ChapterOne
Nova Eckhart loved experiencing new things. The thrill and anticipation of the unknown enthralled her.
She always tried to keep an open mind and a compassionate heart.
But even she had her limits.
She joined Mystical Matchmakers a few weeks ago because of a postcard she got in the mail. As she usually did when she was presented with a new opportunity, Nova jumped on it. How else would she know if something was worthwhile if she didn’t give it a shot?
While the five dates she’d been on were fun and the males were nice, she didn’t click with any of them. Still, she wasn’t quite ready to give up. She enjoyed herself enough to know that Dominique Proxa was the real deal. She could feel it.
It would just take a little time to find the right match.
There was one experience Nova hadn’t had and that was falling in love. While she wasn’t in any huge hurry, something, some instinct, had told her to give Mystical Matchmakers a shot.
So, she was on date number six and, unlike the others, she wasnothaving fun.
That was a lie. She was having fun, but not because her date for the night was funny or interesting or a great conversationalist.
No, she was having fun because she was doing her best to see what it would take to make his head explode. Nova was pretty sure that the moment was nigh.
Torin Gallagher sat across the table from her and he looked like he belonged on the cover of the romance novels she liked to read. Wild dark hair that nearly brushed his shoulders, tattoos peeking from beneath the collar of his t-shirt and wrapping his arms to the wrist, and incredible blue eyes that made her breath catch the first time they met hers.
He was a walking wet dream.
Unfortunately, wet blanket was a better description for his personality.
He looked like hot nights and spontaneous days of adventure, but every time he opened his mouth, he sounded like an uptight jackass.
While she might not be all that attracted to him, Nova was enjoying herself as she poked and prodded him verbally.
It was a shame really.
After the silence between them went on for too long, Torin sighed and asked, “What do you do for a living?”
Her brows lifted. This would be fun. “I’m currently between jobs.”
His expression took on a dark cast and his brows lowered. “You’re unemployed?”
Nova’s lips twitched but she pressed them together before she grabbed her water glass and took a sip to hide the smile.
“Yes, I’m unemployed. I’ve had several offers but I’m still looking for the right fit.”
Torin continued to scowl. “What’s a right fit? You get a job to pay your bills.”
She put her glass down, cocked her elbow, and rested her chin on her hand. “Oh, really? So, any other job would do for you if your current one didn’t work out?”
“I have an emergency fund, I’d be okay until I found another restaurant.”
Nova smirked. “What makes you think I don’t have an emergency fund?”
“Well, you did pay for a matchmaking service while you were unemployed,” he argued.
Jeez, this guy was a piece of work.
“Maybe I’m independently wealthy,” she tossed out, betting his reaction would be disapproval of some kind.
Ha! She would have won that bet. His scowl increased. “That explains a lot, actually,” he said.
