-Ten rapid-fire questions (know what they are ahead of time, but don’t preplan the answer)
-Give one sentence of why I’m looking for love
Cutaway:
-Frankie, Suzy, and Leslie each give a sentence on the man they’d pick for me
-A grumpy Charlie issues a warning that he’ll be watching
Grand Finale:
-Call to action reminding them to cast me
-Skate away from the camera and out of the frame as Cindy music plays
“That looks much better, dear,” Suzy said.
Gemma clicked her mobile screen off. “Do you mind if Frankie and I film the clip of you when she gets back? I’m not sure if we’ll be able to come back to Lake Wakahanra before I leave the area.”
“Of course not.”
“If you’re done with theCupid’s Arrowplanning, we can talk about the other elephant in the room.” Mr. T rubbed his hands together. “Suzy, the list.”
Standing up, Suzy walked over to the antique desk that held the home’s landline and removed a notepad from the top drawer.
Curiosity boiled up inside of Gemma. “What’s on this list?”
Suzy’s cheeks colored a rosy shade of pink. “Rich and I were discussing a few of the single young men we knew who might be your type.”
“I don’t know?.?.?.” It had never actually occurred to her that Suzy and Mr. T might take the idea of her dating a bloke from the area seriously. She accepted the notebook from Suzy and started reading. “Jack Conti, Brandon Webb, and Tim Lyons.”
“Jack’s a veterinarian. Brandon is a yoga instructor. Tim is a teacher.” Suzy returned to the couch. “Based on what Charlie said, you’re looking for a more normal man. These lads are as normal as they come.”
“And I’m guessing you’ve personally given all of them a background check going back two or three generations, Mr. T?” Gemma quipped.
“Of course,” he replied smugly.
She chuckled. “And if I had to ask which one you’d recommend contacting first about a date it would be?.?.?.”
Suzy clamped a hand over her husband’s mouth. “All three men are wonderful people. You should take the time to get to know each one of them for yourself. Don’t let our opinions influence you one way or the other.”
Catching his wife’s eye, Mr. T relaxed and nodded. Suzy peeled her hand off his mouth. “What Suzy-kins said. It’s for us to know and for you to find out.”
“I guess if that’s the case, then I’ll just have to start at the top of the list and work my way down, beginning with Jack. Maybe I can set up a date for coffee in the next day or two.”
Chapter 3
Gemma smelled the animals and chemical disinfectant the moment she walked into the empty waiting area of the Grizzly Springs Animal Hospital.
A receptionist in a floral scrub top wearing a phone headset glanced up from her computer screen. “Can I help you?” Her eyes seemed to be searching for an animal.
“Cheers. I’m Gemma. Jack asked me to meet him here for lunch.”
The receptionist’s eyes widened. “Oh, you’re Gemma. Dr. Conti is just finishing up with a patient. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
Gemma thanked her and sat down. Portraits of various cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds adorned the wall. The far corner of the room opposite the reception desk was packed floor to ceiling with cases of wet and dry pet food.
Her eyes traveled to the set of kennels labeled “Adoption.” She perked up, hoping to see a few puppies or kittens playing, but it appeared that they were all empty.
