The Wife Finder

by McClone, Melissa

  “Thanks.” Hadley rubbed her forehead. “A shower might clear the sinuses.”

  She followed him upstairs without saying a word. Must have been a long flight. Or maybe a rough week.

  “Did you add any new clients in New York?” he asked when they reached the second floor.

  “No, I limit the number of clients, and my roster is full thanks to you.”

  “Then why were you there?”

  “To meet with potential candidates and check in with my clients. Some need more help than others with dating and romance.” She yawned. “Excuse me. I’m a little tired.”

  “What kind of help?”

  “Clothes, social skills, dating, the list is varied and unique.”

  “Do you do this for both the clients and the candidates?”

  “I do whatever is necessary to find my clients a spouse perfect for them. My cold didn’t hit until Monday night, so I was still able to do a practice date.”

  Imagining her on any kind of date, including a practice one, bugged him. “Did it go well?”

  She nodded, her smile widening. “He did much better than the last time.”

  “Good for him.” But how could a guy not know how to date?

  An image of Dash flashed in his head.

  Never mind.

  She coughed into the crook of her elbow. “Sorry. I need another dose of cough medicine.”

  Hadley was also congested and glassy-eyed. She needed to be in bed, resting, not dragged to a private supper club. They could stay home. Order takeout for dinner. That might be a smarter plan. “Maybe we should cancel.”

  “I thought you said we’d make it an early night?”

  He had, except… “You’re tired and don’t feel well.”

  She shrugged. “I thought I was doing better, but I think traveling wore me out. You want to go, right?”

  Blaise did, but now he was torn. Both over the dinner and her staying at a hotel when she didn’t feel well.

  She spent this week in one.

  True, but she likely had no other option in New York. Here…

  “We’ll leave before dessert,” she suggested. “Okay?”

  He thought he’d feel more relief at her wanting to go. Maybe he was tired, too. Still, the dinner was important for two reasons. She could find out more info about Wes and Dash. Introducing her to Kieran and Mason tonight also would keep her from having to return to Portland before she was ready.

  Not that seeing her was a hardship for Blaise.

  “That works,” he said finally. “I’ll be in the family room. Watching football. While you get, uh, ready.”

  Blaise fought the urge to cringe. He sounded stupid. She didn’t care what he was doing or why.

  “Is Lex going with us?” she asked.

  “He’s off this weekend. Rizzo’s on. He’ll drive us to the restaurant.” Blaise glanced from her to the door of the bathroom. “Let me know if you need anything.”

  Not that he had a clue where to find something. A new tube of toothpaste and other toiletries appeared when his ran low. He assumed Robyn took the same care with the guest rooms in case he had visitors. Which he never did, but why not be prepared?

  Hadley’s shoulders slumped, making him think she needed sleep more than a shower.

  “Are you sure you’re up for tonight?” he asked.

  She nodded. “It won’t take me long to get ready.”

  Thirty minutes later, they were on their way.

  Rizzo glanced in the rearview mirror of the SUV, his dark chocolate gaze on Hadley. “Do you feel okay?”

  “I have a cold.” She slouched in the back seat. “I’m waiting for the medicine to kick in.”

  Where Lex was bleach-blond and fair-skinned, Rizzo had jet-black hair and an olive skin tone. Both men, however, were inked and could go from relaxed to intense faster than Kieran’s newest thoroughbred horse ran down the straightaway at Belmont.

  “O-T-C?” Rizzo asked.

  She yawned and then blinked as if trying to keep her eyes open. “Yes.”

  Blaise fought the urge to offer his shoulder as a pillow, but they didn’t have far to drive. He was also trying to sort through the mix of emotions being with Hadley brought to the surface—concern, protectiveness, respect, attraction.

  Rizzo focused on the road. “Drink water tonight. Not alcohol. You want to stay hydrated.”

  Hadley turned away from Blaise and then coughed. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “It is,” Blaise agreed. “Rizzo is a trained medic.”

  Rizzo nodded. “Have questions or need advice, I’m your man.”

  “Medical ones, you mean?” she asked.

  Glancing in the rearview mirror again, Rizzo winked. “Whatever you need.”

  Was the bodyguard flirting with Hadley?

  Blaise’s stomach burned. The guy was friendly, more so than Lex, but that was because of Rizzo’s outgoing personality. Both Laurel and Cambria had mentioned Rizzo was attractive. Iris, too. Would Hadley think so?

  Doesn’t matter. She’s not your real girlfriend.

  True, but Blaise wanted the logical part of him to be quiet and let him be indignant.

  You mean, jealous.

  Shut up.

  He couldn’t believe he was arguing with himself.

  “Have you spoken to Dash or Wes this week?” she asked.

  At least she wasn’t flirting back. “Wes called to get a rundown on you. You were correct about his wanting to run a background check. I talked him out of it. Dash and I texted. Everyone is crazy busy. Especially me.”

  Blaise was rambling, which was unlike him. He didn’t share much about his personal life, but something about being with Hadley sent the words gushing like water from a broken water main.

  “Busy is your normal, right?” She sounded more amused than upset.

  Good, that meant she was feeling better. “Yes. I get antsy if I don’t have enough going on.”

  “Overachievers are like that. Guessing you and your friends have that in common.” She coughed again. “You mentioned Dash isn’t seeing anyone, but he must have women who are interested in him.”

  “He does, but dating isn’t a priority, so he lets them do the pursuing.”

  “That will make things easier.”

  “Dash prefers easy,” Blaise explained. “He has a few nicknames. Wonderkid. Midas. The other is Mr. Status Quo because he’s not a fan of things changing or fond of conflict. He’ll do whatever it takes to avoid both.”

  “Good to know,” Hadley said. “All these snippets of info will help me find the right match for him.”

  Rizzo pulled into a parking spot near the restaurant.

  “Do you feel the same as Dash about change and conflict?” she asked.

  “I like change. I thrive on it.” Blaise thought about his battle with the board and issues with employees. “Conflict isn’t something I seek, but somehow it finds me.”

  Rizzo escorted them into the restaurant before disappearing. Most likely to the bar, where he could drink a soda and watch the door. At least that was what Lex had done when Blaise went out with friends.

  The interior was dark with brick walls, hardwood floors, and overhead lights strategically placed. Flickering candles in jars provided more atmosphere than illumination. A din of customers’ conversations sounded over instrumental music.

  A hostess led them to a private dining space. Three couples sat at the large square table. Only two spaces on one side remained empty. What about…

  “Where are Dash and Wes?” Blaise asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

  “Wes is spending the weekend in Hood Hamlet,” Adam said.

  Kieran lowered his pint of beer. “Dash is at a video game conference.”

  Blaise muttered under his breath. He shot a pointed look at Mason. “You said everyone would be here.”

  “I thought they would be.” Mason’s smile was more of a smirk.

  Blaise’s throat constricted. He and Hadley should have st
ayed home tonight.

  “What does it matter?” Mason asked. “They met your girlfriend on Sunday. Now it’s our turn. Hadley, isn’t it?”

  “Hadley Lowell,” she said without missing a beat. If she was disappointed Wes and Dash weren’t here, she didn’t show it. “Are you Kieran or Mason?”

  Everyone introduced themselves. Mason, of course, went first and then his wife, Rachael. Next was Kieran and his wife, Selah.

  Adam leaned back. “Good to see you again.”

  Cambria motioned to the empty chairs. “Take a seat.”

  Hadley sat first and then Blaise did. Remembering what Rizzo had said in the car, Blaise poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.

  She stared up at him through her eyelashes. “Thanks.”

  His heart bumped.

  “It’s great to meet you, Hadley.” Mason placed his arm around his wife. “None of us knew Blaise was dating someone or we would have invited you to our wedding.”

  “It’s new,” Blaise answered for her.

  She nodded in agreement. “No plus-one necessary.”

  Blaise smiled at her, pleased how she fit in right away. The same as she had on Sunday. “Not yet, anyway.”

  “Must be hard,” Mason said.

  “What do you mean?” Blaise asked.

  “A long-distance relationship.” Mason’s smirk returned which meant one thing—he was up to something. “Not sure how you manage it. Especially with Hadley’s matchmaking firm having offices in New York and San Francisco. When do you see each other?”

  Blaise froze. A simple search would pull up Hadley’s information, but he hadn’t expected Mason to be so nosey. That wasn’t like the guy. And then Blaise remembered the garter toss. This must be his friend’s way of getting even. He sighed.

  Brought this on myself, but winning the bet will be worth it.

  The person he felt bad for was Hadley. He got that his friends would have questions, but she didn’t deserve an inquisition.

  “You created the Talk-View-Text app, right?” Hadley asked before Blaise could say anything.

  Mason beamed like a proud daddy. Talk-View-Text, AKA TVT, was one of the hottest social media apps on the market. The success of the IPO had shocked everyone. “I did.”

  “Now his head will be even larger,” Adam teased.

  Kieran laughed. “He’s catching up to yours.”

  If Hadley heard what they said, she ignored it. Instead, she smiled at Mason. “Then you should know how technology allows people to be together no matter the distance. Thanks for making it easier for us to see each other when we’re miles apart.”

  Mason swallowed before lowering his hand from around Rachael. “You’re welcome.”

  Everyone chose that moment to take a drink. Selah, who worked at Mason’s company, appeared as if she was trying hard not to laugh.

  Hadley impressed Blaise. Not only had she held her own against Mason—not an easy thing to do when the guy was on a roll—she’d also saved Blaise from saying something he would regret.

  His gaze met hers, her blue eyes drawing him in. Resisting their appeal was futile.

  Something passed between them, a connection—maybe an understanding—but he didn’t feel as if he were on his own. Warmth spread through him, bringing with it an unfamiliar sense of contentment. Strange, because he had everything he wanted. Well, except for winning the bet. Maybe that was why he felt so close to her.

  Blaise covered her hand with his. Her skin was soft and warm.

  Hadley’s gaze never wavered from his, and he wasn’t about to break the contact himself.

  And then he remembered…

  No kissing or holding hands.

  He gently squeezed her hand before letting go. It was the right—the only—thing for him to do, but he missed the contact.

  Blaise flexed his fingers, which itched to touch her once again. He knew better than to do that, but there was something else he could do. He needed to clear the air with Mason or the night would go downhill.

  “Thanks from me, too, Mase.” Blaise smiled at his friend because they were friends no matter their bets, competitions, one-upmanships, or arguments over the years. The same as he was with Adam, Kieran, Wes, and Dash. The six of them understood each other—the work, the money, the challenges—as few others could. “I’ll pick up the tab tonight. It’s the least I can do since I didn’t pick up the garter at your wedding.”

  The nods and smiles around the table told Blaise he’d said the right thing.

  “No hard feelings?” he asked.

  “None. Especially now that Hadley’s here.” Mason raised what looked to be a glass of bourbon. “Has Blaise mentioned the bet to you?”

  She nodded.

  “Good.” Mason glanced at Blaise. “We have less than nine months left to get the bet called off. Since it appears you’re off the market now, maybe Hadley can use her expertise to find women for Dash and Wes.”

  This time it was Hadley who reached for her water glass and drank, but that didn’t stop her gaze from colliding with Blaise’s.

  He winked at her. “Maybe she can.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Blaise, Adam, Kieran, and Mason picked on each other, joking more like brothers than friends. Underneath the ribbing, however, was a bond Hadley envied. She had friends, but work and her family took up most of her time. Not that she minded. Fallon was not only her sister but also her best friend, but maybe Hadley should keep in better touch with other friends. Not everyone lived nearby, but as she’d mentioned to Mason earlier, technology made keeping in touch simpler. Friendship, however, was easy to take for granted. Yet somehow these men, including those not here tonight, had managed despite their busy lives and work.

  The three women were friendly and got along but weren’t as close as the guys. That made sense because they hadn’t known each other as long. She enjoyed talking to them, especially Cambria after meeting her on Sunday, but Hadley struggled to keep up with the many topics being discussed. Her brain was fuzzy. Must be the cold medicine.

  Kieran made a joke about nanotechnology, and Blaise couldn’t stop laughing. He bent over slightly, laughter pouring out of him and wrapping around her like the best hug ever.

  Hadley’s breath caught in her throat.

  He was handsome—okay, gorgeous—but seeing him so carefree filled her stomach with flutters. Tonight with his friends melted away the tension she’d noticed in the set of his shoulders and jaw when she’d arrived at his house. He’d given her a glimpse of a more relaxed Blaise on last Sunday, but he was out in full force now. She might have wanted to cancel, but she was glad they’d come tonight. This dinner—being around his friends—was good for him.

  She drank her water, trying to stave off more coughs. That only made her shiver. Goose bumps prickled her skin. The water hadn’t tasted that cold. Maybe the restaurant lowered the thermostat. She had her arms over her chest, wishing she hadn’t left her sweater at Blaise’s house.

  Maybe food would help.

  Hadley speared a scallop with her fork, but the thought of raising the bite to her mouth felt like too much effort. What she tasted had been delicious, but her appetite had vanished.

  Rachael mentioned a hit television show. Or maybe they were talking about a movie.

  Hadley blinked, trying to refocus so she could pay more attention to what people were saying. Voices droned on, making her feel like an observer from afar, not a participant seated at the table.

  Someone mentioned a CEO’s woes and being asked to step down from his position even though he’d founded the company.

  “Shouldn’t have gone public,” Blaise said in a matter-of-fact tone.

  Kieran shook his head. “Sometimes there’s no choice.”

  Exhaustion clawed its sharp talons into her, poking holes and draining Hadley’s energy like a faucet left running at full blast. All she wanted was to sleep.

  She stifled a yawn.

  Another round of coughing erupted. She turn
ed away from the table.

  “You okay?” Blaise asked, his voice concerned.

  Hadley nodded, but the cough medicine should have lasted through dinner. Something was off…wrong. She felt worse than she had all week. Each breath hurt as if a belt was wrapped around her chest and someone kept pulling it tighter with each exhale.

  The room swayed slightly.

  Whoa.

  What was happening?

  Something clattered against a plate.

  People stood.

  A person shouted.

  Everything was going dark, a fade-to-black camera effect taking over her vision.

  Two hands held on to her.

  “Hadley?” Blaise leaned into Hadley.

  Or maybe she was the one against him. “I…”

  “Hadley, it’s Rizzo.” The male voice was calm and steady, the exact opposite of her racing pulse and rapid breaths. “Remember me from the ride over? I want to check you, okay?”

  She nodded.

  Someone touched her forehead and then her cheek.

  “She’s burning up,” Rizzo said. “She’s also dehydrated.”

  “She wasn’t this warm when I held her hand,” Blaise said. “That was right after we arrived.”

  “Can you tell me what hurts, Hadley?” Rizzo asked.

  “Chest. Hard to breathe. Cold.” She forced out each word. “Tired. Need to sleep.”

  “I’ll get the car,” Rizzo said. “Take her outside through the emergency exit in the back. I’ll pick you up in the alley.”

  Someone smoothed her hair. Must be Blaise.

  She was too tired to open her eyes.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled.

  “I’m the one who’s sorry.” Blaise’s voice was thick. “You told me you didn’t feel well, but I made us come.”

  “Let’s get her up.” That sounded like Adam.

  “I’m carrying her,” Blaise said. “I don’t want to chance her falling.”

  “No.” Her voice sounded raw. “I’m too heavy.”

  He picked her up. “You’re perfect.”

  Yeah, right. Though Hadley hoped she remembered his words the next time she chose a donut over a piece of fruit. Because a donut would always win.