The Wife Finder

by McClone, Melissa

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Shoulders hunched, Hadley entered her office. No sense of pride or accomplishment flowed through her this Monday morning. Only regret. She’d put her dream of buying a house ahead of her company. She’d broken her rules and trusted her heart. She only had one person to blame for what had happened—herself.

  Blaise’s harsh words about her company would fade from people’s memories. She just didn’t know how long that would take—a week, a month, six months?

  Would more clients leave?

  Would Matched by Lowell survive?

  If not, how long could she live off her savings?

  That, Hadley realized, was her biggest fear—to find herself unable to support her family. She wouldn’t put her sister and the kids into another situation where they lost their home. Which was why last night, after everyone had gone to bed, Hadley had searched for a second job where she could work while trying to salvage her company. She hadn’t applied, but that was on her to-do list. She needed to update her resume first—something she hadn’t done since she started her business.

  Her eyes were gritty, but touching them would make it worse. She’d cried so much, not even cold compresses and cucumber slices could help the swelling and redness.

  That didn’t stop her from forcing a smile now. She didn’t want Ella to worry. Hadley had been doing enough of that for the both of them.

  She went to her assistant’s desk. “Any calls or messages?”

  The worry in Ella’s dark gaze didn’t bode well. “Yes.”

  Hadley’s insides twisted. She didn’t have to be a mind reader to know the news wouldn’t be good. “More clients want out.”

  Ella nodded. “I’m pulling their contracts for you.”

  Hadley’s stomach hardened, but she wouldn’t lose hope. Not yet. “How many are left?”

  “Three.”

  She didn’t think her heart could break more. She was wrong. A tsunami of turmoil tore her up inside, but she needed to be strong. Ella counted on this job.

  Hadley raised her chin, attempting to appear in control when her world was imploding around her. “Those three will have our undivided attention.”

  Finding clients through word of mouth might not be enough any longer. She’d never had to advertise, but she would if it meant her business survived.

  The corners of Ella’s mouth curved. “Until new clients sign up.”

  Follow Ella’s lead.

  Think positively.

  “All three left messages of support, saying they are fully committed to you,” Ella continued as if knowing Hadley needed to hear good news. “Jonathon is excited about his date tomorrow night and wants you to call him. Sounds like he might need a pep talk.”

  Jonathon was a sweet, bookish intellectual from New York. He’d made his money off patents. He hated living alone in what he jokingly called the ivory tower, a high-rise apartment building in the heart of Manhattan. He wanted to share his life with a woman who adored books and cats. “I’ll call him.”

  “He wanted to know if you’ll be in New York next week in case he needs more dating practice.”

  The smart move would be to say no, but Hadley still had a client on the East Coast, which meant she would travel there as planned. “I will.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Ella sat taller. “Business as usual.”

  Hadley nodded, afraid of how her voice might sound if she spoke.

  “Leila called to say Travis is the one.” Ella beamed. “They’re going out again this weekend.”

  “Wonderful.” Leila was the CEO of a retail chain based in the Midwest. In her late thirties, she’d taken over the company for her father. Now that she’d expanded and doubled revenue, she didn’t want her priority in life to be work. She wanted to find love. “I’ll call her for an update.”

  “Geoff wants to know how he can help.”

  Of course he did. Warmth centered above Hadley’s heart. Geoff lived two blocks away from her in the Marina District. He worked at an investment firm that was a rival of Clint’s former one, but unlike her ex-brother-in-law, Geoff was the definition of a nice guy. He would be perfect for Fallon, if she was ready to date. But she wasn’t, so Hadley would keep looking for his love match. “I’ll call him, too.”

  “You’ll find new clients.”

  “I intend to.” Hadley was straddling the line between remaining positive and being in denial. “But put together a resume. I will see this through to the bitter end if need be, but I don’t want you to find yourself jobless.”

  The day dragged.

  She’d spoken to each of her three clients. Then, she’d canceled contracts and refunded retainers for the rest. She was honoring her money-back guarantee even if a few were taking advantage of the policy, given she’d introduced them to their future spouses and the wedding invitations were in the mail.

  A lesson learned.

  An expensive one.

  The office phone kept ringing. The calls were from the media, wanting to ask her questions or requesting an interview.

  By the time four o’clock rolled around, Hadley was wiped out. She slumped in her chair, trying to see past the tears brimming in her eyes. She hadn’t cried yet today, and she didn’t want to.

  “Hadley?” Ella stood in the doorway. “Henry Davenport is in the lobby. He wants to see you.”

  Seriously? Hadley had no idea what the guy wanted unless he was canceling their arrangement, too. “Send him back and then go home. We’ve done all we can today.”

  “Tomorrow is a brand-new day. We will survive.” Ella's optimism never faded. “You built the company from scratch. You’ll do it again. I have faith in you.”

  “I appreciate the support and your confidence. I hope you know I’ll give you a glowing recommendation if needed.”

  Ella shook her head. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I appreciate the offer, and I will update my resume, but I don’t think I’ll need to use it.”

  Gratitude washed over Hadley. She was so lucky to have Ella. “See you tomorrow.”

  Her assistant grinned. “You can count on it, boss.”

  Hearing “boss” reminded Hadley of Lex and Rizzo.

  And…Blaise.

  Something pressed hard against her chest. She forced herself to breathe, but it wasn’t easy. Even after everything that had happened with Blaise, her heart missed him. She missed him.

  And that made her feel like an idiot.

  She wanted—no, needed—to forget about him. It would take time, but she hoped not too much.

  The office phone rang. Hadley grimaced. The media sure was persistent, but she’d told Ella at three o’clock to let all calls go to voice mail. They could delete the messages tomorrow morning.

  A few minutes later, Henry strolled in wearing a designer suit and looking as if he’d just stepped off the pages of a glossy fashion magazine.

  Hadley stood. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  Henry walked around the desk and hugged her.

  She wanted to cling to him but fought the urge and let go of him.

  He stepped away from her. “Rough day?”

  Nodding, she motioned to the chair on the opposite side of the desk. “What brings you to San Francisco?”

  “I was compelled to come.” Henry sat. His gaze was earnest. “I’m sorry for what happened with Blaise.”

  She forced herself not to react and sat. “Thank you, but it’s not your fault.”

  “I recommended you to him.”

  “Still not your fault.” She kept her voice steady. At least she hoped that was how she sounded. “An apology isn’t necessary.”

  “I’ve heard rumors about your business.”

  As if on cue, the office phone rang again. She would have lots of messages to delete.

  “They’re true.” Hadley had nothing to hide. No doubt what she’d worked so hard to build was now a punch line over drinks. “I have a handful of clients left. Three to be exact. And yes, it’s as bad
as it sounds.”

  As his eyebrows drew together, he leaned forward. “What are you going to do?”

  She shrugged. “Try to salvage this somehow. If I can’t, close and find a new job.”

  Henry straightened. “Then my timing is perfect.”

  “For what?”

  He beamed. “Bringing you a new client.”

  Affection for her friend overflowed. Henry might be eccentric, but his heart was made of gold. “That’s sweet of you, but we both know you’re not interested in a relationship. Hosting your own birthday party each year is the only commitment you want to make.”

  His laughter filled her office. “You know me well. I enjoy having an uncomplicated life. I do what I want and don’t have to worry about anybody else. Which is why I’m not the one who wants your services.”

  “Then who?”

  “He wants a nondisclosure agreement signed first.” Henry removed sheets of paper folded in thirds. “He takes his privacy seriously, especially in matters of the heart.”

  “Not a problem.”

  The office line rang again. Man, these reporters needed to get a life and stop preying on people like her.

  She read through the pages. A blank space had been left for the client’s legal name. “I’m used to these forms, but you know I work a certain way.”

  “I explained you have a unique way of doing business and he must talk to you in person before you take him on. He’s fine with that.”

  There was one thing she had to ask. “Did he see the video that went viral?”

  “Yes. He has, shall we say, specific needs, and we believe you’re the only one who can help him.”

  “Specific needs or requests appear to be my specialty.”

  Henry nodded. “Which is why I consult with you before any of my birthday adventures.”

  “So far, your couple matches have been spot-on.”

  “True, but having you confirm compatibility reassures me. I want everyone to live happily ever after.”

  “So do I.” Her chest tightened, thinking after she matched her three clients she might not get the chance to do it again. Hadley loved what she did. “Where is the client located?”

  “At the moment?” Henry glanced toward the doorway. “In the front lobby.”

  “Oh.” That was unexpected. “I didn’t realize you’d brought him with you.”

  “I've worked with you enough to know your process. Trust me, he doesn’t want to waste a single moment.”

  A warning bell sounded in her head. She needed the client, but she didn’t want to destroy her success rate. “Does he understand the search can’t be rushed?”

  “He’s aware, and he’s eager to get started.” Henry pulled out his phone. “May I have him join us?”

  Fallon had the kids this afternoon, so Hadley didn’t have to be home right away. Henry was a friend who’d brought her several clients over the years. She trusted him.

  She didn’t enjoy being caught off guard with a pop-in potential client, but she needed to save her business. Rules had a place but so did practicality and common sense. “Yes, that’s fine.”

  Henry tapped on his phone. “He’ll be here shortly. Have I shared the latest photos of Noelle?”

  Hadley oohed and aahed over the cute little girl.

  The office line rang again. Maybe she should have asked Ella to turn off the ringer before she left.

  A door opened and then closed.

  Henry grinned. “That must be him.”

  Hadley grabbed an empty folder from her desk drawer. When she looked up, a man stood in the doorway. Not just any man…

  “Blaise?” She whispered his name, unsure if it was a plea or a question. “What are you doing here?”

  Henry stood. “My work is done.”

  Hadley stared at Henry, who was walking around the desk toward her. “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m just trying to help right a few wrongs. Hear him out. That’s all I ask.” Henry kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

  * * *

  What are you doing here?

  Blaise didn’t answer Hadley’s question. He couldn’t because all he wanted to do was stare at her. She looked like he felt—awful. And that hurt because he was the one who’d caused them both so much pain.

  He stepped into her office to let Henry exit.

  Henry patted Blaise’s shoulder. “Good luck.”

  Blaise would need more than luck. He needed a miracle.

  Did he expect her to give him a second chance?

  No.

  Unlike his friends, who were sitting in the lobby to lend moral support after coming up with this multipronged plan, Blaise wasn’t an optimist with matters of the heart. He had no experience. But his careless, thoughtless words had affected her business.

  Whether or not she wanted anything to do with him personally, he would help save her company. An interview he’d given had gone live fifteen minutes ago. That was his first step to making sure Matched by Lowell survived. Because it wasn’t only her livelihood at stake. Her sister, niece, and nephew depended on Hadley, too.

  Eyes wide, she remained seated.

  Slowly, he approached her desk. The tension in his shoulders made him want to slump, but he forced himself to stand straight. His gaze met hers. “I’m sorry, Hadley. I never meant to hurt you or your business. I’m doing what I can to make it right.”

  A beat passed and then another.

  Hadley rested her clasped hands on the top of the desk. “There’s nothing you can do to help me.”

  Her body language translated the words into what she really meant—I don't want or need your help.

  Blaise understood, but he had to try. He would do whatever it took to make this right for her. “I didn’t mean what I said on the video.”

  “You said what you believed in that moment.” Her tone was cool and professional, but the quiver of her lower lip told him she was far from okay. “Nothing can change that. The clients who left Matched by Lowell aren’t coming back. They’ve canceled their contracts and been refunded their retainers.”

  That was worse than he thought. “I did an interview.”

  She didn’t blink or show any emotion. “What does that have to do with me?”

  “I answered questions about what I said on the video,” he explained, wishing he could take credit for the next part. Offering an exclusive interview had been Brett’s killing-two-birds idea. ”I spoke with the reporter who I had a run-in with several weeks ago.”

  Her eyes widened. “The one you had a fight with?”

  This wasn’t the time to get caught up in semantics. “Yes. He wasn’t the one who filmed us.”

  Hadley opened her mouth, but no words came out. She rubbed her forehead. “I guess that’s something.”

  Her office phone rang.

  “Do you need to get that?” he asked.

  “No, it’s more reporters. Probably looking for a statement about your interview.”

  “Not clients?”

  Hope flared in her gaze but quickly died. “I spoke to the three earlier.”

  He flinched. “Only three?”

  She nodded once.

  Blaise felt nauseous. “Dash and Wes are quoted in the interview. Both praise your matchmaking abilities.”

  She inhaled slowly. “I’ll thank them for that.”

  “I hope the interview helps. There are other things I will do.” Blaise hated how the light in her eyes had dimmed. Worse was knowing he’d done that to her. “If we—”

  “There is no we.” Her tone was hard and hit him like a punch to the gut. “You made that clear in Las Vegas. You were pretending. That’s all.”

  He hung his head with shame. Yes, he’d said that, but he hadn’t meant it. “I was wrong. I was too upset to see what was right in front of my face.”

  Defiance in her eyes, she raised her chin. “What would that be?”

  “You.” The word seemed to hang in the air. “I didn’t want to fall f
or you. I never planned on falling for anyone. Opening myself up the way I did. Allowing myself to be vulnerable. Hurt. Abandoned. I had enough of that with my mom and dad. But you. You broke through. You made me feel. Made me believe that I was worth more than my account balances. And then you chose Wes.”

  She didn’t say a word, so he would keep going.

  “I mean, you didn’t choose Wes, but I thought you were picking him over me. The same way my parents picked heroin over me. And I lost it. Because even though I’m older now, and should be more mature, I’m still that little boy who wants someone to want him. To pick him over everything and everyone else. To make him feel like he’s number one.”

  She blinked several times. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Then let me talk. I miss you, Hadley.” Blaise poured his emotions into his words. “I can’t take back what happened. I would if I could. But please understand how sorry I am. I don’t care about the bet. But losing you has devastated me.”

  She closed her eyes. Exhaling, she opened them. “I was trying to do the right thing for your friend. I never meant to trigger a reaction from you. But what you said, how you reacted. Yes, we started off pretending, but I thought things changed pretty quickly. They did for me, so I broke the rules. I was happy to do that because I believed your feelings were the same as mine.”

  “Please. Let me make it up to you.” He wasn’t above begging. If she wanted him to grovel, he would. “Not just for your business. But you. I hate that I hurt you.”

  “Hurt?” Her gaze hardened and gleamed, cutting him to the core. “I'm heartbroken. I convinced myself you were different. That we had something special.”

  “We do.” He didn’t want to lose her. “If we can start over—”

  “It’s too late.” The words, full of angst and sadness, tumbled out of her mouth. “I appreciate you doing the interview, and I hope it helps. But whether or not it does, I have to start over with my business. Save it. For myself and my family. That will take everything I have. There won’t be anything left of me to give.”

  He stiffened. “What are you saying?”

  “Goodbye.” Hadley’s voice shook. “I’m sorry you made a wasted trip to San Francisco. I know how valuable your time is.”