Ready for Her Close-up

“The market can be unexpected. I’m trying to diversify now to make sure we have more of a toehold in other segments,” Russell said. That had been one of the reasons why he’d agreed to be on the show. He needed potential investors to see that he was a changed man.

“No kidding. We added an exclusive wife-finder for some of our more eccentric customers,” Conner said.

“What does that mean?” Russell asked.

“We vet the woman and send her to the client, and he approves her and marries her without any dating. It’s a very new service and a niche market. But a very profitable one.”

“That’s interesting,” Russell said. He guessed that everyone was scrambling in this new economy to figure out ways to stay ahead.

“Do you need anything from me?” Conner asked.

“No. I’m good. Poker on Thursday night?”

“Definitely. I want a chance to win back some of my money.”

“Good luck with that. The cards favor me and always have.”

“I know. I remember when we first met and you’d win enough money at the tables in Monaco to make your payroll.”

“Those days are long behind me,” Russell said. “But my ability at the poker table hasn’t diminished.”

“It might have. I feel the need to remind you whose country you are in,” Conner said.

“I haven’t lost yet,” Russell said.

“That only means you are due for a fall,” Conner said as he walked away. Russell watched his friend leave and took a deep breath. The air was chilly this evening but not cold. He suddenly felt a sense of peace he hadn’t felt in a long time.

The production crew left the rooftop as a group. He and Conner made their way toward the elevators, with Gail and Willow following them. They were still talking.

“I got a call from a friend of yours,” Conner said, turning to the women.

“Mine?” Willow asked.

“Yes, Nichole … I can’t remember her last name. She wants to interview me about Matchmaker Inc.”

“She works for America Today so she’s legit,” Willow said.

The elevator arrived.

“Do you want to chat about it quickly?” Willow asked.

“I’d like that,” Conner said. “See ya later, Russell.”

Russell waved goodbye to his friend as the doors opened. Dylan, his executive assistant, was on the elevator, a concerned look on his face.

“Hiya, boss. We have a situation,” Dylan said, stepping out of the elevator.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Gail said, backing away from the two men.

“Wait, Gail. Are we still on for that nightcap?” he asked.

“Yes. The lobby bar?”

“Sounds good. Twenty minutes?”

“Yes,” she said, getting on the elevator.

Russell waited until the doors closed before asking Dylan, “What is so important it needs my attention?”

“Penny Thomson is in the lobby demanding to see you. I tried to get her to wait in my office, but she wouldn’t.”

Great. Not what he needed this night, but he’d handle it. “Please make sure that Gail is taken care of until I’m done with Penny.”

“I’m happy to, boss,” Dylan said.

“Never mind, I’ll talk to her. You tell Penny I’m on my way, but I will only meet with her in the office, not in the lobby,” Russell said.

He took the elevator to the lobby and, once there, noticed that Willow had rejoined Gail and the two were talking.

“I’ll try.”

Dylan walked away, and Russell made his way to Gail. “I’m sorry, but I think my situation might take a little longer than anticipated. Can we meet in forty-five minutes instead?”

She flushed and looked at Willow. “We’re having a drink. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine. We want to capture the phases of your relationship, not every second. Enjoy yourselves.”

Gail turned back to him with a slight smile on her face. “I’ll be down there in forty-five minutes, then.”

“Good.”

Russell left the women and headed down to the lobby and the office behind the check-in desk. Dylan was standing outside of it when Russell approached.

“I always thought Penny would be nicer in person,” Dylan said. “Sorry about that, sir. I should have kept that to myself.”

“You probably should have, but I happen to agree that she can be a bit of a bitch.”

Dylan nodded and then walked away.

Russell opened the door and saw Penny sitting on the edge of the desk. She had her iPhone in one hand and was delicately tapping out a message with the tip of one French-manicured fingernail.

“It’s about time you got here. I’ve been tweeting about the inconvenience of waiting on a former lover.”

“Nice. Good to see you too, Penny.”

“Yeah, right. You made it clear you didn’t want to see me again,” she said.

She was a Hollywood starlet so beautiful that she’d floored Russell the first time he saw her. It had been impossible to think of anything but sex. But, after spending two days in bed with her, Russell knew it had been a mistake. Penny was vapid and so self-absorbed, it was impossible for her to be aware of anyone else.