She popped up on her toes to kiss him, twisting her fingers in his hair. “About that date . . .”
“Friday night,” he said. “I’ll skip the library and pick you up at seven.”
She smiled. “No dickies?”
“No dickies.”
They came together again, kissing languidly until Arnie shouted for Lilli to come out and make some coffee already because the line was out the door.
So she dragged Ben with her and he took a seat near the counter so he could hear Lilli singing while she brewed espresso and mixed up lattes.
And when the crowd erupted in applause, Ben was the first one to lead a standing ovation.
The Romance Reassignment Bureau puts right what Fate has wronged. Ben Rigby and his team are the best agents in the business. When they receive a double assignment for the same night, they are forced to examine their true purpose in the matters of love and fate.
After the wrong halves of each couple meet by accident, can Ben, his team, or even Fate stop these opposites from attracting?
Ben Rigby’s existence was different from the majority of those who shared this afterlife. He held a coveted position with the Romance Readjustment Bureau or commonly known as the RRB. A position most others strived to achieve yet could never attain.
His leather wingtips echoed off the marble floor, the door he sought coming into view. One deep breath in and he was ready to face his newest assignment.
“Rigby! In!” called the voice beyond the door.
Ben entered and closed the door behind him. “Sir?”
Mr. Kingsman looked up from his notes to wave Ben in and to have a seat.
“I’m afraid The Fates have been busy. I have a double assignment for your team this week.”
Ben’s team usually got the most challenging jobs, and after decades with the RRB, he’d seen situations like this many times before. His experience, however didn’t alleviate his nerves. Love was a tricky business. The variables were endless.
“What have you got for us?”
Kingsman handed over two folders with all the information Ben would need to complete his tasks.
“The first couple,” Kingsman pointed to the pictures in the first folder. “Quinn Farley and Marcus Starling. Farley owns and operates the bakery called Bake That in Lampton, Illinois. Starling is the Lampton East High School Athletic Director and Head Varsity Football coach. The Fates stepped in to stop their initial meeting at the bakery. Your task is to get the two to meet at the Varsity football game they will both be attending tonight.”
Ben looked through the detailed information. What always interested him in these reports were not only the couple’s past lives but their future ones as well.
“Six children and nineteen grandchildren. Impressive!”
“Yes, this one is imperative. The Starling’s granddaughter will become a United States Supreme Court Justice. Get this one right, Rigby.”
No pressure there. “Yes, Sir. The next couple?”
“Jackson James and Maryann Lewis. James is a juvenile court judge. Lewis is an English teacher at Lampton East High School. The couple missed their first meeting at the local library when The Fates interfered. They’ll also be attending the same football game tonight.” Kingsman looked over his notes then turned his gaze on Ben.
The folder spread out before him was a big difference from the first. The James family would only comprise of two sons, one of which would produce no children. The other would marry twice and have three children, but the occupation was unclear for him and the children.
“This one lacks specific details. I’ve never seen one so... light.” Ben picked up the thin folder with a foreboding feeling. Something wasn’t right.
“These assignments may be the most important of your career. If I had anyone else to spare, I’d have them take the James case, but we’re stretched thin. The Fates have been extremely busy as of late. Don’t let me down, Rigby.”
“Have I ever, Sir?” Ben faked his confidence. He somehow knew this assignment would not be an easy one.
“Not yet, but you’ve only been with us four decades.” Kingsman stood, indicating the meeting was over.
“I’ll report in when we’ve completed both assignments.” Ben stood and left the office as efficiently as he came in.
He held the folders in his hand and walked the same hallway he had moments before. His wingtips made the same sound on the marble floor, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was completely and utterly different.
Ben entered his office to find his team waiting for him. His tightly wound demeanor gave away his feelings on the meeting right away.
“What did Kingsman stick us with now?” Lyric, his second in command, asked and blew a piece of hair off her forehead.
His other two team members, Aldo and Rena, waited patiently for his instruction.
“Double assignment tonight in Lampton, Illinois” He handed over the two file folders to Lyric. Rena went into autopilot mode, her fingers racing across her keyboard. Aldo pulled up the location on the wall screen to focus on where they were heading.
“A football game,” Lyric mumbled. “You know I hate the outdoor ones. Everything is so hard to control.”
“That is where I come in.” Rena smiled and stopped typing. She turned her monitor to display her calculations. “Only five to ten mile an hour winds out of the northwest. Sixty-seven degrees and clear skies throughout the game.”
Aldo pointed out the assigned individuals on his screen. “James is taking his daily run through Lampton. Lewis is volunteering at the library. Farley is assisting customers at her bakery and Starling is working out with a few of his players on the field.”
Ben looked at the four as separate individuals then as couples. Something didn’t add up. “I can see Lewis and James together, but something is wrong with Starling and Farley. Do we have a list of Farley’s former partners?”
A few swipes on the keyboard and Rena brought up a detailed list. “Starling is athletic like most of Farley’s formers are, but none of them have careers in that field. Her latest is a motorcycle fabricator in Chicago.”
“Double duty never sits right with me, Boss,” Lyric said with a pointed stare at Ben. “Think Kingsman is screwing with us again?”
Ben looked at Farley’s profile again, the nagging in his gut still prevalent. “I’m not positive, but we don’t have much time to figure it out.” He threw the file on the table. “Aldo, center in on James. I want to see what he is doing right now.”
The late September morning greeted Jackson James with a hearty dose of sunshine and fresh air. His daily run prepared him for the day, but being a Saturday, there was no need to rush.
The route was ingrained into him so thoroughly that he had no reason to think and could simply listen to the music pouring into his ears. He passed the insurance agency, the post office, and the comic book store, as per usual.
The smell of gasoline and burning rubber hit his nostrils before he even turned the corner. A three-car accident would be the cause of a slight detour that morning. Order to his schedule was usually paramount, but since it was the weekend, he could be a bit flexible. One block up and another over would have him back on his usual path.
His general rigidness didn’t usually bring him to the currently remodeled neighborhood. He wasn’t at all surprised to see several shops he hadn’t noticed before. The rather large purple sign with six-foot high cupcake caught his eye.
Distracted, Jackson collided with a young man on the sidewalk.
Jackson yanked out his earbuds. “So sorry,” he apologized and helped the man up from the concrete.
“It’s ok. No damage,” the man replied then looked up to notice whom he smashed against. “Judge James?”
“Sam?” Jackson uttered in recognition of the much taller version of the boy he knew. “How are you? Wow, you’re tall.” Once completely vertical, Sam Farley surpassed Jackson’s six foot three frame.
“I
t’s been a few years since my adoption. It looks like I even have a few inches on you.” Sam slapped Jackson on the back.
Sam and his younger brother, Alex, were the first adoption he finalized as a juvenile court judge in Lampton. Their adoptive parents were only fifteen years older than Sam, but Jackson believed the Farley family was where the brothers were meant to be.
“It appears so.” He shook his head, as he lifted his gaze a bit to meet Sam’s eyes.
“I’m just on my way into my aunt’s bakery. Have you been in yet?” Sam asked and pointed to the store with the purple sign.
“I haven’t. I’m not big on sweets.”
“It’s not all sugar-filled crap. I’m here to pick up these amazing muffins my aunt makes for my team before each game. They’ve got protein and carrots and some other good stuff, but they taste amazing. Come on, you have to try one.” Sam pushed Jackson’s shoulder toward the shop.
A glimpse of a blonde dancing around the shop caught his attention, and he found himself walking toward the door without responding to Sam’s invitation.
Once inside, Jackson was mesmerized by the blonde, as she danced to the Sugarhill Gang’s Apache blaring through the store speakers. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Blonde waves flowed past her shoulders with dark pink coloring the tips. Her round breasts heaved with every move to the beat. The curve of her hips enthralled him in a way no other pair had in the entirety of his thirty-three years.
Jackson stood next to Sam through the entire scene. The song ended, and the blonde bowed, as the rest of the customers hollered and clapped in approval.
“Thank you! Thank you!” she exclaimed out of breath.
Sam wolf whistled and caught her attention.
Jackson felt a million volts surging through him when those brilliant blue eyes met his own. A large lump formed in his throat the second her lips curled upward.
“Sammie!” The blonde hugged Sam and stepped back to look Jackson over from head to toe. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Judge James. Judge, this is my aunt, Quinn Farley.”
“So nice to finally put eyes on the famous Judge James. My brother and sister-in-law are forever in your debt for helping bring Sam and Alex into our family.” Her eyes had a genuine, playful sparkle while she spoke.
“You can call me Jackson.” He stuck out his hand for her to shake. Once enveloped with hers, his hand warmed, the sensation slithered up his arm and throughout his entire body. She was nothing like any woman he’d met before. The spark within him bloomed to a point he could no longer control, which scared the hell out of him.
“And you can call me Quinn or baker lady. I respond to either.” Her light laugh spiked his heartbeat higher than when he ran full out.
Sam coughed and brought Jackson back to his senses. He let go of Quinn’s hand and crossed his arms over his chest, his hands balled into fists.
“Judge needs to try some of your muffins.”
Jackson’s mind went to a not so innocent place, and he held back the growl pleading to get out.
“Good thing I made some extras.” Quinn walked behind the glass display case full of muffins, pastries, and cakes. She placed a large box on the case then plucked a muffin from a tray and put it on a plate. “On the house.”
Jackson mumbled a thank you and picked up the muffin. If he were to describe the first bite as heaven, the second could only be called utopia. The blend of cinnamon, vanilla, carrots, and walnuts along with a host of other ingredients derived a pleasure so intense he almost lost his balance.
Quinn rushed up behind him and held him upright. “You okay?”
Jackson swallowed and turned to her with a smile. “This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
“You haven’t tried my pie yet,” Quinn blurted out before she could stop herself. She clamped her mouth shut, her instant blush burning her cheeks. Her demeanor was playful up until that moment. Now the walking sex-on-a-stick must think her crude, as evident by his matching rose-colored glow on his clean-shaven cheeks. There was no doubt he caught the obvious double meaning of her response.
“I’m sure it’s just as delicious.” The husky tone of his voice rocked her back on her heels. She would be the one in need of support if he used that voice again.
“Feel free to come in anytime and have a sample.” She dug her own grave on that one.
Jackson chuckled and nodded. “I’d love to.”
“Hey, Judge.” Sam smacked Jackson’s chest. “I’m starting in the game tonight. You should come see us play. We’re undefeated this season. The guys swear it’s because of these muffins.” Sam gave Jackson a pleading look Quinn had fell victim to thousands of times.
“You can sit with me if you’d like.” Quinn did her best to act cool, but the heat in her cheeks reminded her they were likely still bright pink.
Jackson’s smile widened. “I’d love to.”
Quinn’s skin still buzzed hours after her encounter with Jackson James. The men who usually caught her attention had tattoos and beards, rode motorcycles and drank beer. Jackson looked as if he played golf, read spy novels, and watched every calorie he took in. Why in the world would he be the one to send fire through her veins?
“Still weak in the knees, I see.”
Quinn’s assistant, Kara, entered the kitchen to tease the boss.
“Not weak. Maybe a little woozy.” Quinn wiped her brow and left a trail of flour behind.
“You’re going vanilla.” Kara placed a tray of cupcakes on the work table in front of Quinn.
“That man is far from vanilla,” Quinn quipped and began frosting the delicious treats.
Kara hopped up and sat on the work table. “You usually go for the Devil’s Food with plenty of chocolate chunks topped with milk chocolate buttercream.”
Quinn shook her head, though she couldn’t deny what Kara said.
“That doesn’t mean a girl can’t change her mind.” Quinn placed a perfect swirl of frosting on top of a cupcake. “Maybe he’s not my usual type. Lemon Vanilla cake topped with coconut crème frosting and toasted almonds can be tasty, too. I think it could be even better.”
Quinn frosted the last cupcake and looked at Kara with a satisfied smirk. Vanilla looked pretty damned irresistible in the form of Jackson James.
The plan Ben’s team pasted together seemed a little too simple but might work out for the best. Each member positioned themselves to keep their target in sight.
“I’ve got eyes on James,” Ben informed the team through their com devices. “Lyric, where is Lewis?”
“East side of the bleachers. Looks like she’s talking to a few students.”
“James is heading her way.”
Ben held his breath as Jackson James took each step that would bring him into contact with Maryanne Lewis. After ten steps, Ben flicked his wrist and Lewis stumbled right into James’ arms.
“Good one, boss,” Lyric cheered.
Ben stood within hearing distance of the couple and see part one of the plan play out.
“I’m so sorry,” Maryanne exclaimed and untangled herself from Jackson’s arms.
“No worries, Miss. I seem to be bumping into a lot of people today.”
Ben watched with a careful eye while the two introduced themselves and noticed something they were severely lacking. Spark. Oh, they were pleasant enough to one another, but no jolt at the first touch of a soul mate.
Ben shook his head at the sight. He knew there was something not quite right about these assignments, evident by the two people with no attraction what so ever.
“Aldo? Rena? What do you have on Farley and Starling?”
“Farley’s nephew is walking with her at the east end of the field. I think he’s going to introduce her to his coach,” Rena responded. “Why did we need to be here for this?”
“They missed their first scheduled meet.” Ben shuffled his way through the crowd to see Farley and Starling meet for the first time. Once again, no spark. Starling qu
ickly shook Farley’s hand but had his eyes on his clipboard or the field throughout the exchange. Ben rolled his eyes and threw up his hands. These were the most tedious meets his team encountered to date.
“Can we wrap this up, boss? They clearly don’t need us here,” Lyric uttered in her usual annoyed tone.
“Give it a few more minutes. The game hasn’t even started yet.”
After their research earlier in the day, Ben knew without a doubt their assignment failed to figure in the meeting between James and Farley.
Ben positioned himself between the two couples, waiting in anticipation of James and Farley meeting again.
The wind picked up a bit and ruffled Ben’s hair across his forehead. It blew across the field in short bursts, something he did not expect. He looked up to Lyric still seated in the bleachers. She gave a shoulder shrug, not understanding the unusual turn of the winds either.
A knot in Ben’s gut twisted at how everything about this assignment seemed wrong. When Ben noticed a football sailing through the air toward the east end of the field, he finally understood why.
Thirty-three long years taught Jackson James many things. How to speak, read, and write three different languages. How to pass the bar after only forty-five minutes of sleep. How to master the art of making the perfect exercise playlist. One thing he would never learn was the best way to approach the first date.
Not that meeting at a high school football game to see her nephew play was a date. No. Not a date. Then why did he feel like it was?
He’d spent hours getting ready. Nervous knots overwhelmed his entire body while he tried to figure out the right combination of sexy and accomplished. Quinn wasn’t like any woman he’d met before. He didn’t know how to take the next step. The ins and outs of the psyche of a female like Quinn was completely out of his depth.
Jackson arrived at the field with no clue how to proceed. Lost in his thoughts, he was shocked when a woman stumbled into his arms.
“I’m so sorry,” the redhead professed while she disentangled herself from his arms.
What the Heart Wants: An Opposites Attract Anthology Page 7
