The Wife Finder

by McClone, Melissa

  A good idea under the circumstances. Even if his arm wanted to slip around her and pull her close.

  Another rom-com flick played on the television. Earlier, they’d eaten dinner in these exact spots. His choice because he didn’t want her to get tired. A good decision because she’d been yawning. Still, that didn’t stop her smile from lighting up her face.

  Not because of anything he’d done.

  No, this had to do with the movie. She loved romantic chick flicks so much.

  Even though the movie continued to play, he ignored the screen and watched her. The expressions crossing her face were as entertaining as the film. Maybe more so.

  She laughed.

  The sound sent a burst of warmth shooting from him. “You’re enjoying this one.”

  Hadley nodded. “It’s one of my favorites. The actors have great chemistry. And it’s such a sweet story.”

  The other two movies had been “sweet,” too. She obviously had a type she preferred. One that he shouldn’t find too surprising given what he knew about her. But that made him wonder why she was still single.

  “You’re a romantic at heart. You’re a skilled matchmaker,” he said. “Why aren’t you dating anyone?”

  Her gaze traveled from the television to him. “Don’t you want to finish the movie?”

  He would have expected to be talked out after his appointment, but Dr. Alvarez’s questions brought out others. Ones for Blaise to answer eventually and some he wanted to ask Hadley.

  “Let’s take a break.” He paused the movie. “Need more tea?”

  Angling her shoulders toward him, she raised her mug. “I have enough.”

  “Hungry?”

  “Not after that dinner.” She touched her stomach. “The lasagna was to die for.”

  “The tiramisu is waiting for us in the refrigerator.”

  “And we’ll get to it, but I need a break first or I’ll explode.”

  “So, dating?” he asked.

  “I thought you might have forgotten the question.”

  “Never.”

  She took a sip. “I’ve had little luck with relationships, so I took a break from dating and it keeps getting extended.”

  “Why?” He studied her. She wore no makeup. Her complexion was still pale, but her cheeks had a rosy color to them. Her hair was tangled. “You’re smart and beautiful. Kind. And compassionate.”

  Gratitude flared in her eyes. Hadley stared over the lip of her mug. “Please, go on.”

  Blaise laughed. “I’m serious.”

  “So am I.”

  Except he could hear the humor in her voice. “Does living in San Francisco make dating harder? Or is it your family?”

  “It’s a few things.” She stared at the fireplace, but her gaze was unfocused. “I may possess a gift for finding the perfect spouses for clients, but I’ve had zero luck myself. I’ve tried, but I fell for men who weren’t…transparent.”

  “What happened?” Curiosity removed any hesitation he may have had asking.

  Turning her attention to him, Hadley raised a brow. “You want the gory details?”

  Yes. He’d take names, too. But admitting that might be rude. “How about you give me the condensed version?”

  She took a breath and then blew it out. “They…used me.”

  His hands clenched. “They?”

  “I wish it had been just one.” Hadley half laughed. “You think someone cares about you the same way you do about them, but all they really want is something from you. It…hurts.”

  Her words hit like a left hook. Blaise’s muscles bunched. He forced himself to breathe. “I want something from you.”

  “Not like them.” She touched the top of his hand as if to emphasize the point. “You hired me to do a job. I know what you want, and I’m being highly compensated,” she explained in a calm voice. “It’s a fair and even exchange, a business transaction.”

  Good, because the thought of hurting her slayed him. “Thanks for clarifying that.”

  “No problem.”

  She kept her hand on him, and he enjoyed her touch. That was something he’d missed last night—the contact with her.

  Amusement twinkled in her eyes. “Now if you wanted me to do your homework so you could play football. Or were trying to steal my work and promotion while saying how much you loved me. Or wanted me to make another woman jealous while asking if I wanted to spend the holidays with you, then it would be another story.”

  Losers. They didn’t deserve Hadley. “I’m sorry they hurt you.”

  She appeared resigned, not upset. “It’s that adage about kissing frogs. I just wasn’t ready to kiss more after that.”

  What about now? Blaise’s fingernails dug into his palms. He didn’t like thinking about her kissing anyone past, present, or future that wasn’t him.

  He needed to change the subject. “Does it bother you that the guy in the movie is using his boss to get what he wants?”

  Hadley shot Blaise a sideward glance. “He’s not using her.”

  The serious expression on her face, the way her lower lip stuck out, and her matter-of-fact tone was adorable. She would hate him using that adjective, but it was true.

  “His boss wants to stay in the country,” Hadley continued. “He wants to be an editor. Nothing’s secret or hidden.”

  “They’re transparent.”

  “Exactly.” She set her tea on the coffee table. “And that’s what I’ll look for when I date again.”

  When, not if.

  Interesting.

  “I mean, someday. Family and business are my priorities. I have little spare time.”

  “Same.” He liked how they could talk so easily about things. “It’s why I date, but only casually. Zero time for anything more.”

  “Any ex-girlfriends?” If she was trying to hide her curiosity, she was failing.

  He forced himself not to smile. “No.”

  “But you’re rich and handsome.” Her befuddled tone was cute, and her compliment made him sit taller.

  “I wasn’t always rich,” he joked.

  She laughed. “But you’ve always been handsome.”

  “Not even close,” he admitted. “In school, students knew me as the malnourished nerd. I’m sure I was number one on the school’s undatable list.”

  Her lips parted. “They had one?”

  “Well, if there’d been one, I’d have been in the top position. In college, I worked two jobs, so there wasn’t time for anything else. And now, I’m still busy.”

  “So it’s work keeping you from dating, not your…past?” Hadley asked.

  She meant his parents. Dr. Alvarez had brought up something similar during their session, but that was his job. However Hadley... “If the matchmaking doesn’t work out, I see a future for you in counseling.”

  Her face scrunched. “Huh?”

  “I visited my old therapist today.”

  Smiling, she leaned toward Blaise, her hand squeezing his. “How did it go?”

  He forced himself not to lace his fingers with hers. “Not as bad as I thought it would be. I’m going back next week.”

  “It’s so great you made that call.”

  Satisfaction flowed through him. “Opening up to you was the first step.”

  “And there will be many more.” Happiness radiated from her, making him want to soak it up. “But don’t forget. When you’re ready to date or if you meet someone, don’t come up with excuses so you can’t have a relationship. You own the company. Find the time.”

  Her entire demeanor shifted because she’d put on her matchmaker hat, which told him two things—she was feeling better, and he’d been spending time with the real Hadley, not the one she showed to clients. The realization shouldn’t have pleased him as much as it did.

  “You’ve been doing that this week. Working from home. Leaving early enough to have dinner with me,” she added. “That means you have some flexibility.”

  Yes, but he hadn’t thought about
taking advantage of that until her. Which was why he shrugged off what she said. “What kind of host would I be if I worked all day and went out to dinner as I usually do while you’re here?”

  “Robyn’s around.”

  Blaise wasn’t sure what she was getting at. “Would you rather I hadn’t come home tonight?”

  “No.” The word rushed out. Hadley’s cheeks turned pink, but this time, he wasn’t worried about her having a fever. “That’s not what I meant. I enjoy our evenings together.”

  Good.

  “Me, too.” Truth was, he would miss her when she returned to San Francisco. But that wasn’t something he wanted to think about tonight. “Want to finish the movie?”

  “Yes, please.” She faced the television screen. “I’m ready for the HEA.”

  “HEA?” he asked, unfamiliar with the term.

  “Happily ever after.”

  Of course. That must be why she enjoyed these movies so much.

  “If anyone deserves a HEA, you do.” He pressed play, wondering if she would laugh, cry, or sigh when this one finished.

  Knowing Hadley, maybe all three.

  * * *

  On Friday night, Blaise sat with his friends in Dash’s over-the-top backyard. Lights were strung across the extravagant patio, which contained a fully stocked bar with four beer taps, a gourmet outdoor kitchen, firepit, and a barbeque grill on steroids.

  Typical Dash.

  Blaise had come over after having dinner with Hadley. She was at his house. Cambria, Selah, and Rachael had stayed home. He’d only wanted the six of them here tonight. Henry and Brett hadn’t been invited. Blaise would talk to them, but first, he needed to see how Adam, Dash, Kieran, Mason, and Wes reacted.

  Iris had put out chips and salsa on the table. Some homemade guacamole and spinach-artichoke dip, too. That went better with the beer and whiskey they were drinking than cookies and brownies, though those were in the kitchen. But she wasn’t here, either. Lights twinkled in the charming guesthouse off to the left in the backyard where she lived.

  Sitting with friends, eating and drinking, was a great end to the week. If only that was the reason they were there.

  A lump returned to Blaise’s throat. It didn’t burn as hot as it had with Hadley. Progress? He hoped so.

  “So what did you want to talk about?” Dash asked him.

  “Don’t tell me,” Mason teased. “You and Hadley are engaged.”

  “Give them another month or two.” Kieran raised his beer in a mock toast. “Not everyone falls in love overnight like you.”

  As jokes about dating and fast engagements went around the table, Blaise sipped his stout.

  Okay, he was procrastinating. So sue him.

  “There’s something I want…need to tell you.” He blew out a breath, trying to ignore the hammering of his heart. “I’ve been vague about my parents, but there’s a reason. They were heroin addicts.”

  No one said a word. No one moved. No one even blinked.

  He continued talking, the words spilling out. He didn’t look at anyone. Not because he needed to concentrate. No, this was fear—plain and simple. So, he’d focused on the salsa that had dropped on the table. The only other thing he did was keep flexing his fingers. He wasn’t sure why, but it helped him.

  When he’d told them everything, he forced himself to glance around the table.

  His friends stared at him with expressions ranging from disbelief to confusion.

  Except for Wes. His nostrils flared. His narrowed lips matched his hard gaze.

  That was unexpected.

  And disappointing.

  Blaise fought the urge to stand up and ask Wes what he was thinking because Blaise had thought—believed—Wes would understand, more so than anyone else.

  Wrong.

  That cut deep.

  Blaise had screwed up. Wes’s response was proof of that. Blaise only hoped he could repair the damage.

  “That’s everything.” He took another sip, gripping his glass like a lifeline, which probably was worrying his friends, so he loosened his hold and set the pint on the table. “I’m sorry for not telling you before. I… I wasn’t ready.”

  “Dude.” Dash refilled Blaise’s glass. “Don’t apologize. What you went through sucks. Big-time. I’m just glad you feel comfortable telling us now. You mentioned a few things over the years, but none of us took the time to dig deeper. That’s on us, not you. I’m sorry for not being a better friend.”

  Blaise’s jaw dropped. His ears rang. He couldn’t believe what Dash was saying. But he was relieved and thankful, oh so thankful, for having a friend like him.

  “Out of the mouth of babes,” Adam murmured.

  Kieran nodded. “Leave it to the Wonderkid.”

  The others nodded except for Wes, whose eyes were dark and serious.

  “I don’t get it.” Wes sounded confused and angry, annoyed and frustrated, too. “All those times at the hospital, hour after hour during my treatments, and you never thought to tell me about your parents.”

  “Easy, big guy,” Mason cautioned.

  “It’s okay,” Blaise said. Whatever Wes was feeling had to come out, too. “Go on, Wes.”

  “That your mom and dad OD’d, and you found each of them.” Wes’s voice was strained. “You didn’t think we needed to know that in case you had an anxiety attack or PTSD or something?”

  Shaking his head, Mason covered his mouth with his hand as if to keep himself from saying something he shouldn’t.

  Adam rubbed the back of his neck.

  Kieran blew out a breath. “Wes…”

  “Some bad memories surfaced when I was at the hospital with you. I dealt with them.” Blaise had never lied to anyone. He’d just withheld some facts. “I wanted to be with you.”

  “You were going through chemo,” Adam reminded Wes as if he could have forgotten. “Blaise wasn’t ready to discuss his parents. Even if he had been, he was there for your appointment. For you. And he didn’t lose it. He held himself together, which you should be proud of. I am.”

  Adam’s words gave Blaise a much-needed boost. The way what Dash said had.

  A vein throbbed at Wes’s jaw. Lines formed around his mouth. “What makes tonight the right time?”

  Mason cursed. “Stop being such a—”

  “Don’t.” Kieran patted Mason’s shoulder.

  Mason pressed his lips together.

  “It’s a valid question.” Blaise wanted nothing to come between the six of them. These men were the closest thing he had to family—brothers. The only ones who could understand the wild ride he’d been on with Blai$e. He didn’t want to lose that. Or them. “Hadley said I should tell you.”

  Wes’s posture went ramrod stiff. “She knows?”

  “She knows.” Hadley had described their relationship as a business transaction, but this week they’d become closer. No kissing, but their touches and glances made him want…more. If only she could stay in Portland, but she would fly home on Sunday. “I’d been keeping the past hidden, locked away deep inside me, pretending what happened didn’t matter. That was a mistake. One I didn’t realize until I told her.”

  “I’m happy you did,” Adam said.

  The others nodded.

  “So you like her?” Wes asked, his tone more neutral.

  “I like her.” How much, Blaise wasn’t ready to admit, not even to himself.

  Dash laughed, his smile growing. “You know, when I found out she was a matchmaker, I thought you’d hired her so you could win the bet. Looks like I was wrong.”

  “The same thing crossed my mind after I ran a search on her.” The smile tugging on Wes’s lips brought a rush of relief to Blaise.

  Which was why he couldn’t lie to them.

  “The bet has come up,” he said.

  “I mentioned it to Hadley at the restaurant on Saturday night,” Mason admitted.

  “Of course you did.” Wes snorted. “Misery loves company.”

  Kieran laughed. “W
e’d be miserable without our lovely wives.”

  Mason raised his glass of whiskey. “We want you three to be as happy as we are, and if Blaise’s matchmaker can help with that…”

  Wes rolled his eyes the way he always did. “Be honest, you want to split the fund six ways. Which is what will happen if Dash, Blaise, and I marry in the next nine months.”

  Blaise decided keeping quiet was the smartest move.

  Mason shrugged half-heartedly. “Who wouldn’t want to split the money?”

  “The last single man standing.” Smiling, Dash leaned over the table. “Is Hadley going to find women for Wes and me to go out with?”

  Wait? The guy sounded excited. Was Dash willing to go along with Blaise’s plan? That would make things easier when Hadley found potential matches to introduce to the guys. He didn’t want her worrying about making a mistake. “I’m sure she could. Are you game?”

  “As long as I don’t have to do anything other than pay for the date, sure,” Dash said. “You know me.”

  “Mr. Status Quo, hates change, don’t make me be social,” they all said in unison.

  “I’ll drink to that.” Dash took a sip of his beer.

  Tonight was not turning out as Blaise imagined. He’d built this up in his head, but only Wes had any issues, and those seemed to come more from concern about Blaise. His friends were the best. “I’ll mention it to her.”

  “What about you, Wes?” Kieran asked. “Do you want Hadley to find you a date?”

  Wes shrugged. “It’s been a while.”

  “Annabelle?” Mason asked. Of course he would be the one to say the name of the woman who was never mentioned around Wes.

  Wes nodded before sipping his club soda.

  Tension hung in the air, thick like the smoke from the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge two years ago. Annabelle Noble was persona non grata. She’d broken up with Wes after his cancer diagnosis and moved to the East Coast, much to everyone’s relief.

  Wes needed a woman in his life who cared about him, who wouldn’t be afraid of cancer, and who didn’t care about his money.

  “Are you interested in going on a date?” Blaise asked, but he wanted to give Wes an out. “If not, no worries?”

  “I guess I’d be up for meeting someone new.” Wes’s expression was unreadable. His tone steady and unemotional. “But one date is all I’m committing to. One.”