious that he likes me. I just wanted to say hi to him.”

“Go,” Janelle said pointing down the hallway, “Now.”

Patrica didn’t argue, but the expression on her face wasn’t the friendliest. She turned on her heels, tossed her hair before she was down the hall, swaying her hips as she went. Janelle scoffed.

“This show seems to bring out the craziest people,” she mumbled, shaking her head before she knocked on Reece’s door.

One thing was for sure, she’d have to keep a closer eye on the contestants. Janelle couldn’t believe that woman. He obviously liked her? She barely remembered the woman’s answers and she’d sat right beside her. Janelle highly doubted that Reece had a thing for her.

Maybe he does. You weren’t exactly paying attention to the other women, she thought to herself as she heard the dressing room door unlock. Reece was standing there, a smile on his face.

“I think we said eight,” he teased.

Janelle laughed. “I’m aware. I just wanted to talk to you about the show before you leave.”

“Come on in,” he said holding open the door to his dressing room.

Janelle stepped inside. She wondered if she’d ever get enough of walking into that room? A part of her didn’t think she would. They discussed the show for a little while before Janelle excused herself.

“More editing. A producer’s work is never done,” she said as she stood up from the chair she’d been sitting in.

“I’m sure you’ll make the show amazing. I’ll see you tonight,” he said as he let her out.

Janelle grinned as she started to walk away.

“Oh, Janelle?” Reece called.

“Yes?”

“I love your glasses. You look really nice today.”

Janelle could feel the heat spread through her body to her face. She knew that big, stupid grin was on her face again, but there was no wiping it off. She was so stumped that she didn’t know how to respond. Instead, she nodded her head and walked away quickly, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the hallway as she retreated. Janelle refused to even turn around. She had a suspicion that Reece would still be smiling at her brilliantly.