We planned out what we wanted to say, even practiced it a few times for Noah’s comfort, and I’m glad. It let us have some very detailed conversations about what we want to share and what we want to keep private.
Not that we’re hiding anything, but there are some things that are just for us, like no one needs to know that I’m shifting around on the couch, not because I’m overly excited but because I can feel the sting on my ass from where Noah smacked me right before we sat down. He promised me more of that when we’re done, so I’m ready to say the things we agreed on and get back to my bedroom. Maybe we can break my new bed too? Though I did invest in a more robust one, learning my lesson from the thin wood of the last one.
“I want to talk to you about . . . us.” I point a fingernail—yellow painted, of course—from Noah to me. “After my last video, there was a lot of speculation and assumptions were being made, and I want to be completely transparent. About everything. So, here’s the truth . . .”
“We knew each other a long time ago, and well, to be honest, we didn’t like each other much.” I make a face at Noah, scrunching up my nose and mock-glaring at him, but he just lifts one brow, silently and cockily daring me to come at him. I laugh and turn back to the camera. “Flash forward years later, when I joined the BlindDate app and started talking to this guy. We did exactly what BlindDate says to . . . we got to know each other, and he was everything I wanted—kind, funny, interesting. So imagine my surprise when I showed up for my blind date to find this guy.” I point at Noah with my thumb.
“Surprised,” Noah repeats, doing air quotes with one hand. “More like horrified and furious. She stomped out and left me standing there like an asshole.”
I giggle, shrugging innocently. “Well, you can’t say you didn’t deserve it.”
Noah nods and agrees with me. “I totally deserved it. But I chased you down and apologized. With tacos.” To the camera, he says, “Guys, always bring tacos.”
I push at his chest with a grin. “Anyway, so that was how we found out that we’d both used fake names. Yes, I’ll let you in on a little secret . . . Mark isn’t really his name. It’s Noah.” I put a finger to my lips, telling the thousands of viewers to keep that tidbit quiet. “But for Riley Sunshine’s sake, we’re going to stick with Mark here because he has a personal life too, and Midnight Noah doesn’t have quite the same punch, right?”
Taking his cue, Noah tells the viewers, “Speaking of my personal life, I’m an app developer—an idea guy with a focus on statistics. The first app I developed was FriendZone. Maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s the precursor to BlindDate. Yes, the app where Riley and I met. It’s my latest project baby, and I’ve put countless hours of work into seeing it come to life. Admittedly, my greatest pride is in knowing just how well it works.” He looks to me, sweetness and happiness in his smile but heat in his eyes. “Without BlindDate, Riley and I wouldn’t have seen past our old assumptions to make the connection we now share.”
“And I want you, all of my Sunshiners, to share in this joy,” I add. “Which is why I’ve signed a deal with Life Corp. I’m endorsing and promoting BlindDate. You know I only bring you suggestions and recommendations after testing products, sampling goods, and researching the companies. I wasn’t trying to vet BlindDate when I signed up. This wasn’t a publicity stunt or anything like that.”
Yeah, I’m looking at you, Kitty Warner. Take that and put it in your litter box.
“I was searching for someone the way we all are. But having experienced it first-hand, seeing how it works, and learning about Life Corp, I feel good about recommending BlindDate to you.” I stare directly into the camera, letting them see the honesty and integrity in my eyes. This isn’t a ploy or some scheme I’m promoting because Elisa threw money at me. It’s real, and I believe in BlindDate the way I believe in Noah.
“I want all of you to find your Midnight Mark. Well, not exactly. There’s only one of him, and he’s mine!”
Noah laughs. “You know it, baby.” Then he leans in close, quietly growling in my ear, “And you’re mine.”
I squirm, ready to be done with this video right now. Like right now. “Uhm . . . Noah, the microphone probably caught that,” I whisper.
He looks back to the camera and shrugs, a cocky smirk on his handsome face.