Dylan tucked her phone into her back pocket and picked up the vase. She would put these in the office for now. The manager was off today so no one else would be in there.
Just as she set the flowers on the desk, her phone buzzed. Thinking it was Clay, she pulled it out, prepared to tell him she'd have to talk later.
Instead, it was the same number from the night before.
Who are the flowers from? That guy from last night?
Cold engulfed Dylan's body and she shivered.
WHO IS THIS?
There was a long pause, so long that she feared they wouldn't reply. Then again, she feared what their reply might be.
Finally, the message came up.
Why are you hurting me this way?
This had gone far enough. Creeped out, Dylan clicked on the number and selected the option to block it. She didn't have to put up with weird text messages from strangers.
Satisfied that took care of the problem, she was about to slip the phone back into her pocket when it rang. She didn't recognize this number either. Her first instinct was to ignore the call, but if the caller was the creep texting her, maybe giving them a piece of her mind would make her less freaked out.
"Hello?" she barked into the phone.
"Hello, Ms. Hayes. This is Veronica Salt from Mystical Matchmakers. Have I called at a bad time?"
Dylan relaxed a bit. "Oh, no, it's a fine time."
"Wonderful. I was calling to see how your date went last night."
A little thrill ran through Dylan as she thought of the previous evening. "It was good. We had fun."
"I'm glad to hear that," Veronica said. Dylan could hear the smile in her voice. "Did you schedule another date?"
Dylan ran a finger over one of the yellow roses in the bouquet. "Actually, yes, we did."
"That's great. I'm glad the two of you are getting along. Would you like to discuss anything or ask any questions before your next engagement?"
"Um, well, I don't think so."
Veronica must have sensed her confusion. "I realize you've used dating apps, but a matchmaking service is different," she said. "We do more than just help you find someone compatible. We can help you prepare for dates or plan future ones. Or even give you advice on how to make the most of a date."
While the vetting process had been rigorous, Dylan hadn't asked too many questions about the rest of their services. She was more interested in making sure that she wasn't matched up with any more frogs.
"I think I'm okay for right now," Dylan replied.
"Okay, no problem," the other woman said. "I do have one other question, though. I have another client who might be a good fit for you. He's a shapeshifter and works for a publishing house. Considering your love of books, I thought you might be interested."
Strangely enough, Dylan wasn't. Usually, she would have jumped at the chance to go on a date with someone in the book world. Even if they didn't click, they could at least talk books during their date, maybe strike up a friendship.
But she didn't really want to see anyone else. Not until she knew if last night's date with Clay had been a one-off or not.
"Thank you for the offer," Dylan said. "But I've already arranged another date with Clay and..." She paused, searching for the right words. "I don't like the idea of going on other dates after I've clicked with someone the way I have with him."
"That's also understandable," Veronica said. "Have you discussed this with Clay? I don't currently have another client that might suit him, but when I do, I'll be in touch with him about it."
The woman's voice was gentle, as though she were worried about hurting Dylan's feelings.
"I understand," Dylan said. "And I will talk to Clay about this, but he also has to make his own choice. I'm not going to pressure him into dating only me just because I'm not interested in dating someone else."
