The Matchmakers

by Jennifer Colgan

  We’ll get the work done.´ `Heaven help them when I get my hands on whoever is responsible.´ John stalked away, leaving Nick to contemplate the mess. Shortly after Nick left the apartment, the cantankerous chime of the doorbell startled Callie out of her stupor. She dragged herself to the door, intending to pop herself into a respectable outfit on the way, but nothing happened.

  With her brain still fuzzed by the truffle hangover, it didn’t surprise her that her powers wouldn’t work properly. That left her again wearing nothing but Nick’s work shirt when she opened the front door a crack and peered out into the blinding Sunday morning sunshine. Miranda Voss stood on the steps, her voluptuous form poured into a pale yellow business suit and her dark hair styled to perfection. Her jaw dropped when she saw Callie. `You’re still here? And still half naked, I see.´ `For the moment.Ćallie squinted in the bright light and tried to focus on Miranda’s thoughts and feelings. `Where’s Nick?´ `He went out.´ Miranda leaned close, her eyes dark and sharp as glass. `You’d better not be lying to me.Ćallie reared back but forced herself not to slam the door closed. `You can look for yourself. He’s not here. You might have noticed his truck is gone.´ Miranda huffed through shimmering red lips. `Too bad. I have an important message for him, but maybe he doesn’t deserve to hear it.´ `I’ll relay the message.´ Miranda’s harsh laugh reverberated inside Callie’s skull. `This is for Nick only. Do you think you can remember to tell him I was here? He’s got my number. If he wants to know what I have to say, he can call me. If not, that’s his loss.Ćallie tried to muster an attitude equal to Miranda’s, but she didn’t have the energy. `I’ll tell him.´ `Make sure you do.Ćallie made no further comment. Miranda turned on her spiked heels and marched down the stairs, her hips swaying. In her wake, Callie shut the door as slowly and quietly as possible. She’d gotten no vibe from Miranda other than anger and jealousy. Whatever news she wanted to share with Nick remained a mystery.

  When she turned back toward the living room, contemplating Miranda’s cryptic words, a brilliant light nearly blinded her. Callie shielded her burning eyes against the glow of a pair of faerie wings. After a second or two, the brilliance subsided, leaving a beautiful blond woman with eyes the color of the night sky standing in the middle of Nick’s living room. `Meri!Ćallie squealed and rushed forward to embrace her sister. `You’ve come for me!´ Meriope folded Callie in a tight hug and wrapped her glittering wings around them both. In the warmth of her sister’s Fae magick, Callie’s head cleared, and the ache in her limbs subsided. By the time Meri let her go, she felt almost Fae again. When they parted, Meri’s wings disappeared, leaving her looking nearly human. She wore a flowered spring dress and smelled of fresh lilacs. `Oh, Meri! I’m so glad to see you. I can’t wait to go home, but I promised Nick I’d ´ Meri’s quiet sobbing stopped Callie cold. Crystal teardrops rolled down her sister’s cheeks. `What’s wrong?´ `I haven’t come to take you home.´ `But last night«´ Meri took Callie’s hands and led her to Nick’s couch to sit. `Freya sent me to tell you.´ `Tell me what?´ `She’s taken away your wings.Ćhapter Nineteen Nick trudged up the stairs to his apartment at half past six, his back aching from a hard day’s work. The place was dark when he entered, and for one unpleasant moment, he feared Callie had reneged on her promise to wait for him. His heart stuttered back to a normal rhythm when he saw her huddled on the couch shivering, the Mets blanket tucked around her shoulders. `Hey«´ He crossed the room in two strides, shutting the door behind him. Relief that she hadn’t left him battled with worry that she hadn’t yet recovered from her strange hangover. `Still feeling sick?´ He laid a hand across her forehead, and she looked up at him and nodded, her eyes full of misery. `I’m sorry I was gone so long.´ He smoothed her hair as he sat beside her and folded her body into his arms. She clung to him, shaking. He hushed her and stroked her back, whispering in her ear, `Tell me what’s wrong.´ She took a shuddering breath before answering, and her voice was thick and raw as if she’d been crying for a long time. `Only one couple. We only matched one couple last night.´ `Oh.´ Nick tried to ignore the guilty sense of relief. That meant she couldn’t leave him yet. `I was so sure«´ `I’m sorry. But we’ve only been at this for a few weeks. And if you think about it, we’re a third of the way there.Śhe nodded, and he pulled her close, settling her head on his chest. She spread her hand over his heart, and he wondered if she could feel it race. `I know we still have time, but I was so sure.´ `We’ll do it. We make a good team, and you were right about what you said last night.´ She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. `What did I say?´ `You told me I hadn’t been very much help, and you were right. All this so far has been your work. Let’s put our heads together and come up with a real plan. Who’s couple number one?´ `Catfish and the scarecrow.´ Nick laughed. `There’s a surprise. But that’s good. It’ll keep him from trying to put the moves on you . Who should we concentrate on next?Ćallie shrugged and sniffled. `I don’t know. Diane and Farley obviously didn’t work things out, and John didn’t even show up last night. Teresa still cares about him, but she likes Andrew also.´ `John might get jealous, but he’s got much bigger problems. Maybe we should work on Teresa and Andrew.´ `That would break Hayden’s heart.´ `You said she was only infatuated with him. She’ll get over it, right?´ `I don’t know. I hope so.Ćallie sighed, and to Nick’s surprise, settled her head back on his chest. Her body trembled, and he held her tight to banish the chill. `The first thing we need to do is get you over this hangover. I’m not as good a cook as you are, but how about I make some instant chicken soup and grilled cheese sandwiches? They’re guaranteed to make you stop shivering.Áfter dinner, Nick insisted Callie curl up in bed. He tucked the blankets around her and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. `You’re going to feel better tomorrow, right? I’m starting to get really worried.´ `I’ll be better tomorrow. I promise.Ćallie tucked her fists under her chin and closed her eyes. She pretended to sleep until he turned out the light and left the bedroom, then she rolled onto her stomach and buried her head in the pillows. She’d tried all evening to find the courage to tell Nick about Meriope’s visit, but the words wouldn’t form. He hadn’t noticed that she wore a pair of his sweat pants and an old t-shirt or that she’d eaten more in one sitting tonight than she had in all the days since her arrival. To her, the change seemed obvious, but Nick didn’t get it. He couldn’t tell she was human now, powerless and utterly doomed. She wanted to tell him her sister had cured the truffle hangover, but then Callie had discovered hours of crying produced the same horrible results in a human as a few drops of alcohol did in a Fae. Her head still pounded, her eyes burned and her heart lay in the pit of her stomach, aching like an open wound. She didn’t even remember showing Nick her wings. She hadn’t done it on purpose, but to Freya that didn’t matter. Once again, Callie had failed as a Fae, broken a rule in her carelessness. As an added punishment, she would now have to complete her task as a human in order to regain her wings and preserve her ability to love. Impossible. How could she manage to unite two more couples when her Fae intuition was crippled by human emotions like fear and overwhelming shame? How could she succeed now, when she didn’t even possess the courage to tell Nick what had happened to her? She cried silently into his pillows for what seemed like an hour before she heard him enter the room again. He sat on the bed and began rubbing her back, easing the tension in her taut muscles. `It’s all right, Tink. We’re going to be fine,´ he whispered as he brushed the hair away from her tear-ravaged face. Once again, he gathered her into his arms and held her. Together they settled on the bed. Callie curled herself up by Nick’s side, her head cradled in the crook of his arm. Despite her misery, she felt safe in his arms, and she almost believed him when he promised her that, together, they would succeed. She fell asleep believing he might be right. Nick woke to a dark, rainy Monday, sprawled across the bed and alone. `Callie?´ Her name escaped his lips in a dry whisper of panic before he remembered she hadn’t left him. She couldn’t. He’d fallen asleep looking forward to waki
ng with her in his arms, and the disappointment, along with the weather, left him irritable. He rolled out of bed and headed into the hallway, where the smell of shower steam and shampoo mingled with that of fresh coffee. He found her in the kitchen as expected, barefoot, a pair of his jeans rolled to fat cuffs around her ankles. Ropes of damp brunette curls hung down her back, darkening the forest green of his old football jersey. She’d been raiding his closet an awful lot lately. He should have minded. Instead his irritation fled, and a slow grin spread across his face. `Something smells good.´ She turned, a brittle smile stretching her lips. A sadness haunted her beautiful eyes, but when she spoke, her voice was full of artificial cheer. `I only made toast and coffee. Would you like cinnamon and butter on yours?Á voice in Nick’s head whispered he’d like a lot more than that. He crossed the room and slid his hands around her waist, hungry to feel her against him again. `You look like you’re feeling better.´ This morning, the familiar aroma of the bargain shampoo he used had replaced her signature scent of roses, but Nick didn’t mind. The combination of her lithe form in his arms and the warm scents that permeated the kitchen turned him on. He drew her body toward him and dipped his head into the curve of her shoulder. `You look good in my clothes.´ `They’re too big.Śhe squirmed away from him, leaving him feeling strangely empty. He followed her to the table and sat across from her, his gaze clinical as she buttered two pieces of toast and poured juice and coffee for both of them. `Are you sure you’re a hundred percent better? You look tired.´ `I’m fine. Actually, I have a lot to do today. Can you take me to Best Mart on your way to work? I need to buy some things.´ `Buy things? With money ?´ `Don’t worry. I’ve been saving my tips.´ `I didn’t mean that. I just«sure. But I have to leave here in forty-five minutes and Best Mart doesn’t open until ten. You’re not planning to pop inside and shop before they open, are you?Śhe raised an eyebrow. `No, I’m not. I didn’t realize how early it was. I’ll call Hayden and see if she can take me shopping later.´ Nick sipped his coffee, and Callie did the same. After the barest taste, she made a face and shuddered. `That’s horrible.´ Nick looked into his cup. `I don’t know. I’ve had better, but I’ve had worse, too.Ćallie dumped milk and sugar into her cup and took another experimental sip. She cringed. `Ugh. That’s no better.´ `You’re not a coffee drinker, I guess.´ `Apparently not.Śhe pushed her cup aside and bit into her toast. `Can you stop in the office today and visit with Teresa? I’ve been thinking. If she really likes Andrew, we should work on them as a couple.´ `What about Hayden?´ `She’ll be better off without him. Maybe, when all this is over, I can ask Freya if I can find a match for Hayden. She deserves someone very special.´ Nick finished his coffee and set the cup down. `I’ll see what I can do. I’ve got to take a shower and get moving.´ He bent and kissed her forehead, though he would have preferred her lips. She smiled at him, but her eyes didn’t show it.

  `Be good, Tink.Ás he left the kitchen, Nick thought he heard her mumble, `I don’t have much choice,´ but he wasn’t sure. Since he was already running late, he didn’t go back to check. Callie’s collected tip money and first week’s salary from the bar disappeared quickly during her shopping spree with Hayden. Late in the afternoon, they returned to Nick’s apartment, soaking wet from carrying shopping bag after shopping bag up the steps in the rain. Since she’d popped her work uniform out of existence before the party, she’d had to buy a new one along with several interchangeable outfits, underwear and a couple pairs of shoes. Hayden had insisted Callie add a frilly, lace-edged nightgown and a sexy mohair sweater to their cart along with a small collection of inexpensive cosmetics. Now Callie surveyed the dozen white plastic bags that littered the living room floor and sighed. She’d never needed `things´ before. Never had to try on clothes or hunt for a bra that matched a particular pair of panties. She’d never put on eyeliner or pantyhose, and she’d flatly refused to consider the need for eyebrow tweezers or a good exfoliant. Now she owned them all, thanks to Hayden. Oddly, the younger girl hadn’t questioned Callie’s sudden need for a complete wardrobe and grooming products. She’d been thrilled to shop all morning, take a break for lunch and then shop some more. Despite Callie’s underlying unhappiness at being human, she enjoyed Hayden’s company. By the time they’d settled in the kitchen with hot tea and cookies between them, she felt as close to normal as she imagined possible. The doorbell rang just as Callie reached for a cookie. Hayden clapped her hands and grinned. `Grab the chocolate! I bet that’s Trick-or-Treaters.Ćallie had almost forgotten it was Halloween. The realization dulled her mood a bit, considering in the Fae realm this was a day of great mischief and celebration. Nevertheless, she did as Hayden instructed and answered the door with a bag of tiny candy bars in her hand. A miniature faerie stood on the steps, a plastic wand clutched in one hand and a pillowcase in the other. Tucked in the crook of her small elbow, a tiny pink umbrella shielded her crowned head from the afternoon drizzle. `Trick or treat!´ Her enthusiastic bellow echoed in the courtyard. Behind the faerie, a small pirate struggled up the stairs, trying not to trip over a plastic sword that hung down to his sneakered feet. Callie pasted on a smile and dropped candy in their open bags. Their weary-looking mother waved from the bottom of the steps. `Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Lena. We live in G1.Śhe pointed down the sidewalk to the apartment two doors down.

  Callie waved back and introduced herself. `Nice to meet you.Ĺena’s friendly reply was lost in a whirlwind as her children grabbed her hands and dragged her down the sidewalk to the next apartment. Callie watched them go, her smile fading, her heart heavy. `They were so cute.´ Hayden beamed when Callie closed the door. Before they reached the kitchen, the bell rang again and Callie found a ghost, two hobos and a super hero complete with flowing red cape, vying for candy and fighting over their position on the narrow top step. `I hope we bought enough,śhe mused to Hayden after doling out one piece to each bag of loot. `I’ll go back to the store and get more. Don’t bother sitting down. School’s out. They’ll be coming in droves now.Ćallie laughed. `I’m not sure I can handle droves.´ `Come on, it’s no worse than Saturday night at Farley’s, only you don’t get tips. I’ll be back in a bit.´ Bewildered, Callie watched Hayden navigate past a giggling trio of ghosts as they climbed the stairs, bags at the ready to collect their treats. When they left, a skeptical tyke dressed as a farmer took their place. He gave Callie a critical once over as he held out a hollow plastic pumpkin. `Where’s your costume?´ he asked. `I haven’t had time to put it on.´ `What are you going to be?´ His gaze left her long enough to follow the path of the chocolate bar she’d dropped into his bucket. `I hadn’t thought about it.´ `What would you like to be the most in the whole world?Ćallie sighed, and her amused smile dissolved. `A faerie. I’d like to be a faerie.´ `I didn’t know there were that many kids in all of North America.Á weary sigh accompanied Nick’s complaint as he shut the door at nine PM and turned off the outdoor light. `You’d think the rain would have kept them off the streets.Ćallie sat on the couch, too tired to move. The evening had been a steady stream of Trick-or-Treaters. Every muscle she possessed ached from the day-long burden of being human. She pulled off her faux faerie wings and smoothed the skirt of her party dress, wondering how humans could stand to feel so tired all the time. Fortunately she hadn’t popped her costume out of existence after the party. She had actually enjoyed answering the door and waggling her fake wings for the children, but after wearing the costume all evening, she’d begun to feel silly. What had seemed like great fun earlier now only served to remind her of what she’d lost. Fake wings were no substitute for real ones.

  `It’s a good thing Hayden came back with all that candy. I’d hate to see what tricks we’d have had played on us if we ran out of treats,śhe said. Nick lowered himself to the couch and put his feet up on the coffee table. He unwrapped the last piece of candy and broke the small bar in half. `We’ve got one left. Want to split it?Ćallie accepted the treat and tried to ignore the tingle that raced up her arm when Nick’s fingers
brushed hers.

  I’m human now! The words played over and over in her mind, but she couldn’t force herself to say them. We’ve all but failed. We might as well give up. `How was work?śhe asked instead. Between shopping, cooking dinner, and answering the door all day, she hadn’t had a spare moment to think about her task. Guilt weighed heavily in her chest. If she couldn’t even concentrate on her mission, they certainly didn’t stand a chance of succeeding. `The rain didn’t help. By the time it started to let up, we had most of the damaged walls torn down and some of the rewiring done. Turns out we might have a flooding problem at the north end of the parking lot, so tomorrow John’s bringing the back hoe in to redesign the drainage layout.Ćallie contemplated while she chewed her half of the candy bar. `The last thing on John’s mind is falling in love, I guess.´ Nick shrugged. `Yep. He said the police didn’t have any leads. Whoever vandalized the site was an expert. They didn’t leave any clues.´ `Did you talk to Teresa?´ Nick sighed. `I forgot. Sorry. But like you said, John doesn’t have time to worry about ´ `I mean about the vandalism.´ `You think Teresa would know something?´ Nick sat forward, his expression quizzical. `No. I don’t mean she’s involved. But as the secretary she might know if any unusual people had called or visited the site. If this was an expert job, they didn’t just show up knowing exactly what to do to cause the most damage. They needed to have a plan, right? They’d have needed the layout of the site, like a blueprint of the building, to know how to get in and out fast with no one seeing them. Teresa might have a list of people who’d looked at the plans recently.´ `Anyone can look at the plans. They’re on file at the town building department.´ `Then someone should check there and see if they have a record of who might have seen them.´ Nick turned to Callie, admiration in his eyes. `I think you’re right. I’ll mention it to John tomorrow. If the police haven’t checked it out, someone should.Ćallie yawned and stretched. Her body protested with new aches and the heavy feeling of exhaustion. Nick nudged her. `Why don’t you go to bed? I was going to watch a little TV before I turn in. I guess I’m still wired from work.´ She contemplated Nick’s expression and weighed it against the wonderful feeling of comfort she’d experienced when they’d shared his bed. Guilt flooded out her human desires, though, and she shook her head. If she went into the bedroom tonight to sleep, it would be too easy to invite him to join her. `I can’t move from this spot. I’ll just put my feet up and doze off while you watch TV. It’s okay.´ Disappointment colored his eyes a darker shade of blue, but he nodded and shifted so she could stretch her legs out over his. `If you promise not to snore.Ćallie huffed in mock indignation and clamped her eyes shut. `Fae do not snore.´ The words came out without thought, and she silently berated herself for forgetting she was no longer Fae. She still hadn’t the heart to tell Nick her secret, and she wondered if she ever would.