Chapter 13
13
Michelle finally told Jackie about meeting Clint and explained that she was taking a break from the madness.
A few days later, Jackie knocked before she barreled through Michelle’s kitchen door, all but skipping like a schoolgirl. She waved a paper in her hand.
“I think I’ve found the answer for you.”
“What do you mean?” Michelle asked.
Jackie sat beside Michelle at the table while she enjoyed her morning coffee. “Hear me out.”
When Jackie started a conversation with those words, Michelle knew there was a plan that she’d probably hate. She set her mug and phone on the table and then gave Jackie her undivided attention.
Jackie slid the paper toward Michelle. “There’s a dating site that may be more what you’re looking for.”
Michelle looked at the paper and read the words “Net Worth Statement” across the top. She narrowed her eyes, wondering where this was going. “Why would I need a net worth statement for a dating site?”
Jackie held up her hands as if trying to calm Michelle down. “Since you’ve had two bad experiences, I thought there had to be something else out there.”
“Yes, but . . .”
“Michelle, remember when Bill died and you had to meet with the attorney?”
“Of course.”
“And remember how shocked you were when you found out how much money Bill had invested?”
“Investments were his job. It was the real estate that really shocked me.”
“Right, and because of all that, he left you quite comfortable and free to follow your dream of writing books and enjoying life.”
“Yes, but . . .”
“This site is kinda like a dating site for the stars. I mean, not everyone is a celebrity, but you must have a net worth of at least two and a half million to apply. One of the stipulations is to have a net worth statement signed by your accountant. It helps to guarantee that everyone is on the same footing, so to speak. No one looking for sugar mamas or daddies. No one pinching pennies so tight that they squeak. You aren’t looking for a commitment, and chances are, neither are these people. They’re CEOs, movie stars, entrepreneurs, who knows who else. They’re too busy for normal dating, so...” She shrugged.
Michelle sighed. “What’s the name of the site?”
“ MyPrivacy . See, even the name suits you.”
Michelle took the paper and looked at it again. Could this be the answer? She chewed her thumbnail as she read over the document. In fine print at the bottom was the guarantee that the only people who saw the document were their corporate accountants in New York.
“I’ll ask Douglas if he knows this company. And if he feels that they’re reputable, I’ll have him fill it out.” She smiled. “Happy?”
“Very!” Jackie grabbed her hands and squeezed them.
Michelle waited until Jackie left to investigate this site. She had to admit, she was excited, but it sounded too good to be true. As she read all about this group, she called her accountant.
“Michelle? To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Good morning, Douglas. I need to ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“Have you ever heard of RBMD Accountants in New York?”
He coughed. “Are you looking to change firms? Michelle, have I done something to cause you to pull your business?”
“Oh, heavens no!” She closed her eyes, realizing that she probably just gave him a small heart attack. “Douglas, I’m looking to join, um, a group, and they have a net worth requirement. I meet the requirements, but they insist on proof from my accountant. They use RBMD, and you know me, I’m nervous about sending this kind of information to anyone. I wanted to make sure they’re above board.”
“RBMD is one of the biggest corporate accounting firms in the country. Their reputation is stellar. I think your information would be safe with them.”
“Would you fill out this form for me? I can email it to them myself.”
“Certainly.”
“I’ll swing by before lunch.”
“See you then.”
Jackie had a video conference meeting that afternoon, so Michelle ran errands to kill time while Douglas worked on the statement. Who would have ever thought someone would need to prove their net worth to get a date? She smiled. She thought joining any dating site was crazy, but this was her diving off a cliff, leaving her comfort zone in the dust, and trying something she normally wouldn’t do.
Her thoughts were on this dating site as she mindlessly shopped for groceries. She saw Albert from the bar last week. She waved but kept walking toward the checkout line.
Driving toward Douglas’s office, she thought about the last couple of weeks. A dodged bullet, two bad dates, and two deleted dating apps made her feel like she was stuck in the past. Was finding a gentleman her age too much to ask? She wasn’t necessarily looking for a rich man, just one who wanted to be with her. If his date was a romantic walk and a picnic, then she’d be happy with that. Or even to drive out to see the elk at the reserve. But she didn’t want to feel like spending money sent her straight to hell. She slammed her hand on the steering wheel. Why was she justifying joining this dating site? She’d give it the same chance that she gave the others. She smiled at her decision just as the car behind her blew its horn, reminding her that the light was green.
Twenty minutes later, she’d retrieved the form and unloaded her groceries. It was time. She sat at her computer and submitted her application. Once submitted, the site provided a secure link to upload her net worth statement directly to the accounting firm. The site said to expect a response time of one to two weeks to give their accountants time to review and verify the numbers.
With that complete, she called Jackie.
“Did you do it?” Jackie asked as soon as she answered the call.
“Yes, and I’ve thought about what I want in a man. He doesn’t have to be rich, Jackie.”
“I know that. And if you meet a nice man around here who makes you happy, so be it.”
“Right, but I also want a man who knows how to treat a woman, ya know?”
“Preaching to the choir, girl.”
“Maybe my expectations are too high?”
“Maybe more women should keep their expectations high, and the right man would find them.”
“Do you really think that?”
“Yes, Oscar has shown me that I’ve been wasting my time on these screwed up, lazy men.”
“I’m glad things are going well for you.”
“What happens now?”
“I wait.”
“Wait?”
“Yeah, they have to review my application. If they accept it, they’ll email me with a link. If they don’t, they’ll send me a rejection letter like college.”
“How long?”
“They said a week or two. The accountants need time to verify the information.”
“That’s not so bad, I guess.”
“It isn’t. Plus, it’ll give me time to reset my thoughts about dating. I’m just going to live life. If or when I meet someone, I’ll take it from there. With the other sites, I felt like it was a meat market. Just because I’m on the site doesn’t mean I’m prowling for a man every day. It meant I was open to meeting people. I didn’t like feeling that whenever I left my house, I was looking to hook up with someone.”
“Is that really how you felt?”
“It was.” Michelle sighed. “Sarah invited me to a church function this weekend. I agreed to go, just for something different to do.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy that.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Going out tonight?”
“Nope, I’m settling in for six hours of Colin Firth.”
“What? Six hours?”
“The Pride and Prejudice mini-series. I love that version so much, and six hours of film is faster than me reading the book again.”
“True. Want company?”
“I’d love some. Wine is breathing. Pizza will be here in an hour, and the movie begins shortly after. If you want dessert, you better bring it yourself.”
Michelle heard scuffling in the background. “I’m on my way. Shit. The bakery closes in half an hour,” Jackie said as Michelle heard a door slam.
“See you soon.”