“Oh?”Maybe all is not lost.“You exchanged numbers? That’s great.”
“She had some interesting PR ideas I thought Sullivan might like to discuss with her for the new launch.” Sterling lifts his mug and takes a slow mouthful, his eyes holding mine over the rim.
I watch his tongue dart out to lick his lips between his silver stubble as he lowers it.
The milk from my coffee curdles in my stomach. I don’t get these things wrong. I can’t afford to get them wrong. My business is new, but I’ve amassed a powerful reputation for success from the high-profile clients I have matched. A reputation I need to maintain at all costs.
“So there wasn’t a spark? You didn’t feel anything?”
“No.” He places his cup down and watches me with interest.
My neck heats, and I run a hand over it as I glance around the restaurant at all the other diners enjoying their delicious breakfasts.
I might be sick.
I drag in a slow, deep breath. “It’s fine, don’t worry. You’d be surprised how many times the first match isn’t the one. Sometimes it takes a few dates before we find that connection, no matter how good it seems in theory.”
Juliette seemed perfect on paper. But I have to trust the energies when people are brought together physically. Sometimes the link just isn’t there.
It’s fine. I’m not going to fail.
“Okay. So, the next date. I’ll arrange it for tomorrow night. How’s that sound?”
Sterling’s expression stutters. “That soon?”
“Are you busy?”
“No. I can make it work. But Hallie?—”
I stiffen and concern paints itself over his face.
“You don’t like being called Hallie?”
“I…” I blink rapidly, my throat tightening. “My sister was the only one who ever called me it, that’s all.”
“Your sister?”
I nod, unable to answer as my throat burns.
He leans forward, resting his forearms on the white tablecloth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I should have realized last night when you looked… I don’t even know why I did it. It just slipped out.”
“I…” I search for the right words, but none come.
I know why.
“I’m the King.” Jenny laughs. “And you’re Queen Hallie. Now we get married.” We hug each other, gripping on tight as the homemade crowns we spent the afternoon gluing and covering in glitter fall over our eyes. Jenny presses a sloppy kiss to my cheek. “Happily ever after for Queen Hallie.” She kisses me again. The music she’s put on changes to another song. “Now we dance.” She beams as she begins to sway. I rest my head on top of hers as we move together, closing my eyes and getting lost in the music.
“When did you lose her?” Sterling asks softly.
Understanding fills his eyes. He knows what it’s like for your family to shrink. And for you to be unable to do a thing about it.
“Five years ago. Jenny caught pneumonia and…” I inhale shakily, my fingers trembling around my coffee mug. “She was only eighteen.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“She had so much love to give. The purest heart, honestly.” I blink rapidly. “It’s why I started Cosmic Connections. She would have loved to have heard about the matches I’ve made. All those love stories starting out. She believed in love more than anyone I’ve ever met. Shewaslove. I miss her every day.”
“It never gets easier. Time, I mean… you just get better at coping with it. But it never hurts less. Not really.”
