Trevor nodded. “She told me she makes no exceptions. The only way to hire her is to fill out the paperwork and make an appointment with her in San Francisco or New York.”
Blaise scratched his chin, his fingers brushing over short whiskers. Henry Davenport wouldn’t have recommended Hadley Lowell unless he believed she was the right person for the job. The guy might not want to settle down himself, but he was a romantic at heart. At least where friends were involved. He would want Wes and Dash to marry their perfect matches and be happy. As did Blaise. That meant hiring the best person.
He glanced at the time on his computer monitor. “Get Ms. Lowell on the phone.”
Trevor stiffened. “Now?”
Blaise nodded once. “I don’t have much time until my next meeting.”
But it shouldn’t take him long to convince her to change her mind. He would find her price and pay it.
Trevor hurried out of the office.
A minute later, the office phone on Blaise’s desk buzzed. He picked it up. “Hello.”
“Good morning, Mr. Mortenson. It’s Hadley Lowell.” Her voice was strong and full of confidence. “Trevor said you wanted to talk.”
Blaise hadn’t expected her to sound so young. The only things he knew about matchmakers were from movies. They were usually older women and a little quirky. Though voices could be ageless.
“I do,” he replied.“Thanks for taking my call.”
“What do you wish to discuss, Mr. Mortenson?”
He appreciated how she didn’t mince words, but he wanted to take control. That meant slowing down the conversation even if time was money. “Please, call me Blaise.”
A beat passed. And another.
“What can I do for you, Blaise?” she asked.
It wasn’t lost on him that she hadn’t told him to call her Hadley. His position and wealth impressed people. She, however, didn’t appear to be. His respect for her inched up.
He would get right to the point as she had. “I want to hire you.”
“Thank you.” Her tone was sincere. “But I spoke with Trevor about my requirements. He said you couldn’t meet with me.”
“It’s true.” Unfortunately.
He knew nothing about the woman on the other end of the phone beyond what Henry and Trevor had said, yet she intrigued Blaise. He wanted to know what made her expect so much of her clients. Stubbornness, self-worth, something else? Saying no to an assistant was easy, but would she also tell him no? He wanted to find out.
“My schedule is full, so I don’t have time to travel right now.”
“Finding true love is never a rush job or something that happens ‘right now.’ When I say process, I mean just that.”
“I understand.” Even if he didn’t like it.
“I alternate weeks between my offices in San Francisco and New York. I meet with potential clients at both locations, if your future schedule allows for that.”
Funny—or maybe not—Hadley sounded as if she knew he wouldn’t be able to travel to her yet didn’t care. Giving him an unworkable option was something he’d pulled on people in the past.
“It doesn’t,” he admitted. “If you would please make an exception—”
“I don’t make exceptions.” The words came out staccato. “My assistant sent Trevor a list of other matchmakers. Hire one of them.”
Her directness caught him off guard. Something that didn’t happen often. “I want you.”
“Why is that?” Curiosity edged each word.
“You’re the best.”
