Miss Matched

Chapter 6

I dread the wait until I can see Antonio again on the first day of filming, but as it turns out, there is plenty to keep me busy, especially with Felicity's two-week sabbatical from work. I can eventually move back to Malibu with Tay, but for the time being I'm staying at the villa.

I've taken over my mom's office, with its multi-line phone and my cell ever near my fingertips. There are two piles of important files on her desk. One pile is an enormous stack of applications from the candidates. Basically, the pool of people to be considered regardless of whether they would have one date or three.

The season has twenty-four episodes, which means eight primary candidates along with their three matches. Since Mom decided to make Antonio her pet project, that means I need to select twenty-eight participants. Primary candidate selections will be a four/four split, male to female. It feels like I have a tremendous amount of power over these peoples' lives, and I finally understand why my mother loves this, as well as her pride when a match turns into a marriage.

The other smaller pile is information about adventurous, glamorous destinations. Each must have a variety of activities and be videogenic, not to mention lend itself to fantasy-date fulfillment.

"Knock, knock." Felicity stands at the door, dressed in chic black trousers and a white silk blouse. The look is business casual, but the clothing is so well-made she looks glamorous.

Who am I kidding? She is glamorous.

"Here are my final choices for Antonio's three dates." She holds a small stack of files. "I have my preferences, but wanted you to look them over. You know him better than me."

Knife firmly planted.

"Are you quite sure you don't want to fill out an application? I could guarantee you a spot."

Although I'd never admit this to my mother, I had considered it. The problem is, no matter what I imagine could happen, I know it's a fantasy. Reality would never turn out that pretty. "I'm sure," I tell her.

"Alright, then. I'll be curious to see your recommendations. It will tell me a lot about how you feel about him."

And she twists the knife.

"Okay, I should be able to get to it this afternoon. But before I make my selections, can I have a look at Antonio's application?"

Although my mother was "not doing any work," she'd kept everything about Antonio under wraps, because my feelings could "cloud my thinking." Honestly, I was surprised she was going to let me have any say at all.

She places the files on top of the wrong stack and backs up, resting one perfectly manicured hand on the door frame, nails painted vamp red. She rests the other hand on her hip. "Um ... no."

"I don't understand why you won't let me look at his application, you've let me see everyone else's."

"Because he's revealed very personal information, and if you end up ever going on another date with him, it would give you an unnatural and unfair advantage. People should discover each other slowly."

"You mean like over a ten-hour period on the first date?" My voice drips with sarcasm.

"I'm not changing my mind on this."

"Then you have a distinct advantage in picking the right matches."

"I've already narrowed the field to seven candidates. Any of them might be a match, but I'm not sure if any of them will be. I'll let you be the judge of that." With those words of wisdom, she leaves me wondering how I am supposed to pick blind dates for the guy who has given me the best kiss I've ever had.