Veronica nodded. “I understand. It’s just that…”
“You want to help both of them and you don’t want to see either of them hurt,” Dominique said for her. “I realize that your empathic abilities make this part of the job difficult for you, but sometimes our clients have to meet several matches and even go through a failed match or two before we can find the right fit. It’s normal.”
“I know,” Veronica replied. “It’s just difficult to watch…and to feel.”
Dominique’s hand moved from her shoulder to Veronica’s hand and she gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. “I know. Just remember that you’re helping them. They may get hurt from time to time, but in the long run, you’re going to help them find their mate. Everyone deserves to find a mate.”
“I’m not sure about everyone,” Veronica said, remembering the exiled fae courtier who’d come into the office a couple of months before. He’d been insufferable and obnoxious.
Dominique’s mouth twitched as though she knew exactly who Veronica was thinking about. “Even rude, arrogant people have their perfect match,” she said lightly.
Remembering the cold, remote ice sprite he’d ultimately been matched with, Veronica suppressed a shudder. They’d certainly been a perfect match.
Dominique rose from her perch on Veronica’s desk. “Call Clay and see if that puts your mind at ease,” she repeated. “I think it will because Clay is a nice troll. His mother is definitely a character and it seems she raised him very well.”
Veronica remembered the woman. Even as exasperated as she was with her youngest child’s perpetual single state, love radiated from her every time she mentioned him. That was the only reason Veronica had allowed her to sign her son up for the service without his written permission. Usually, it was against company policy to do such a thing, but she’d made an exception based on both Mrs. Dugan’s descriptions and Dominique’s conditional approval.
Mrs. Dugan had readily agreed to let the matter drop if Clay absolutely refused to use the service, but she’d been confident she could convince him to at least give it a try.
Now, Veronica understood why. Beneath her maternal exterior, Sydney Dugan was pure stainless steel and stone. There was no resisting her.
“Call him,” Dominique repeated. “Either it will put your mind at ease or it won’t, but at least you won’t be worrying about it anymore.”
“I will.”
Dominique disappeared back into her office, shutting the door behind her.
Veronica stared at the phone on her desk for a long moment before she sighed and opened up the contact files on her computer. She scrolled through until she found Clay Dugan’s entry and picked up the phone.
Before she dialed the number, she breathed a quick prayer to the gods and goddesses that he was going to make the same choice Dylan had.
If he did, it would definitely restore a piece of Veronica’s faith in male creatures. Albeit, it would only be a small piece, but hope was hope. Even a little hope could make all the difference in her outlook on romance when it pertained to her.
ChapterSeven
Clay stood outside Thai Kitchen at seven-twenty the next day. It was a cool night, but he wanted to wait for Dylan to arrive before he went inside. It was already dark out and he didn't want her to have to walk in alone.
His mind went back to the call he'd received from Veronica Salt yesterday enquiring about how his first date with Dylan had gone. And how she'd asked if he wanted her to contact him if she had any other matches for him.
Maybe he was an idiot, but he'd asked her not to call him. At least not yet. He wanted to see how things went with Dylan.
He'd only had three matches before her, but they'd all annoyed the shit out of him. This was why he'd been single for so long. Most people annoyed the shit out of him, no matter their gender.
Getting laid wasn't even enough reason to put up with an irritating personality anymore. The older he got, the more willing he was to go without sex if there was no connection beyond the physical.
He could never admit that to any of his friends. They'd rag him to hell and back. Never mind that most of them were married. Except for Rune, his neighbor, and Torin. Maybe he’d suggest Mystical Matchmakers to both of them since they were all going through a dating dry spell.
He promptly forgot about his friends and any future ragging when he saw Dylan turn the corner from the parking lot toward the front of the restaurant. She wore a crimson coat, the rich color making her pale skin glow. Her eyes were bright blue and sparkling as she walked closer to him.
There went his heart again, doing a crazy tap dance against his ribs. He realized that he didn't give a damn what anyone thought of his choices because just the sight of her smile made him happy.
"Hey," she greeted him as she drew closer, the late winter breeze swirling through her hair, making it flutter around her face.
"Hey." He tucked his hands into his pockets to keep from grabbing her.
She walked right up to him, saying, "There's just one thing I need to take care of before we go inside."
He stared at her in confusion as she reached up and hooked her hands around his neck, tugging his head until he bent down.
