Chris walked briskly through the halls of Matchmaker Productions. Alli had called him to her office for an important meeting. He rounded the corner and collided with someone. Papers flew everywhere.
"Excuse me," Candice said frantically trying to retrieve the papers from the floor.
"Watch where you're going," Chris said a bit annoyed.
Candice looked up to see who she ran into. "You're Chris Kirkpatrick, aren't you?" she asked suddenly feeling embarrassed.
"Yeah, and you're making me late," he said handing her a stack of papers.
Candice looked shocked, "You don't have to be so rude. I'm not the one racing through an office building." She wasn't embarrassed anymore, she was just pissed. "By the way, if you're looking for Alli and Jill's office, it's that way," she said pointing in the opposite direction.
He knew he deserved that, "Yeah, I am."
"Follow me," she instructed.
They walked down the hall in silence.
When they reached the office Candice reached to open the door and Chris stopped her, "I'm really sorry I was so rude back there," he said sincerely, "I don't know what got into me."
Candice felt her face get hot. She knew she was out of line for snapping at him too, "I'm sorry too," she said starting to smile, "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
"Truce?" Chris asked holding out his hand.
Candice reached for his hand and shook it, "Truce," she agreed.
They walked into the office to find Alli and Jill sitting there with Joey and JC.
"What's going on?" Chris asked. He couldn't imagine why they were all there.
"We're just waiting for Lance and Justin. Then we can get the meeting started. We're having some problems with the show and we need your help," Jill told him.
"What, you need me to run the cameras or something?" he asked still confused.
"No, you'll be helping from in front of the camera," Jill said.
Justin and Lance walked in, "Cool place you got here," Justin commented.
"Thanks," they said in unison.
"We have no clue why we are here," Lance told them.
Jill stood up and explained the whole mess about the WB network and how they were in a bind and needed them to be contestants on the show. "I don't usually beg like this, we're just really desperate right now," she finished.
Justin and Chris looked at each other and broke up in laughter.
"What's so funny?" Alli asked.
"Nothing," Justin managed between laughs, "This is gonna be cool."
"And it's gonna get our faces on American TV," JC pointed out.
"I'm cool with it," Chris said.
Lance didn't look so sure, "Does this mean that if we get picked we actually have to go out on Valentine's Day? I kinda already had plans," he told them.
"Do these plans involve Jennifer?" Joey asked teasing.
"We understand that you probably already have things going on. That's why we just give you the money and let you choose what to do," Alli told him.
"Yeah, and since there are five of you, you have a chance of not getting picked," Jill finished.
"Don't worry, man, Jenn will understand. You're forgetting I have plans with Andie too," Justin said, "We can go out on the show date during the day and with Jenn and Andie later that night."
Jill started to explain how the show works. "We bring the three bachelors out first, introduce them, and then bring out the girl," she went on, "There will be a wall separating you from her. She all her questions and then choose a date."
"For any of you who haven't seen our show, we bring you back the next day to talk about your date and to see if we made a love match, or if you have "Chemistry", hence the name of the show," Alli continued.
"So, when will we be taping the show?" Chris asked.
"Our producers want the show to air on Saturday for a special Valentine's Day event with the studio, so we'll be taping on Friday," Jill told him.
"I think we're all in," Joey said.
"I have another idea for the show," Candice said.
"Great, what do you have?" Alli asked.
"Well, since the guys are singers, we have them close the show with a love song or something. What do you think?" Candice suggested.
"That's a really good idea," Jill said enthusiastically, "It will be a great way to show off your talent."
"We have waivers we need you all to sign before we go on the air Friday. Candice will get with each of you to make sure the necessary paperwork is taken care of," Alli told them.
They finished up the meeting and Chris, Lance and Justin headed for the door.
Justin turned around, "By the way, do you know who the girls are gonna be?"
"Why yes, we do," Alli said smiling.
"Well," Lance asked, "What do they look like?"
"We can't say. That's the whole point of the game, to see if you connect without ever seeing each other," Jill told them.
"Come on guys, do you think we're gonna send dogs out there to pick you?" Alli asked.
"I just hope they're not too pretty. I don't want Jenn to be upset," Lance said.
"Hey, speak for yourself," Chris said, "I'm hoping I get a beautiful blonde."
"It should be lots of fun," Jill told them.
Justin, Lance and Chris left.
"I'll call you tonight," Joey was telling Alli as he headed for the door, "We have to make our own plans for Saturday night."
"What are you gonna do if I get picked?" JC asked Jill.
"I guess I could call one of my other boyfriends and make plans with them for Saturday," Jill joked.
"Yeah, you think you're funny, don't you?" JC said wrapping Jill up in his arms.
"Yes, I do," she said laughing.
