Page 58 of Pity Parade

John and I went out on four dates as many years ago. I don’t remember why there wasn’t a fifth, so I tell her, “Sure. I don’t think things are going to work with me and Daniel.”

“It’s weird how we can think someone is great and then later on wonder how that was possible.”

“I think my disinterest might have something to do with the fact that Daniel dumped me before.” I explain, “I’m not still mad about it, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t on my mind.”

“Did John dump you or did you do the honors?” she wants to know.

“I don’t remember,” I tell her. “I was about to start filming the third season of Midwestern Matchmaker and I was busy. We shot that one in LA, so it felt like I was always on a plane. I think we just drifted apart after too long a span between dates.”

“What does John do?” Paige asks.

“He used to manage a restaurant on Clark Street, but he was also an aspiring playwright. I have no idea what he’s up to now.”

“Okay. I’ll call him and set him up for the day after Daniel leaves. Let’s hope he’s available.”

“Thanks, Paige,” I tell her. “Let me know what he says.” As I walk away, I wonder if things will go better with John than they did with Daniel. I don’t exactly have high hopes, but I suppose it’s still better to try to get out of this show with Tom than to just accept my fate.

I jog down the hall of the country club to catch up with Heath and Prim. They’re in the parking lot by the time I reach them. After getting into my car, I look behind me to make sure Heath sees me before pulling out of my space.

Once we get to my place, I run over to Heath’s car to tell him I’ll only be a couple of minutes. “Can I come up and use your bathroom?” Prim asks.

“Sure.”

She follows me into the building and as we climb the stairs, she says, “Heath has a thing for you.”

Once I reach the landing, I turn around and tell her, “I don’t think so.”

“You were all he could talk about on the way over here.”

I can’t help but ask, “What did he say?”

“He talked about what an asset it would be to have you host dating getaways. He talked about how talented you are, and I believe the last thing he said was that he liked that you were so tall. He finds it refreshing to look a woman in the eye.”

Inserting my key into the lock, I laugh. “None of that sounds like romantic interest.”

“You didn’t hear how he said it.”

I push open the door and step inside. “Yeah, well, I’m not about to throw myself at a man who doesn’t want the same things I do.”

“Smart,” she says. “But I think Heath might be considering reevaluating what he’s looking for.”

“Trust me, Prim. He knows what he wants, and he’s made it clear he’s not going to change that for anyone.”

“You like him,” she guesses.

There’s no use denying it. “I do, but I’m also a matchmaker.” I reiterate my earlier thought. “The first thing I tell singles looking for love is to believe a person when they tell you who they are.”

She shrugs. “I get it.”

“Do you really need to use the bathroom?”

She shakes her head. “No, I just wanted to let you know what my impression of the situation was.”

“That was nice of you,” I tell her. Then I suddenly get an idea. “What are you looking for in a man?”

“I’d like to date someone who spends a lot of time outside. Obviously, someone near or in Elk Lake, and hopefully someone who isn’t opposed to a serious relationship.”

“I know of two men right off the bat that might fit your criteria.” I tell her, “One is the tennis pro at the country club and the other is a landscape architect. Would you like me to try to set something up for you?”

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