“Clothes, social skills, dating, the list is varied and unique.”
“Do you do this for both the clients and the candidates?”
“I do whatever is necessary to find my clients a spouse perfect for them. My cold didn’t hit until Monday night, so I was still able to do a practice date.”
Imagining her on any kind of date, including a practice one, bugged him. “Did it go well?”
She nodded, her smile widening. “He did much better than the last time.”
“Good for him.” But how could a guy not know how to date?
An image of Dash flashed in his head.
Never mind.
She coughed into the crook of her elbow. “Sorry. I need another dose of cough medicine.”
Hadley was also congested and glassy-eyed. She needed to be in bed, resting, not dragged to a private supper club. They could stay home. Order takeout for dinner. That might be a smarter plan. “Maybe we should cancel.”
“I thought you said we’d make it an early night?”
He had, except… “You’re tired and don’t feel well.”
She shrugged. “I thought I was doing better, but I think traveling wore me out. You want to go, right?”
Blaise did, but now he was torn. Both over the dinner and her staying at a hotel when she didn’t feel well.
She spent this week in one.
True, but she likely had no other option in New York. Here…
“We’ll leave before dessert,” she suggested. “Okay?”
He thought he’d feel more relief at her wanting to go. Maybe he was tired, too. Still, the dinner was important for two reasons. She could find out more info about Wes and Dash. Introducing her to Kieran and Mason tonight also would keep her from having to return to Portland before she was ready.
Not that seeing her was a hardship for Blaise.
“That works,” he said finally. “I’ll be in the family room. Watching football. While you get, uh, ready.”
Blaise fought the urge to cringe. He sounded stupid. She didn’t care what he was doing or why.
“Is Lex going with us?” she asked.
“He’s off this weekend. Rizzo’s on. He’ll drive us to the restaurant.” Blaise glanced from her to the door of the bathroom. “Let me know if you need anything.”
Not that he had a clue where to find something. A new tube of toothpaste and other toiletries appeared when his ran low. He assumed Robyn took the same care with the guest rooms in case he had visitors. Which he never did, but why not be prepared?
Hadley’s shoulders slumped, making him think she needed sleep more than a shower.
“Are you sure you’re up for tonight?” he asked.
She nodded. “It won’t take me long to get ready.”
Thirty minutes later, they were on their way.
Rizzo glanced in the rearview mirror of the SUV, his dark chocolate gaze on Hadley. “Do you feel okay?”
“I have a cold.” She slouched in the back seat. “I’m waiting for the medicine to kick in.”
