He had to do it today because he was leaving tomorrow, and he wouldn’t have time once he was on the road.
Between prep work and opening the restaurant for lunch, Torin stepped into his cramped, messy office, and took out his cell phone.
Within moments, Veronica answered, “Mystical Matchmakers. This is Veronica. How may I help you?”
“Veronica, this is Torin Gallagher.”
“Good morning, Mr. Gallagher. How are you today?”
“I’m fine but there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“Of course. What can I help you with?”
Veronica’s voice remained pleasant, but Torin sensed that she knew what was coming.
“I’d like to put my membership on hold. I’m about to leave town for work and I’ll be gone for at least two weeks. Likely even three. I won’t have time to connect with any new matches.”
“I see,” Veronica replied.
Something about her tone set him on edge.
“Is it possible to pause my membership?” he asked, wondering if that was the problem.
“It is,” she answered. “But are you sure that’s what you want to do?”
“Yes. Why?”
Veronica paused and Torin knew he wasn’t going to like what she said next.
“You haven’t been as…committed to the process as most of our clients.”
He hated it when he was right.
“I’m a very busy man,” he said, hating the defensive edge in his words. But, dammit, he was busy. So damn busy he didn’t have time to meet women the normal way. Whatever in the hell that was.
Veronica was silent for another long moment, and he knew he was going to like what she said next even less.
“Are you sure that you want to find your match, Mr. Gallagher?”
“Of course,” he answered. “Why else would I utilize your service!”
Shit, now he was yelling.
Torin took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” he said.
Rather than angry, Veronica’s words were gentle when she said, “I understand you’re frustrated and you don’t like the questions I’m asking you, but it’s my job to help you find your perfect match. The problem is I can’t do that if you’re not truly open to the process.”
“Why do you think I’m not open to the process?” Torin asked.
She didn’t hesitate to answer. “You don’t return my calls in a timely manner. You’ve turned down more matches than you’ve accepted without even talking to the females suggested. And you’re extremely rigid about the type of female you want to be introduced to.”
Torin blinked. Ouch. Her words mirrored Nova’s from that last disastrous date.
Veronica seemed to sense his thoughts. “Mr. Gallagher, I sincerely want to help you find your match. But I can’t do that if you aren’t willing to open yourself to the possibility.”
He cleared his throat. “And what would you suggest I do?”
“Finding love, real love, is always a risk. Just like opening your own restaurant is a risk. You have to be willing to fail in order to succeed. If you are willing to be open to the possibilities, open to the women you meet, you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for.”
