A watched cell phone never rings. Gunner doesn’t call.

Fifteen days and I’ve waited to hear from him every flipping day. I don’t have his phone number or a way to reach him. A different guy shows up to work on the landscaping.

I’m worried that Gunner regrets everything with me. Otherwise, wouldn’t he have called?

Unless he’s not interested now. Or he thinks I’m the type who gets naked with every guy she meets.

What kind of girl breaks up with a fiancé and runs into the arms of another guy? But he’s not any guy. He’s Gunner Freaking Parrish, the boy I daydreamed about my entire sophomore year of high school.

“Kiley? What do you think?” Dad chuckles because he’s well aware that I have no idea what he’s asked me.

I scold myself for not having my mind in the right place. Dad’s agreed to talk about the show schedule and it’s time for me to get my head in the game.

He stands beside the fireplace mantle in his Armani suit, looking strangely identical to the images of him in last year’s Vanity Fair photo shoot. I’ve interrupted an informal meeting between Dad and his director, Tony Tolino.

Dad shakes his head at me. “I think some bad publicity is inevitable. The news reporters will key in on what’s happened with you and Mason. I can see the headlines now——Matchmaker Loses Her Own Man.” My dad’s matter-of-fact words clip out sportscaster style. “Not to be tactless, dear.” He adds the endearment to soften his words.

Right. My dad wouldn’t know tact if it hopscotched over and kissed his ass. Doesn’t he realize how cold he sounds? I lift my chin and form my lips into the Miss Tennessee smile that’s become second nature to me. “I don’t want to talk about Mason. I want to talk about when we begin filming and why we haven’t chosen the substitute bachelor for Forever. What’s taking so long?”

Last week, our bachelor for the season broke both legs in a skiing accident. He’s out and we need a replacement.

“We have five contenders for screen testing tomorrow.”

“Oh.” I sigh in relief. For a few seconds, I was afraid he might want to discuss postponing the season.

Tony studies me from his seat in the wingback chair to my right. He’s always liked me, and I know he generally agrees with my opinions. He’s closer in age to me than to my dad, and he’s been around for years.

Once, I had a crush on Tony. He was an intern with my dad at Rolling Hills Productions. I was a senior in high school and he a senior in college—an older man.

Those days are long past

He turns away from me to look at my dad. “Forever is in its eighth season,” he says. “The ratings still bring in the advertisers, but it’s not what it has been. We need something different this season. More challenging.”

“What if we change the rules?” I ask. “How about this: let’s give the guy a dilemma—choose love or money. Offer him either the perfect girl or cold, hard cash.”

Tony narrows his eyes and nods slowly. “I like it. It makes it a challenge for both the Matchmaker and the contestant.”

“How much do you have in mind?” Dad asks.

I shrug. “A million?”

Dad laughs. “You’re feeling pretty confident if you think you can tempt a man away from that.”

“I can do it.”

Tony taps fingers on his knee, looking as if he’s doing some mental calculation. “It’s not a bad idea. But what’s to say the guy won’t cut a deal with the match? He could promise her half the money if she waits for him.”

“No,” I answer quickly. Some people think beauty contestants can’t think on their feet. Wrong! As a former pageant queen, I can fix a high heel broken minutes before walking on stage or answer a question about solving world hunger. Each equally high pressure. “The show contract would have to be clear. If he chooses the money, the couple cannot have a relationship of any kind with each other for five years.”

“Five, huh. You think that’s long enough?”

I smile. “Sure. Would you stay away from the woman of your dreams for five years so you could keep the money?”

Tony and my dad give each other that look that says I’m naive.

“You would think you guys don’t even believe in soul mates or true love,” I say.

“I believe in ratings,” Dad says. “If you keep our audience engaged, I’ll let you have your own show next season.” Dad moves to the window. “If you two will excuse me for a minute. One of my contractors has pulled into the drive. Let me take care of him, and we’ll continue.” He strides across the room and disappears into the foyer.

Tony gets to his feet. “I’m on your side. I think the show needs something different. Viewers aren’t satisfied with the same thing every season.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Thanks, Tony.”

“I’m on the same page. You’re more than a pretty face.” He looks away from me to the doorway.

I hear the voice I’ve wanted to hear for days. Gunner.

He steps inside and the air whooshes from my lungs as if I’ve been punched. I didn’t expect him to be so gorgeous. So tall. So beefcake. Dad follows a couple of steps behind him, coming into full view. “Let’s see what an unbiased person thinks.” He motions at me. “My daughter has my director twisted around her little finger. I’d like to know what someone else thinks.”

Gunner nods, still staring at me. My belly continues to flip at the sight of him. His dark blond hair gleams with some highlights from the sun. His white, starched, cotton shirt stretches across a wide chest and tucks into dark jeans. He’s a Greek god wearing clothes—all muscle and power. If I were a model scout, I’d have a pen and contract in his hand faster than he could blink.

My gaze travels back up to meet his and there’s a glint in his eye. My appreciation doesn’t go unnoticed.

“Oh, is this necessary?” I murmur. I don’t want to talk about Forever right now. I want to grab Gunner by the arm and haul him outside to find out why I haven’t seen him for days. I want to know why he hasn’t called. I want his phone number because maybe he thinks we had a one-time thing and he doesn’t know how I feel.

I want him.

“If a man were given the choice between a woman and a million bucks, do you think he’d ever choose the woman? Would romance win over money?” Dad asks.

Gunner’s brow furrows. “Well, Ed. I don’t know much about romance.” He shifts a little and folds his arms uncomfortably.

“You don’t have to. Simply answer from your gut instincts,” Dad says. “If my daughter tried to find your soulmate, the one woman you are meant to be with, do you think she could?”

Gunner glances from me to my dad and then to Tony. “Definitely not. I don’t believe in that soulmate stuff or love.”

My heart shatters inside my chest, piercing my chest wall with tiny barbs. He doesn’t believe in love. I swear it’s blasphemy. Of all the things in my life that I hold tight, it’s the belief that I’ll find someone who’ll love me with his entire being.

“I could find someone for any man. But him,” I say with a motion toward Gunner, “he’s not the ideal guy to ask. I, um…”

Dad grins. “So, Kiley, you’re saying you couldn’t.”

“Not for him. We have to find someone in the market for love. Someone who…” Gunner’s dark gaze doesn’t break from mine for a second. If looks could kill, I’d be ten feet under. “Can we use anyone else as an example?”

“Let’s stick with Gunner,” Dad says. “The unbeliever. Could you find a woman he could walk down the aisle with or not?”

Fixing Gunner up with another woman is about as appetizing as week-old leftovers after Thanksgiving.

I shake my head. “Nope. Not him.”

“Are you saying something is wrong with me?” He folds his muscular arms across his chest and tilts his head. His beautiful eyes narrow into disgruntled slits.

I swallow and choose to nip this in the bud. I will not, cannot, won’t fix Gunner up with a woman. “Yes. That’s what I’m saying.”

“Are you gay?” Dad asks Gunner.

“Dad! He’s not gay. I can assure you.”

They all look at me as if waiting for me to say more. I press my lips together.

“Not as far as I know.” Gunner says, still staring at me.

“Nothing wrong with being gay or straight or bi,” Dad says to him. Then he glances over at Tony as if I don’t even exist in the room. “We could do something exciting on the show with that.”

“No, Dad. He’s not the right material for a reality show. He’s…he’s…” I search for the word. I wave my hand in the air. “He’s a confirmed bachelor. He’s not really the type you normally have on the show.”

Gunner shoves his hands into his worn jeans pockets. “Type?”

Dad studies me. “I think I see what she means. Last season, we had a brain surgeon who put me to sleep every time I tuned in. You’d be intriguing to the audience. A man who isn’t afraid of hard work.”

“So, you mean I’m too blue collar,” Gunner says, his unhappy gaze flicking to me. “Is that what you mean?” He directs the question at me.

“Well, no. That’s not exactly what I meant.” I fidget, something I never do.

“This show sounds more interesting all the time. Does it involve women throwing themselves at me?” Gunner asks.

“Ugh. Listen to him. Confirmed bachelor with a chauvinistic attitude.” Is that what he thought I did the other night? I scan my memory for how desperate I may have seemed.

“Then you must not be up to a challenge like me. I’m not the kind to settle for anybody. I’d need a woman who challenges me. I like to chase a little. I’d like a woman who doesn’t expect everything handed to her on a silver platter.”

My chest squeezes. If I were alone, I’d succumb to tears. But I’m not alone. The audience before me is watching this like it’s Wimbledon. My serve. “I’ve changed my mind. I could find your true love. No problem. Give me four weeks and you’ll be down on one knee proposing to your true love.”

Gunner takes a step back. “That’s never going to happen. Dream on.”

Dad’s face splits into a wide grin. I haven’t seen him this happy since the show won an Emmy. “You are exactly the type of guy we need this season.”

My dad tilts back his head in a laugh. “I love the sheer animosity between these two. Sparks are what we need. Gunner, how about being the next bachelor on Forever?”