“Thank you.” See? Blaise could be polite. “What time does the matchmaker arrive?”
Trevor shifted his weight between his feet. He rubbed his lips together.
“Is there a problem?” Blaise asked.
“She’s not coming.” The words rushed out one on top of the other.
That was unexpected. Most people did as he asked. She did run a business—maybe she couldn’t clear her schedule today. “What time does she arrive tomorrow?”
Trevor opened his mouth before closing it. He flexed his hands. “She doesn't travel to meet with clients.”
Except Blaise wasn’t a typical client. “Did you mention who I am?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And that money was no object?”
“Yes, sir. That didn’t matter to her.”
Not true. Everyone had a price.Blaise would have to discover hers. Henry had said she was in San Francisco.
Less than a two-hour flight.
Winning the bet was a priority, but the board was on his back. He had meetings and conference calls scheduled. A new fund was set to debut. Even if he had a trip planned to the Bay Area…“Not doable.”
Trevor raised his chin. “That’s what I told Ms. Lowell.”
The pride in his voice brought a smile to Blaise’s face. The guy might have potential. “What did she say?”
“She, um, suggested you find another matchmaker.”
Blaise’s jaw dropped. “Was she joking?”
“Afraid not.”
No one except his closest friends would dare say something like that to him. He didn’t mind big egos. He respected those who put a value on their knowledge and skills, but this woman’s response implied rigidity and told him she wasn’t the right matchmaker for the job. He would happily hire someone else and give them a bonus on top of their usual fee. “Let’s take her suggestion. Put together a list of other matchmakers.”
“Ms. Lowell’s assistant emailed me one.”
Seriously? Blaise nearly laughed. He doubted the woman would stay in business long with those kinds of tactics and such poor customer service. Not his problem. He’d wasted too much time on this already.
“Research each name.” He adjusted his tie. “I want to hire the person with the highest success rate.”
Trevor stared at the carpet. Lines appeared around his mouth.
“Something wrong?” Blaise asked.
“It’s just…” Trevor wrung his hands. “I looked up the people on her list.”
“And?”
“They’re excellent, highly rated, but…” Trevor swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Ms. Lowell’ssuccess rate is unmatched in the industry. She mentioned that to me when she explained her process—”
“I don’t care how she works. I’m only interested in results.”
“Her process is how she gets results. First comes a questionnaire. Then she conducts face-to-face meetings with potential clients. After that, there are tests and surveys. She seems quite thorough.” Trevor sounded impressed.
Blaise wasn’t. But if she was the best, he would put up with her pride, and no doubt, arrogance given her ease at turning away prospective clients. “Are you sure she understood how much I’m willing to pay for her services?”
