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He chuckles. “Did things go south after the cameras turned off? Seemed to me, and everyone else across America, you and Cassie hit it off yesterday.”
“No,” I say with a sigh, running my hands through my hair. “Everything went great.”
“What is it then?” Derek’s always been able to read in between the lines, especially with me. Today is no exception.
“I can’t get into it now. We’re about to go on air. But, let’s just say I was under a mistaken impression about Cassie’s participation in this segment… with this whole thing.”
“So?”
“So she doesn’t even have a profile onThe One. She wasn’t even in the market for a man and here I am thinking she’s forever for me.”
“Forever, hmm? Then I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to have to get over yourself and see this woman for who she is. Trust your gut.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Plus, it’s not like you’ve been completely honest, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“Dr. Walsh?”
“Oh, right.”
The door to the green room opens and couples start filing out.
“Look, I’ve got to go.”
“Let me know if I should book those tickets to Vegas.”
“I’ve got to come clean with her first. Tell her how I feel.”
“Welcomeback and a Happy Valentine’s Day to those of you at home who’ve been tuning in all week to watch each of our four couples go on a blind date, courtesy ofThe One, where you too can find what you’re looking for.”
Ashley pauses as the camera pans across the eight of us, sitting in pairs of director’s chairs, each with a phone, preloaded withThe Oneapp, in our laps. I didn’t have a chance to talk to Cassie before the segment started, but at the mention ofThe Oneshe shoots me a sidelong glance, her lips pressed together as if she’s trying to hide a smile.
There’s hope, after all.
“Our couples are in for a special treat today because the winning couple, based on the results of the game we’ll play herein just a minute, is going to win the grand prize, an all-expenses paid trip for two to the very romantic destination of Aruba in the Caribbean.”
Cassie shifts in her chair and my jaw clenches. I could not care less about the grand prize. She’s the only thing I want. I should have come clean with her yesterday as soon as I knew she was more than just a blind date.
“All right, for this game we’re going to see how compatible our couples are and how well they’ve gotten to know each other using a brand new feature onThe Onecalled Meet Your Match. The app has introduced several new games potential couples can play and to tell us all about them, we’ve got the co-founders ofThe Onehere with us this morning.”
The camera pans to two women standing at a high table who Ashley introduces. They proceed to review the app and its new features. I lean over, regardless of the cameras and microphone clipped to my collar, and whisper, “New game. A shot for every time they say, Meet Your Match.”
Cassie bites back a smile and meets my eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you yesterday. It all happened so fast, and you were so great. I thought maybe I could make time for you. For us.”
“I’m sorry, too. And I also have a confession. Something I should have told you yesterday.”
“Wait, let me guess. You’re not a chef, you’re a pastry chef.”
“Close, but no. I’m a physician, an oncologist actually.”
“What?” The blood seems to drain from her face. “Why didn’t you tell me? I mean, I told you about my mom and everything.”
“I know and believe me, looking back now I wish I would have told you the truth, but I’ve been burned before, by women who find out I’m a doctor and have all sorts of preconceived notions— good and bad. I’m sorry, but I just wanted to go on a date, to get to know you, as Chris and not Dr. Walsh.”
“But you… you save lives and I’m just a florist.”
