I look at the cameraman, sitting back in the high chair, feeling a bit of nerves tightening my stomach.

“Are we on?” I ask.

The cameraman, Joe, nods at me. “Talk whenever you’re ready.”

I pat my hair, hoping nothing is out of place and that my makeup isn’t crazy, but I see McKayla over on the side give me a thumbs-up. I take a deep breath, thinking about what I’m going to say, and then draw myself up.

“Ahem.” I clear my throat and begin speaking. “Never in a million years did I think I’d wind up on a show like this. I mean, I’ve watched enough of them to become an expert, but my experience being the first Matchmaker, thus far, has already been an eye-opener. The men seem nice, and it’s been tough cutting some of them. There’s a few I feel a spark with, so I guess we’ll see how that goes. I appreciated Hayden’s help with the bowling. There’s a few I’m not as invested in, and some have even turned me off a little. I work a lot with children, and I’m not looking for immaturity in a man. But who knows? Anything can happen.”

The comment gets a chuckle out of McKayla, and I continue. “I’m off to lunch with Lee, who seems very charming and confident. Other standouts? Matt . . . something in his eyes says he’d be fun to get to know more. Cody . . . uhm, he seems like a huge teddy bear and I kinda wanna cuddle up with him. Dean . . . kinda an All-American boy next door. Carlos . . . he promised to teach me how to dance, and that sounds fun. Yeah, there are some standouts.”

* * *

After a quick touchup to my hair, makeup, and wardrobe, I settle in at an intimate table for two on the back porch. Well, it would be intimate if there weren’t ten people around doing the set work. It’s kinda funny when Meredith tells us that this is supposed to be a bit more revealing, more connection. She wants some kind of fireworks to happen.

Apparently, that’s my job, like I have any idea how to create the ‘camera magic’ she’s demanding. Lee, who’s sitting across from me, is unaware of the turmoil wracking my mind as he smiles warmly at me. “I’m so happy to have lunch with you today, Emily. Finally, all to myself.”

I return his smile, trying to relax and nodding my head. “Yes, I want to get to know all of you better to see who I might be a match with.” I pause. God, I sound so awkward, so forced. It gives me a newfound respect for the women who seem so natural at doing these things.

“So, uh . . . tell me about yourself,” I say, flashing a smile.

Lee grins, leaning back in his seat. “Well, I used to be a major gamer geek, doing live gameplay voiceovers. I moved on to a multi-media platform reviewer who gets early releases from the studios. As an early reviewer, my videos could make or break a game release. I’ve got about fifteen million subscribers.”

I arch an eyebrow, impressed. Fifteen million and I’ve never heard of him? I have to wonder if he’s pulling my leg, heavily exaggerating. But then again, I don’t play video games or even get on social media much. “Fifteen . . . million?”

Lee smiles proudly, nodding. “Yep, my last E-Sports convention sold out within minutes. I had people lining up to watch me play and talk about the game.” He goes on to tell me about how much he’s made from endorsements and how he’s headed for even bigger things.

I’m a bit flabbergasted, both in that I didn’t even know such a thing existed and that he’s talked for about fifteen minutes straight with barely a sound from me.

After a while, he must see something on my face, because he stops. “I’m sorry, I’m talking your head off. I’m just passionate about my work and can get carried away sometimes. You get the picture. Tell me about you.”

I stare at him for a moment. I can appreciate that he’s passionate, but I admit I’m comfortable steering the conversation away from something I know so little about.

At the same time, I’m hesitant to tell him about myself. I’m boring, certainly not popular. I could embellish a little, but I remember Meredith saying that I need to be truthful. She and the producers feel that viewers connect more with leads who are authentic.

“For the past few years, I’ve been working as a nanny. I was going to school for an education degree, and this was a way for me to spend time with little ones,” I finally say. “I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much, and while I’m still taking classes, it’s on a more part-time basis so that I can take care of my kids when they need me there. They’re like my family now, their parents too.”

Lee grins. “So you’re a babysitter? I think that’s awesome. I’m sure you’re great with the kids and they love you. Besides, who doesn’t love kids?”

I shift in my seat. He’s smiling, but for some reason, the way he called me a ‘babysitter’ almost feels like he looks down on it. I do so much more than that, but maybe it’s just semantics. He probably just doesn’t know the difference. I would probably botch video game lingo too. With a smile, I try to let it go, choosing to focus on the compliment he gave me instead.

We continue our lunch, talking about the show a little bit and what we dream about for our futures. When he says he wants a big family, I can’t help it, my ovaries tingle a little as I like the sound of it. I don’t know if he’d be the one to have that big family with, but if I were only a little more forward, I might just let him take me to bed to see if we’re compatible.

I mentally laugh at myself. Like that would ever happen . . . yeah, that’s not me.

Despite the wrong foot we got off on, I can’t really find anything bad to say about Lee. He’s been interesting, smooth, and he’s even made me laugh a little. It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. It’s been a lovely first date. Still, babysitter. The way he said it won’t leave my mind. I think it wasn’t the word that irked me so much. It was that his tone sounded a bit condescending. But nothing else has sounded that way. He’s been quite charming and sweet, in fact, so maybe I should just let it go? Especially considering the stress of the awkward situation we’re in.

As we stand up, Meredith pops up from the sidelines. I swear, that lady is a ghost Jack-in-the-box, popping up at the most inopportune moments.

“Great job, guys,” she says, giving me a thumbs-up and a smile. “Just need the kiss and we’ll call the scene.” My heart jumps and my mouth goes dry.

Did she just say kiss? On the cheek, right?

I look at Lee, who’s grinning like he expects to do more than just kiss me on the cheek. I don’t know if it’s because I’m being watched or what, but I feel unsure. I mean, I expected to be kissing multiple men. That’s what the show is about, finding your perfect match. And you’re sure as hell not finding him without getting your lips wet.

“Uhm, I don’t usually kiss on the first date . . .” I reply. Shit, did I really just say that on camera?

Meredith smiles tightly at me like I’m a toddler, clearly not caring. “Prep for the kiss scene!”

I’m nearly shaking like a leaf as Lee steps up to me. He takes my hand, smiling at me. “I don’t usually kiss on a first date either, but then again, we’re both here for the same thing.” He leans in and I close my eyes.

I’m expecting a bit of sweet smack, but Lee has other plans. He presses his lips against mine and then ignites, demanding entry and tangling his tongue with mine, his fists knotting my dress at my waist and holding me tightly to him.

Holy shit, my head is swirling and my knees feel like they’ll buckle. I’ve never been kissed like this. After a moment, Lee slows down a little, pulling back, and I open my eyes. I can see the glint of satisfaction reflected in his as I suck in a gulp of air.

He watches me with a smile on his face, the corners of his lips turning up. He did go a little overboard, but I can tell he knows I liked it. As he releases me, I vaguely hear Meredith from far away. “Cut. Perfect. Let’s head down for the match scene. Emily, you’ll tell us whom you want to cut and then we’ll do the ceremony.”

Back in front of the hedge backdrop, I discuss my thoughts with Meredith, Nate, and his damn clipboard, going over everything about my date with Lee and the guys during the bowling. I tell them whom I’d like to keep and whom I’d like to see go, several times needing picture name cards to even know whom I was talking about.

Once we’ve made our list, Nate hands out the cards as the men begin to file in and stand before me with their hands held respectfully behind their backs. Every man looks a little nervous. Well, except two—Hayden and Lee. Lee is confident, and Hayden just looks a little upset.

It’s because he wanted the date with me.

“Let’s go!” Meredith yells from the sidelines, motioning at me like I’m a dog that won’t obey his master. “Andele!”

Lowering my head, I suck in a deep breath and then let it out slowly. After a moment, I raise it and let my eyes roam across all the gathered faces. “Gentlemen, I had so much fun on our group date today. Some of you showed that you were true sportsmen and consummate gentlemen. Some, however, didn’t. Unfortunately, I’ll have to send some of you home tonight.” I let out a dramatic sigh, frowning. “I want you to know it’s really hard for me to make these choices so fast, but I have to decide based on the time we have. Please don’t take it personally . . . you’re just not the perfect match for me.”

I look over to the sidelines, where McKayla and Brad have shown up. They’re both grinning at me and giving me thumbs up.

I tear my eyes away from them, even though their presence and support give me confidence to keep going in some weird way. “So, without further ado, Lee. We had the date together, and it’s time to see if we’re a match.”

Grinning like a wolf that’s caught his prize, Lee walks up to me with his card.

“Ready?” I ask.

Lee nods. “Yes, ma'am.”

He turns his card over at the same time I do, revealing our split image on both cards. I give him a radiant smile. “Lee, we’re a match.”

He grins, giving me a hug and whispering in my ear, “Thank you, gorgeous,” and goes back over with the group of men.

I swallow, keeping my eyes neutral just like Meredith instructed so the viewing audience won’t know whom I’m picking next whenever this airs. I work down the rest of the front row of men. Mark, Luke, Shawn, and two more guys who just haven’t stood out are cut.

And then there were ten.