by Amy Boyles
Well, she wasn’t technically older than Thorne. Thorne being a vampire and all meant he was probably pretty old. I didn’t know how old, but I knew he was older than Frankie.
Anyway, Frankie had three possible matches, and since I was an honest matchmaker, it was my responsibility to bring all three of them to her.
I sighed and sipped my coffee. I grimaced. It was definitely overloaded with sugar.
“So what are you going to do, Charming?” Mama asked.
I drummed my fingers on the countertop. “I’m going to do what Frankie asked. We’re putting on a dating game show, and Thorne is invited to participate.”
“He’ll never do it.” Mama sniffed. “What self-respecting vampire would demean himself by going on a dating game? One that all of town could see, anyway?”
I shrugged. “I mean, maybe he won’t, but I have to try. It’s my moral obligation.”
“Please, Charming,” Mama said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Are you really going to hand over a man you have feelings for to Frankie Firewalker?”
I scoffed. “What makes you think I have feelings for him?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not dead, daughter. I have eyes and I can see.”
“Oh, and I can feel the molecules in the air when the two of y’all are near one another,” Rose added. “The air is charged with energy.”
For once, I didn’t argue with Rose’s crazy statement. I didn’t need her to explain what sort of energy because I already knew it was the tense, angsty kind.
I rose from my chair. “I have to do my job. If Thorne is her match, then that’s what the truth is. I can’t lie. I have a moral responsibility.”
“To Frankie Firewalker?” Mama scoffed. “You must be joking.”
I sucked my teeth. “Would you care to tell me why you hate her so much?”
“I don’t hate her,” she said coldly.
Mama flipped her long red hair over one shoulder. Mama looked much younger than her years. She had taken great care of herself, keeping her skin out of the sun, eating healthy food and drinking plenty of water. She looked to be in her forties even though she was well into her fifties.
But you didn’t hear that from me.
“That’s not what you told me,” Rose countered to Mama. “You said if there was one person on this planet that you hated, it was Frankie Firewalker.”
Mama bristled. “Why I don’t like that woman is my business and mine alone. Charming, you would do well to stay out of her way. Way out of her way. If she gets wind that you have a thing for Thorne and he’s her soul mate, I can guarantee that Frankie will do whatever she can to steal him out from under your nose.”
The whole situation put knots the size of eggs in my stomach. It was true, I didn’t want Thorne to be anywhere near Frankie, but I didn’t feel right lying about who someone’s match might be.
I glanced at my watch. “I’ve got to go.” I gulped down the rest of my sugar coffee. “I’m late for a meeting.”
“With whom?” Mama said.
“With the mayor. Frankie wants this whole dating-game thing to go down, and the mayor is all about it. She thinks it’ll be the biggest spectacle that Witch’s Forge has ever seen. She’s probably right.”
“Don’t say we didn’t warn you when this whole thing backfires in your face.”
I shot Mama a scathing look. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“You’re welcome,” she said brightly.
I grabbed my purse. Broom met me in the hallway, sweeping the path clear of dirt.
“Thanks, Broom.”
I shouldered my bag and opened the door, my stomach twisting the whole time.
A dark shadow fell over me. I glanced up. My breath caught in the back of my throat.
“Charming.”
Thorne’s voice sent a shiver straight to my core. My gaze slowly swept from the ground to Thorne’s thick thighs, his tapered waist and wide shoulders to the brown and golden highlighted hair that brushed his shoulders. My gaze stopped floating when it reached his silvery eyes.
Anger flashed in them, and my stomach twisted.
“What’s this I hear that I’ve been invited to take part in a dating game?”
I quickly shut the door behind me so that my family wouldn’t hear. One whiff that the vampire was nearby and both Rose and Mama would be at the door, sniffing around to see what was going on.
With a bright smile plastered on my face, I said, “Oh, you know. It’s just a matching game. See if you could possibly be a soul mate for Frankie Firewalker.”
Thorne scowled so fiercely I nearly trembled. If there was one thing that man could do, it was make my knees quake.
“I don’t need a matchmaker. I’m capable of making my own decisions about who I date, thank you.”
My purse slipped down my arm. Thorne’s gaze trailed to a naked patch of skin at my neck. I scratched the spot where I’d once been attacked by a vampire and lived.
Anytime I thought about that night when I was young, it irked me. Irritated by Thorne’s bad attitude, I brushed past him.
“I’m responsible for bringing Frankie all her possible matches.”
The mayor’s office was within walking distance, so I ignored my car resting on the street.
“I don’t want to be considered for this. Take me off the list,” he demanded.
“That’s not up to me. There are three of y’all—you, Tex Tye and Watts Pugh. I don’t have any control over the possible matches. My job is to deliver the men. That’s all.”
“Seems sexist,” he said.
“It’s only a game show. Haven’t you ever seen one of the old ones? You know from the seventies and eighties when one woman picked between three possible men to go on a date with? Same concept,” I said haughtily.
He took me by the elbow and tugged until I stopped to face him. Fire flashed bright and hot in his eyes. “I’m telling you I don’t want to be considered.”
My hackles rose. I had already explained this. Why couldn’t the vampire just accept what I’d told him?
“And I’m telling you it’s not my decision,” I snapped. “This is my job. My job, Thorne. And if I don’t do what the mayor hired me to, I will be fired and out of that job.” I crossed my arms. “I don’t know about you, but I need to eat. What lets me eat is getting paid,”
He growled in response. Very nice.
Not at all.
I glared at him. “No one says you have to fall in love with her.”
His eyes narrowed. “Who’s talking about love?”
“I’m a matchmaker, Thorne. What do you think I do all day long? Eat lollipops and annoy vampires?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I think you do.”
We stared at each other, neither one of us willing to back down. Thorne exhaled and glanced at the ground. His weight shifted right and left as he seemed to be debating something.
“You know, Charming—” The sound of my name on his lips made a fissure of electricity bolt down my spine. “I don’t want to do this because I had other plans.”
I threw my arms up. “What other plans? Date a vampire princess? Whisk her away to your castle?”
He chuckled, his eyes for the first time holding warmth—real warmth in them. “You would like that, wouldn’t you? It would feed all your preconceived notions about me.”
“No comment.”
Thorne shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant. What I was going to say was that I had hoped—”
The door to the mayor’s office opened, and Winnifred Dixon stood in the frame. The plump mayor wore a dress suit with a white silk shirt. Her lips were painted bright red, and she placed a hand on her hip impatiently.
“Thorne! Charming! Get in here. We need to discuss the details of the dating game. Frankie’s here as well. Y’all come on in.”
I shot Thorne a victorious look. Not that I wanted to win this, but there were situations I wasn’t in control of—like this one.
> Thorne sighed before pointing a finger at me. “We’re not finished discussing this.”
I smirked. “I can’t wait until we do.”
Chapter 2
“I’m not doing this.”
Thorne announced it to Frankie and Winnifred as soon as we stepped into the room.
Frankie Firewalker, a petite woman with red hair and sparkling blue eyes, floated forward. “Whatever do you mean?”
Thorne cleared his throat. “I mean, I don’t think it’s appropriate for the police chief to be taking part in a game show. What if a crime occurs and I’m needed to stop it?”
Frankie threw back her head. A raspy laugh escaped her lips. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You have an entire crew of vampires who can deal with any emergency. Don’t you?”
Thorne folded his arms. “I said I’m out. There are already two other contestants. You have two possible matches. You don’t need one more.”
Frankie sauntered up to Thorne. Sex appeal practically wafted off her in thick waves. I rolled my eyes.
She danced her fingers up his arm.
“Please don’t,” he said tensely.
“Is it because there’s someone else?” she cooed.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Oh, but it is my business,” she said. “You see, you are a possible match to me. What are you afraid of?”
She placed a hand on Thorne’s arm. He tensed.
I stiffened.
Frankie’s gaze flickered to me. Realization filled her eyes before she pinned her attention back on Thorne. “In my experience, if there isn’t a love connection between us, then all will be okay. But you are my possible match and we need three in the dating game.”
The mayor interjected, splaying her arms wide. “Just picture it, Thorne. We’ll broadcast the entire show to all of Witch’s Forge. Everyone in town will get to see their police chief in action. They’ll get to know the real you.”
He shook his head. “I’m not interested.”
“I told him he had to do it,” I said. “That he’s your possible match.”
“And I said I don’t want any part of it,” Thorne snapped.
Frankie clapped her hands. “Ladies, why don’t you leave Thorne and me alone for a moment? Allow us to have a little chat.”
Thorne and I exchanged a charged look, full of an emotion I couldn’t place. Was that want in his eyes?
Winnifred shooed me out of her office. “Come on, Charming. Let’s give the two lovebirds a moment alone.”
My stomach knotted at her use of the term lovebirds. If there was one thing Thorne wasn’t, it was a bird. I could barely even imagine him loving someone. The word love didn’t seem to be in his vernacular.
Not that I cared.
I let the mayor lead me from her office. Once we were out, she closed the door and fanned her face. “Well I’ve never in my life seen someone say no so hard but their eyes say yes.”
I balked. “You’re talking about Thorne?”
“Yes. Who else?”
“Um. Frankie?”
She wagged a finger and said with authority, “Mark my words, Charming. Thorne will go through with the dating game. I have no doubt. He wants to; he just won’t admit it to himself.”
I swallowed an egg in the back of my throat. “You think?”
“Of course. Frankie might be a bit older than him, but she’s gorgeous. Plus, she has a certain magnetism that just seems to grab you. Oh, not me. I mean a man. Thorne will do it. Just give her a moment to convince him.”
I frowned. I seriously doubted Thorne would go through with it, but I wished Frankie all the luck in the world.
Who was I kidding? No I didn’t. I didn’t wish her any luck. I didn’t want Thorne to go through with it because…because I had feelings for him. They were fledgling, but my heart raced every time we were near one other. Our conversations stimulated my brain even though I also wanted to strangle Thorne at the same time. Plus, Thorne seemed to approach me with a gentleness on occasion that I felt was rare for the vampire.
It was true—I had feelings and I didn’t want him to go through with the dating game. That would put Frankie and him together in intimate situations.
What if he fell for her? I would’ve lost something I never had, and worse, it would basically be my fault.
My own stupid code of ethics had put me in this position. But whatever, there was no point in crying over spilled milk. In fact there wouldn’t be any spilling because Thorne wouldn’t go through with the dating game. I just knew it.
Once the first round of questions and playing were over, the format would be similar to the Bachelor or Bachelorette—hot tubs and date nights.
Kissing. There would be kissing.
I calmed my beating heart and pressed my cold fingers to my hot cheeks.
Winnifred tapped my arm. “They’re coming out.”
The door opened and Frankie appeared, a huge smile on her face. She gestured toward Thorne, who slowly walked out, his back stiff.
“Ladies,” she said proudly, “I’d like to announce that we have a full cast of men for me to choose from. Thorne Blackwood has agreed to go on the dating game.”
I stared at Thorne. He didn’t meet my gaze. I pulled a clipboard from my bag, took out a pen and clicked it. “So then. Let’s get started. The game show airs tomorrow night. We have some logistics to work out.”
Chapter 3
I didn’t ask Thorne what Frankie had said to him. In fact, I didn’t talk to him again until the night of the dating game.
Winnifred Dixon had rented out the old theater in town for the first round of the show.
“Charming, this is the most important night,” the mayor said as she guided me to the stage. On the right side of the set three screens had been erected. The idea was that each bachelor, unseen, would answer Frankie’s questions. Frankie would sit on the left with the host who would guide her straight through.
The set was a beige 70’s color with lots of hearts, plush cushions and blinking lights. It was a strange combination but it worked.
The second round would take place on location, at the various dating spots that Frankie had picked out, and would follow each of the couples from food to drinks to whatever happened after.
“What do you think?” the mayor asked.
I took in the colors and the cheesiness of it before smiling. “It’s gorgeous. Absolutely perfect.”
“Great. Everyone should be arriving soon. I’ll need you to be here as consultant. In case there are any matchmaking questions.”
I nodded. “Of course.”
“Now where is India?” she said impatiently. “My assistant was supposed to be here with coffee.”
A moment later a small woman whose gaze darted left and right hustled over. “Mayor, I’ve got your coffee.”
“Oh, bless you, child.” The mayor grabbed the cup and gulped down the concoction. “I need this to calm my nerves. I’m a bundle of jitters, Charming. An absolute bundle. Unsure if I’ll make it through the night without getting sick.”
I frowned at the coffee. “Not sure that will help your jitters. Caffeine might make them worse. Maybe some warm milk would be better.”
“Nonsense,” the mayor declared. “Come, India. We have work to do.”
The mayor strode off with India scurrying behind. I started to laugh but stifled it when a tall man with a blond pompadour smoothed his tie and walked over.
“Are you in charge of all this?”
The question surprised me. “No, I can’t say I am. I’m Charming Calhoun, the matchmaker—a consultant for the game.”
He extended his hand and offered a thousand-watt smile. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Vic Blass, the host.”
My palm slid over his, and Vic gloved my hand. “Oh. So you’re the lucky man who gets to lead Frankie to true love.”
Vic lifted his chin and chuckled. A glint sparkled in his eyes as he glanced back at me. “I’m certainly go
ing to do my best.”
“That’s all anyone can do.”
He released my hand and I realized he’d been holding it for a long time, but it hadn’t bothered me. There wasn’t anything particularly creepy about him. You know how some people take your hand and just won’t let go until you’re super uncomfortable?
Well Vic held my hand, but there was nothing unsettling about it. That had to be a good sign that the night would go well.
At least I hoped so.
“Charming, so glad you could join us.”
Frankie strode up. She wore an emerald-green dress that looked to be made of gossamer. The thing floated behind her as she glided over.
I stiffened. “I wouldn’t miss this for all the world.”
She kissed both my cheeks. “I’m pleased you’re supporting this little game.” Her gaze flickered to Vic. “Oh, Vic. You make me proud that you’re hosting this.”
Vic did a little bow. “Anything for a magical dame.”
My gaze washed from him to her. “You two know each other?”
Frankie kissed Vic’s cheek. “Vic and I go way back. Don’t we?”
He nodded. “We certainly do. Way back to before you ever received your title of dame.”
Frankie hiked a shoulder and giggled. “Now, now. No need to age me. I’m as young as I feel.”
“And as beautiful as ever,” Vic murmured.
Did these two want to get a room or what? Vic and Frankie stared at each other until Vic broke the spell. “Well, ladies, it’s been nice chatting, but I’ve got to get ready to host this little show, don’t I? Frankie, great to see you. Charming, I’m sure we’ll meet again.”
As soon as Vic walked off, Frankie hitched a brow. “Well, well, well, looks like Vic took a shine to you.”
I scoffed. “Looked like he couldn’t drag his gaze from you.”
A delicate laugh trilled in her throat. “Don’t be silly. He’s only here because I asked him. He’s doing us a favor. I’m here for one of the three men.”
A secretive smile quirked on her lips. “One of three possible dates.”
