Hadley rubbed her palms over her pants, took a breath, and then exhaled slowly.
“Hello, again.” Blaise strode into her office with purposeful steps, his laptop bag in his left hand, and a dazzling smile on his face. He’d changed clothes. His yellow shirt and gray pants weren’t as fancy as his suit yesterday, but the style looked good on him. He’d tamed the hair that had been a mess when he’d woken up, and he wore black glasses.
Flutters filled her stomach.
She swallowed.
Standing on the opposite side of her desk, he held out his right arm.
Hadley stood and shook his hand.
Tingles erupted at the point of contact. The feeling was unexpected. Not unenjoyable.
His skin was warm. His hand large.
And this was lasting far too long.
Crushing was one thing. Touching him? Avoid at all costs.
She pulled away, not understanding why his touch affected her, and motioned to the empty chair. “Please have a seat.”
He did.
She was thankful the desk was between them. That was enough distance where she couldn’t smell him—his aftershave or soap—like she could yesterday in the car.
Ella brought in coffee for him and left without saying a word.
Blaise raised the cup. “So here we are. At the time you said. So how do we start?”
“I like to begin by telling a little about myself.”
“Go right ahead.”
She rested her elbows on the desk and leaned forward. “I opened Matched by Lowell seven years ago after working for a few other matchmakers. My focus then, as it is now, is to find people their perfect match. Not only to date, though that’s where everyone starts, but to connect two people whose journey together will lead them to a fulfilling life-long marriage. My services are rather old school with personal interviews and surveys. Which is why I limit who I accept as a client. I want to give each person the focus they deserve and have time to interview each person who might be a match. Any questions so far?”
He held his coffee cup. “No.”
“The time we’d work together varies. There is no limit as to how long it takes to find a match. Some clients are with me for months. Others a year or two. One client took three years, but that is the exception not the norm. I can’t guarantee a happily ever after, but I will do everything in my power to introduce you to people who can help you find one.”
Blaise’s smile was neon-lights-on-Broadway bright. “I read through the information you sent Trevor, but hearing you say this reaffirms we’re on the same page. Your fees for such an individualized service are fair.”
“Excellent.” She opened her notebook and readied her pen. “Let’s talk timeframe. Do you have one or are you flexible?”
“Is by the end of the month too soon?”
He grinned, but she couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. She hoped not.
“Joking,” he said. “But I would like things to happen as quickly as possible.”
Her insides twisted, but she wasn’t sure why given the reason he wanted to hire her. “Love at first sight has happened with clients, but that’s a rarity. The norm is much slower.”
“That’s fine. I can be patient while you work your magic.”
“Love isn’t something you conjure up. If it was, I’d be out of business,” she admitted. “Though I will admit when I look at two people to gauge their compatibility, there’s a gut instinct involved.”
“Magic.”
“Are you playing devil’s advocate?”
