As long as David agreed with her, there was nothing they couldn’t do.
Taylor and Roman had no idea what was coming.
Roman
“Mom, how are you feeling?” Roman claimed a seat on the settee across from his mother’s quasi-permanent position while she recovered. The soft greens and pale mauves accented the cream foundation of the room and Roman actually felt comfortable in the space. When he was growing up, the room had been his least favorite since he’d been so worried about breaking something or ruining things.
But growing up and becoming as wealthy as he was, he’d quickly learned that most anything was replaceable. Even cream-colored carpeting.
“Roman, you sounded down on the phone. Is everything okay?” His mother cocked her head to the side and studied him with motherly eyes. How did she know when things weren’t right? Even when he’d lived in France she’d known.
The gift was uncanny.
Still, he shook his head, denying anything wasn’t exactly like he wanted it.
“Don’t lie to me, Roman. What is going on?” She folded her hands and rested them in her lap while she assumed her listening expression.
Roman half-grinned. “Fine. The only reason I’m giving in, is because I know you’re more relentless than I am.” He sighed. “I don’t want any of the candidates. We don’t have enough time for me to call in someone who would actually be picked by Olivia. She isn’t interested in an accountant or a newspaper owner. She won’t care about the Nascar racer or even about the car dealership owner that Brock said would make a good option. None of these guys have what I know Olivia would go for. She’d want someone with more money than her, or at least someone who wouldn’t care if she had money. She’d want to be with someone who makes her feel smaller than she is.” Olivia’s height was always something she’d complained about, even though most women would kill for the extra inches Olivia had been blessed with.
“Have you talked about this with Taylor?” Mom leaned to the side, pressing on her side with her fingers and minimally wincing as she listened for Roman’s answer.
“No. She’s the competition. Why would I compare notes with her?” No one seemed to understand the concept of a contest in that town.
His mom furrowed her brow and then brushed her hair from her shoulders. She sighed and studied him. Finally, she spoke. “Look, Roman, I understand the importance of the competition. I really do. Usually the prizes and the publicity are second to none for more work throughout the year. But… I don’t only match for a living. We have multiple streams of income and if the matchmaking disappeared, then we would still be fine.”
Taken aback, Roman blinked as he considered his mother. Almost all of his money came from matching or investing which he did through matching. He was able to get the inside scoop on many businesses because he’d matched the people starting the businesses up. He genuinely wanted to know why else you would match. “Then why do you match, Mom? I mean, I busted my butt overseas and worked to make that branch of the Wilson Matchmaking Company strong and productive. You’re telling me all of that was in vain?” He blinked at her, shocked that his efforts could be minimized that exponentially.
“What you’ve done has been far and away above the call of duty. I’m not undervaluing your efforts at all. What I’m saying is that the money part is not why Wilsons match.” She waited for him to accept that statement, which he didn’t want to initially.
He had more money than he knew what to do with because of his efforts in the matchmaking industry and other financial investments. Could he really match for another reason? “What are you saying then?” Roman didn’t understand why else you would match.
“Most of us match because love is what everyone sings about, talks about, pays for, and longs for. When you find your partner, nothing else should come in the way of that. That’s why I match. That’s what is more important here than the competition. Has your client been happily matched? If you can’t answer that with a confident yes, then you’ve lost, even if you’ve technically won. Do you understand?” She watched him with narrowed eyes.
Was she saying that Roman needed to do whatever it took to make sure the client got what she wanted? If that was the case, Roman might as well sign himself up as the match.
He nodded while his mom continued speaking, thinking over and over what his motivations were and why he needed to win.
Was he trying to win to make a point? Of course. He wanted to prove to his family, the town, and the Deans that he belonged in Mistletoe matchmaking just as much as they did. Not only that he belonged, but that he was just as good as them.
He still wanted to escape since Taylor was there, but he needed to come home when he was trying to recover from a divorce or something equally hard and not have to worry about fitting in.
“Do you think you’re happy, Roman?” His mom cut into his thoughts and he snapped his gaze to hers.
He cleared his throat, sitting up higher in his seat. “Of course, why wouldn’t you think I’m happy?” Maybe Brock had said something.
His mother shook her head. “I’m not suggesting you’re not happy. I’m just asking if you are. I know things didn’t work out with Melissa. I’m sorry.”
Why would his family be sorry for him about his failed marriage? He’d run away to Italy for a fast wedding, hoping that marrying that woman would erase Taylor once and for all from his head and heart.
The problem was, scars never went away. They didn’t even fully heal. Once Roman could accept that, he’d fit in better. Or maybe, just maybe, he didn’t have to prove anything to anyone.
But himself.
Chapter 9
Taylor
Pride bruised; Taylor wasn’t sure she wanted to continue with the competition. If nothing else, maybe she could hand the public portion off to one of her sisters. Even the time she was expected to spend with Roman would be better handed off to someone like Cari or Lily.
The rate she was going, Taylor wasn’t going to be able to keep her emotions in check the next time she saw him, if he did anything out of the ordinary. Roman wasn’t known for being consistent, though.
Maybe it was better that he’d left her. She needed stability. She needed to be able to rely on someone and Roman had proven time and again he wasn’t that person. Her dad had always been adamant, though, they were a good match. That was the first time Taylor had questioned her father’s matching skills.
Her heart had never argued with him. She felt like she belonged with Roman, but after years of being alone, she realized she didn’t need to believe in the one soulmate for everyone. Maybe that just wasn’t the truth.
Maybe you could be happy with whoever you were with at the time.
It didn’t matter. Taylor didn’t need to worry about her beliefs in that department. At least not when she had an important match to make.
Clutching her planner close to her chest, Taylor picked at the hard cover corner as she scanned the room to take a measure of who and what to expect.
A higher than normal amount of press had shown up. Probably because word leaked out at the kick off that the client was Olivia Jensen.
The suitor announcements were usually well attended, but this was more than even the kickoff had been. At least the committee had planned accordingly and there was more than adequate sitting room for everyone.
As soon as Roman entered the large auditorium, Taylor’s entire body knew it. She could feel him in ways she couldn’t explain. Unfortunately, that didn’t make her feel better about her situation or anything else for that matter.
How was she supposed to be able to start a life with someone else – whoever Dad and Elizabeth matched her with – if she couldn’t think straight with Roman in the same room? That was counterproductive to what she was trying to achieve. She wanted marriage and babies and so much more than just arranging other people’s ever-afters while she pined for happiness.
Mr. Gentry took his spot at the podium while Roman sat on the other sid
e, just outside of Taylor’s line of view. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining us today. We have had a terrific start to an exciting matchmaking holiday season. As you know, matchmaking in Mistletoe is a generations long tradition that is spear-headed by the communities two longest standing families, the Deans and the Wilsons. We are moving along and today; our two matchmakers will be announcing the suitors they have chosen for the contestant. Remember, if you see the dating going on around town, please don’t hesitate to mark it down on the app we have at MistletoeMatchmaker.org and post pictures up as well. Let’s start with Taylor from the Dean family Matchmakers and her announcement.” Mr. Gentry stepped aside, clapping his hands as the rest of the attendees applauded politely.
Taylor took a deep breath and rubbed her hands down her thighs as she stood up. Normally, the Deans announced last, but that didn’t matter. It wasn’t a big deal. She was ready to announce the guy she’d chosen for Olivia.
She ignored the steady way Roman watched her walk to the podium. She pretended to herself that she didn’t see him from the corner of her eyes or that she knew when he leaned forward or adjusted himself in his seat.
Staring out at the crowd, she refused to think about the way Roman’s shoulders had looked in his nicely pressed blue button-up shirt and the way his jawline had been enhanced by the shape of his Stetson.
Taylor inclined her head toward the flashing cameras and the waiting faces. “Thank you, Mr. Gentry. Hello, ladies and gentlemen. After extensive time spent on getting to know details about Ms. Jensen, I feel like she and I could be a good match.” Taylor laughed with the crowd at her joke and shook her head. “But seriously, the person Olivia Jensen is will be very easy to match because of her sincere desire to find happiness. After my research and watching the interactions between the people, I’ve determined that Stephen Johnson is going to be the best match for Olivia. I’m sure Mr. Wilson has a different perspective, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.” Taylor winked at the crowd as they laughed again at her friendly jibe.
She cast a glance at Roman with a teasing smile on her lips for the benefit of the crowd, suddenly curious by the anticipation on Roman’s face.
The suitor she’d chosen moved from the crowd of sixteen candidates into the seat beside where she’d been sitting and smiled, waving at the crowd.
“Thank you.” Taylor nodded at the smiling faces below her and returned to her seat.
Mr. Gentry laughed as he approached the microphone again and motioned toward Roman. “And now, Roman will announce the Wilson family’s selection.” He stepped back, giving Roman plenty of space to claim the podium.
Roman stood slowly, adjusting his hat as he made his way to the stand. His jeans were well-stacked over shiny dark brown cowboy boots with fine stitching.
Taylor looked away before she got lost indexing all of her favorite things about him, things that had changed over the years but only for good. She hated that she got lost in the attraction between them. She couldn’t rely on that pull for a relationship, for commitment. Not when he’d proven himself to be nothing worth waiting for, or for crying over.
Except… in her heart of hearts, Taylor had to admit they’d had more good times than bad. She’d honestly thought he was the one. The greatest mystery of her life was why he’d turned out to be so different that she’d believed him to be. Could you really fake who you were at nineteen?
“Well, I hate to steal what Ms. Dean claimed about being a good match for Ms. Jensen, but…” He turned and included Taylor in his encompassing gaze. “The Wilson team has selected Roman Wilson as their candidate for suitor for Ms. Jensen this matchmaking season.” He held his smile steady as the crowd erupted with murmurings and surprise.
Taylor worked to hold her expression neutral as pain twisted in her stomach. He’d declared himself a perfect match for Olivia Jensen. Someone he’d brought into the contest. Someone he’d known previously. Could this be rigged? Could this be his way of getting a public proposal and adding to his international brand?
Not to mention, was it in accordance with the rules? Taylor ducked her head as she pulled out the handbook of rules and expectations as well as calendars for the contest. Ignoring the hectic noise around her as it swelled from the crowd and the people on the stage, Taylor flipped through the pages, skimming to see where it was against the rules to be a contestant while also being a matchmaker.
She couldn’t find it. She flipped faster, half-standing from her seat.
Stephen leaned over, tapping her shoulder. “Taylor, what does this mean? Is he a guaranteed win?” Stephen was worried and he should be. A sushi restaurant owner, even one as good-looking as Stephen, was no match for the charismatic Roman who had billions to his name and more on his side.
Taylor leaned over as she stood fully. “Don’t worry. I’ll get this figured out.” It had to be against the rules of the contest.
She strode the short distance to Mr. Gentry who was also flipping through a similar green and red handbook.
“Did you find anything? I looked, but I feel like we need more time to be able to study this more fully.” Taylor opened her booklet as well, glancing between the two books to see where Mr. Gentry had his opened to. Maybe she’d looked in the wrong spot.
“I don’t think it’s against the rules because it’s never needed to be addressed.” Mr. Gentry sighed, glancing up and then straightening. “Mr. Wilson. This is completely unorthodox. I’m not sure we can allow this kind of a suitor announcement. You might need to go back and decide from a less invested group of men.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but I’ve had my lawyers scour the rules and the playouts of the contests in the past. There is nothing that says I can’t be both suitor and matchmaker. In fact, I think this is a good thing for publicity, since it shows that even the matchmakers avail themselves of the services.” Roman stood with his thumbs hooked in his rear pockets and an easy slant to his shoulders. He really wasn’t worried about it.
He wasn’t lying. Taylor knew his tells and he wasn’t showing any of them. He might have figured out that running his hands through his hair, blinking rapidly, and even shifting his feet were all tells that he was lying. But while it was possible he had fixed one, maybe even two, the likelihood that he’d fixed all three wasn’t high.
Taylor sighed, chewing on the inner part of her cheek as Mr. Gentry continued flipping through the booklet. Staring at Roman, Taylor hoped he didn’t see the hurt in her eyes or realize how disappointed and betrayed she felt.
The last thing Roman had done when he’d last been in Mistletoe had been to run from marrying Taylor. The first thing he was doing now that he was back would match him to a woman who was nothing like Taylor. Could he be showing the world and Taylor that they’d never been a good match?
She didn’t care. She couldn’t care. Did she really care if Roman nominated himself as the suitor? Not really. She was in the middle of her own matchmaking with Elizabeth and her father. She just had to get Roman out of her head.
She dropped the booklet to her side, shaking her head. “It’s fine. Roman can be the matchmaker and the suitor. It’s not against the rules.” She eyed him and pointed the corner of the booklet at his chest. “You’ll be expected to attend all suitor functions as well as all matchmaker requirements. You’ll essentially be working double duty, do you understand?” She arched an eyebrow as if that would make him rethink the entire thing.
He slowly nodded as he searched her face. “Right. Got it. You really don’t mind?”
Flashing a bright smile at both Mr. Gentry and Roman, Taylor shrugged with just one shoulder. “Why would I mind? You’re giving yourself more work. That’s on you.”
She’d never admit how much he’d hurt her. She’d never admit how much she had hoped he would see her for what she’d become. Was it too much to hope he’d seen her and come to his senses? After eighteen years, the answer to that question was a resounding yes.
The shadow of his hat leant a da
rker glint to his eyes as he slowly nodded. “Okay, I agree to all of the conditions.”
Taylor reached out and snagged the forearm of Roman’s shirt before he’d fully turned back to his seat. She waited until he raised his eyes from her hand to her face before speaking. “You can’t change your mind halfway through. You have to follow through with your suitor of choice to the bitter or sweet end. No matter what happens. Do you understand? If Olivia chooses Stephen, which I fully intend her to do, then you have to accept that.” Would he understand what she was saying? He couldn’t rig the contest. He couldn’t do anything else to ruin the integrity of the competition.
He nodded slowly, dropping his gaze to her fingers again. She slowly lowered her hand from his arm, more than aware of the nearness of his body to hers and the line of electricity that wanted to zing between them.
Maybe she was delusional, though. Maybe she was the only one attracted. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d thought they were on the same page only to find out she’d been way off.
As soon as the announcements were recorded and the crowd dispersed, Taylor ducked out the side door and all but ran to her SUV. She pulled out her phone and connected the blue tooth as she called her dad, pulling from the parking spot and driving through town.
He answered on the second ring. “Taylor, honey, are you okay? I heard about what happened at the announcement.”
“Of course, I’m fine. I agreed to it. It’s not a big deal.” She clenched her teeth together, slowing at the only stop light in town. “I was calling to see if you had come up with anyone for me to date?” She couldn’t sit back while Roman dated Olivia Jensen and Taylor tried to keep them apart. That just made her look desperate and stupid.
Neither of which she was going to accept.
“We’re looking. It’s hard with Halloween right around the corner. No one is really looking at being matched for the holidays.” Which was a blatant lie. The holiday season was the busiest for matching, because no one wanted to be alone during the holidays.
Matched With Her Cowboy Billionaire Ex-Fiance Page 8
