I meet her in her office. She’s dressed in a loose-fitting light pink pant suit, which she pulls off marvelously. It hugs her in all the right places and does not make her short legs look stubby, which is almost always the case with me. It’s probably all the heels, I decide. In addition to her gigantic diamond wedding set, she’s also wearing a diamond ring on the right ring finger. It’s in the shape of a bow tie, and she’s wearing it right at the tip of her nail, near the first knuckle.
“I love your ring,” I say. “I’ve never seen a knuckle ring like that.”
“Oh, thank you for noticing,” she extends her hand so I can get a closer look. “It’s a new creation by this talented young designer out of Santa Barbara. It’s part of her very first collection, coming out this summer. It’s not available anywhere yet.”
I nod. For a second, it feels like she’s actually telling me all of this because I might go out and get one. As if it’s something that she got at Target, and it’s actually something I can afford. When I glance back up at her, I know that she’s not showing off one bit. She’s simply sharing, because I had showed an interest.
“I’m going to make myself a cup of hot chocolate. Real dark chocolate, nothing instant. You interested?” Dolly walks up to her coffee machine.
“Yes, sure,” I nod.
“I’ve had the best hot chocolate one time when I was in Tulum, Mexico. This tiny Mayan woman ran this little stand on a street corner, and it was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. I was looking through some of my old travel pictures this morning and was reminded of it, so I thought I’d give it a shot.”
She hands me a photo album titled “Tulum.”
“This was only a few years ago, so all of my pictures came from my phone, but I’m an old fashioned one. There’s nothing like looking at photos in a photo album,” Dolly says as I flip through her pictures. The photos are gorgeous – Instagram quality. Beautiful cliffs and ruins running into the bluest water I’ve ever seen.
A few minutes later, when I’m 100% certain that my next vacation – if I can ever manage a week away from the shop – will be to Tulum, she hands me my cup of hot chocolate. It’s dark and rich and flows as if it were lava. I take a sip. Wow. Dolly has upped her drink game. If her cappuccinos were simply delicious, her hot chocolate is heavenly.
“This is amazing,” I say, taking two more quick sips. It’s so good, I’d be done with the cup already, if it weren’t so hot.
“Yes, it is quite good, isn’t it?” she says, taking a sip. “Not quite like in Tulum, but very good.”
“You must’ve had a blast on this trip,” I say.
“Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by Maya between the 13th and 15th centuries. They called it Zama, the City of Dawn, because it’s on a bluff facing east. If you only ever see one sunrise in your life, it should be in Tulum.”
“You’re making me jealous,” I say. “I’d love to go there someday.”
“It just so happens that I heard that you made quite an impression at the engagement party.”
Oh that. I sit back down in my seat.
“And not just on Logan. Also on the bride and groom to be.”
I nod.
“I liked Kora and Liam a lot too.”
“Well, they liked you so much that Kora called me a few days ago and asked for your address. She’s sending you an invitation to her wedding. In Tulum.”
I stare at her. I can’t go to the wedding! But it is in Tulum. A great excuse. No, focus. Don’t get distracted. You can’t go to this wedding.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were his aunt?” I ask Dolly. I catch her off-guard. I want to see her squirm, but she barely blinks.
“I don’t tell the women very much about the men before the date. It’s one of my policies. But between you and me, it’s because I’ve never set Logan up on any dates before. He’s not really my client. Just my nephew. He has never asked me to set him up before. In fact, I had to fight him on it.”
“Why did you?”
“Because I had the sneaking suspicion that you two were perfect for each other. The minute that you stormed out of my office when I asked you about net-worth.”
“So you know what happened?” I ask. “On our date?”
“Yes, Logan has filled me on the details. But now I need to hear it from you.”
“Did he tell you about his ex, Sadie? That she’s pregnant?”
“Yes, he did mention that part.”
“So? What am I supposed to do with that? I can’t go out with someone who has a baby.”
“That’s very judgmental of you,” Dolly says.
“I don’t know anything about babies.”
“You don’t have to. Besides, he doesn’t have a baby now. It might not be his, and even if it were, that’s not an issue for at least eight more months. Enough time for you and Logan to go on another date and figure out how you feel about one another.”
I shake my head. When she puts it that way, it doesn’t sound like a big deal. So, why does it feel like it is?
“What did Logan say?” I ask.
“I can’t tell you that,” she shakes her head. “You need to tell me how you feel about him first.”
I take a deep breath. Finish the last bit of my hot chocolate. “I thought he was a dick, at first. But then, I liked him. He’s a very good kisser.”
Dolly smiles with her whole body. Her brilliant white teeth nearly blind me.
“Ah! I knew it,” Dolly says.
“But I can’t go to this wedding,” I say.
“Just think about it.”
Chapter 14 - Avery
The following day, a kid who looks like he is barely old enough to drive shows up in the floral shop. It’s too early for prom and too late for a winter formal.
“May I help you?” I ask, waiting for him to ask me to pick out a bouquet for him for his girlfriend.
“I have this box for you but you need to sign for it.”
“Oh okay,” I nod. He’s a messenger. I look outside. There’s no FedEx or UPS truck out there, and he’s definitely not from the US Postal service. For a second, my heart drops to my stomach. What if this is something from Cal?
“Can you wait here for a second while I open it?” I ask. And then realize that if this is a bomb, then it would be all my fault that he would die along with me.
Luckily, it’s not. Inside the package, I find an invitation that has been carved into a thin piece of birch tree. It’s about cardboard-thickness and, at the top, there are L + K with a heart around them.
“Can I go now?” the kid asks me. I had forgotten that he was still here! I give him a small tip and he leaves.
I pick up Liam and Kora’s wedding invitation. I guess Dolly was right. I did make an impression. The wedding is in a month, and I have to let them know my decision as soon as possible. What is my decision?
If I go to the wedding, then I’ll definitely see Logan there, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We have texted a lot over the last few days, but it never really went further than that. He didn’t ask me out again, and I didn’t initiate anything either. Texting is the safe thing to do. I don’t have to see his beautiful eyes. I don’t have to say no in person, and if he asks me out again, it’s easier to say no in a text.
I hear a little ring. Someone opens the door to the shop. I put the invitation away and gather my thoughts. I can’t just obsess over Logan all the time. I have a job to do here.
“Logan?” I ask.
He stands before me, looking straight into my soul.
“Hi,” he says, coming closer. He looks down at his feet and then back at me. I find this display of vulnerability utterly charming.
“I thought I’d give texting a rest for a bit,” he announces. I nod. I look him up and down. He’s dressed in a pair of tight light blue shorts that accentuate the tightness of his perfect butt. The lightweight, loose, button-down shirt is buttoned only half way down his chest, exposing his ha
rd, tan pectoral muscles. I’m not sure how he looks hotter – in a suit or in flip-flops. Both are very easy on the eyes.
“So this is where you work?” he asks, looking around. “It’s beautiful.”
I smile and clear my throat.
“Well, you know. They’re flowers. It’s their job to be beautiful,” I say.
“Hmm…I don’t know. I’m not sure it’s a job if they can do it so naturally.”
Our eyes meet. After a moment of silence, we both crack a smile. I walk around the counter.
“Want the grand tour?”
“Of course.”
“Roses are over there. Baby’s breath here. Tulips in the back. This is where I make centerpieces. And this,” I turn to the counter. “This is where the customers pay me.”
He continues to smile. The grin on his face is warm and inviting, and it’s all I can do to not run into his arms and press my lips onto his.
“It’s nice to see you again,” he whispers. “I’ve missed you.”
He takes a step forward until we’re close enough to kiss. For a moment, we don’t touch. It feels like the longest moment of anticipation. And then he takes my hand in his.
“It’s nice to see you again,” I manage.
“I wanted to come see you…well, I wanted to see you. But I also wanted to tell you that I’m going to be out of communication for a bit. It’s a work thing.”
“Okay,” I nod.
“And I also wanted to ask you to be my date to my brother’s wedding.”
He touches the tips of my hair, plays with it haphazardly. I wonder how long we’re going to stand here before he kisses me. I’m having trouble focusing on anything he’s saying.
“What?” I ask, when I finally register that he’s talking about taking me to the wedding.
“I want you to be my plus one,” he says, looking into my eyes. They look like they’re made of crystal – I can see my reflection in them.
“I got my own invitation,” I say.
“What?’
“I just got it today. Liam and Kora invited me.”
“Oh great. So you don’t want to go with me?”
“That’s not what I said.”
He takes another step forward. I didn’t think that it would be possible, but somehow he manages to get even closer to me – without kissing me.
“I’m just saying that I don’t have go as your plus one.”
“I never said you did. I just wanted you to know that I wanted you to.”
Why does he have to be so charming? And hot? A few strands of hair fall into his eyes. And suddenly, I can’t help myself. I reach out and brush it away. The next thing I know, we’re kissing. It’s me who makes the first move. I pull his neck closer to me. I stand up on my tiptoes and bring my lips to his. He reciprocates right away.
He pushes me against the counter, wrapping his strong hands around my waist. After pulling me up a little closer to him, and moving my hair off my shoulders, he runs his tongue down my neck.
“Go to the wedding with me,” he whispers into my ear in between the kisses.
“I don’t know,” I whisper.
“Why?”
“It’ll just be our second date. I can’t go away with you for the weekend, to your brother’s wedding for our second date.”
“Why?” he kisses my collarbones and buries his head in my cleavage.
“Because…because,” I tilt my head and moan. I can’t focus. Words don’t make any sense to me anymore. I just want to rip off his clothes and for him to rip off mine.
“Because it doesn’t seem right,” I manage to finish a thought.
He lifts his head from my cleavage and bats his eyelashes at me. I roll my eyes. He lifts me up and sits me down on the counter. He spreads my legs with his hard body, resting his hands around my waist.
“Our first date was at their engagement party. What’s more appropriate than having our second date at their wedding?”
I think about that for a moment. Of course, I want to go with him. I want to see him again, more than anything. Still, the Sadie factor is still weighing heavily on my mind. I don’t want to bring her up. There’s no other news. There’s no way to know anything until the baby is born, and that’s not going to be for a long time.
“Okay,” I finally cave. His eyes light up, “but only because Kora and Liam invited me directly.”
He kisses me again. He tastes like salty peanuts. When he pulls away, I pull him closer. We continue to kiss until his lips spread into a wide grin and don’t close again.
“What?” I ask, sort of kissing his teeth. “What’s so funny?”
“So, let me get this straight, you don’t want to go as my date to the wedding?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“You should let me know, because I’m taking my plane to Tulum. And if you’re going as my date, you’re more than welcome to come with.”
A private plane! I’ve never been on a private plane before. My heart skips a beat.
“But if you don’t, I’d be more than happy to recommend a cab company that can pick you up from the airport after you fly coach.”
I roll my eyes. “You think you’re so charming,” I say.
“Yes, yes, I do,” he shrugs. I playfully push him away, but he doesn’t budge an inch. Instead, he presses himself closer to me, and we lose ourselves in another passionate kiss.
Chapter 15 - Logan
I was toying with her. Of course, I wanted to kiss her. More than anything. But I wanted to see that she wanted it as badly as I did. She was such a flirt over text, but my experience tells me that some girls can say the dirtiest things in texts and not have anything to show for it in real life. Our texts didn’t get dirty, but they were fun. Still, I wasn’t sure how surprising her at her shop would go. It could’ve been a total disaster. Luckily, it wasn’t. She said yes.
I try to make the kiss last as long as possible. I hold her by her waist and bury my head in her bosom. They are just the right size. And natural. Perfect. She tastes of wine and fruit and chocolate. I lick my lips after we pull away.
“You taste delicious,” I say. She blushes.
“I had some sangria earlier. And chocolate,” she puts her hand over her mouth. I pull it away, and kiss her beautiful lips again. I want to rip off her shirt and hike up her skirt. I want to fuck her. Hard. From the look in her eyes, I’m pretty sure that she’d let me. Maybe even close down the shop so that we aren’t disturbed. But I’m running late. I already stayed much longer than I should have.
Reluctantly, I pull away from Avery.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, tilting her head and flashing me a smile. My knees feel wobbly. I know I’m in trouble.
“I have to go.”
“Noooooo.” She pulls me closer.
“I know, I’m sorry,” I push away. Shit. Why did this have to happen today of all days?
“Where do you have to go? You don’t have a job!”
“I do have a job. An obligation. It’s a pretty serious one too,” I look down at my watch. I’m late. Really late. He hates lateness. Doesn’t tolerate it.
“What is it?” she asks, jumping off the counter. She crosses her arms across her chest. She pouts her lips. If only I didn’t have to leave right away. I have a few ideas of how I could make that pout disappear.
“It’s difficult to explain,” I say. I don’t want to lie to her – wow, that’s a first – but I can’t tell the truth either.
“I’m going on a very important business trip tomorrow. I won’t be able to stay in contact. Not constant contact.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Avery turns away from me and pretends to work on a centerpiece.
I turn her around.
“Because I don’t want you to think that I’m ignoring you. I like you Avery. A lot. But I can’t stay. I have to go. I have a meeting with my director, and I’m running late. Tomorrow I have to leave. I’m not sure when I’ll be in touch again, but I will pi
ck you up for the wedding. I promise.”
She shakes her head, as if she understands. In today’s age of constant contact and almost infinite technology, it’s a little hard to explain why I’m going to go pretty much underground for a month, but this is the best explanation that I can offer.
I bend down to her ear. I move hair off her shoulders and kiss the back of her neck. She moans a little. I want her to remember these words.
“I like you, Avery. A lot.”
I race through Topanga Canyon, breaking all speeding records. Here, the problem is not so much the police hiding behind curves, but the curves themselves. The road is windy and steep.
It’s not advisable to go faster than 50 miles per hour. I’m meeting Franklin Truman on a park bench on the Santa Monica Pier. I’m late, of course. It’s only by fifteen minutes, but fifteen minutes is like two hours in Truman time.
“I was about to leave,” he says, looking straight at me. I don’t apologize. That would be admitting a mistake, and that’s a big no-no with Truman. To him, an apology is a sign of regret, and regrets are unprofessional.
Santa Monica Pier is swirling with happy families and pets. Everyone around us is having fun and smiling.
“This isn’t the best place to meet if you wanted to fit in,” I say. “Given your propensity to stare ahead with a serious expression on your face.”
He turns to me. I know better than to expect a sarcastic smile from him. Franklin Truman has no sense of humor. I’ve never seen him smile or even make a joke. Perhaps that’s one of the requirements of being the director of Daffodil, but I have the feeling that I’d run it completely differently. Daffodil is the name of the secret organization within the CIA I made the terrible mistake of joining all those years ago. Part-time work, my ass.
“Augusto Sanchez has already started to consolidate power,” Truman says. “He’s had at least five ministers who helped him conduct the military coup arrested. Many have disappeared. None of our operatives on the ground know how many civilians have vanished. He has completely taken over the newspapers and the media. Analysts are saying that he’s well on his way to becoming the next Kim Jong-Il.”
The Billionaire Matchmaker Page 8
