First things first, I need to figure out why she’s here and what I’m going to have to do to appease whatever she could possibly want with me.
“Not to be rude, Miss, but I don’t think I know who you are.” I manage to speak, to be blunt, but the words feel thick and foreign in my mouth. My voice comes out rougher than I intend, scraped raw from the inside. The tips of my ears warm when she lets out a laugh, strangely amused instead of flinching as many have in the past. “How can I help you?”
Her bar stool scrapes against the ground as she moves to stand. Leaning against the bar to put less space between us, her mouth curves into a full smile. It’s a miracle I’m not knocked back onto my ass by it.
“Actually, I’m here to helpyou.”
While a few things naturally pop up in my mind at her words, I know it’s got nothing to do with why she’s really here.
Soon enough, I’ll figure out her business soon enough. I’ll learn she’s a curse, a beautiful complication sent to turn my quiet and peaceful world upside down.
2
Daphne
When Cupid’s Bloom sent me to Willowbrook Ridge, I felt this deep worry. The company isn’t perfect, and not every match works out. Typically, most of our users give up after the first failed attempt. Fewer survive a second.
But this man staring down at me with a look that makes my skin warm beneath my sweater? He’s gotten turned downthreetimes.
It’s my job to figure outwhy. It can’t be because of his appearance. While I’ve read many cases of women getting one look at their match and running for the hills, I don’t think that’s relevant to this case.
If it did, then those women are blind.
So, if his appearance isn’t sending them away, it’s the man himself. It’s my job to figure out who is at fault here. Is he scaring them all away, or is there a glitch in the system?
“My name is Daphne.” Introducing myself, I catch myself leaning closer to the bar, like another inch or two closer to him will make much of a difference. “I’m actually here because Cupid’s Bloom—”
“Wait.” He blurts out the word and cuts off my introduction, then his eyes drift to the two women who are trying to hide their curiosity but fail. His bushy red brows keep furrowing, as if he doesn’t understand.
As far as I remember, the company contacted him a few times. He should’ve expected me, right?
“Not here.” He shakes his head before moving to circle the bar. Motioning me to follow, he leads me all the way to the booth closest to the door. He takes the small metal chair and swallows it up, leaving the roomy booth seat for me.
I’d take it as him being polite, but I’m willing to bet that he just wants to have an easier escape route in case he wants nothing to do with what I have to offer him.
While Gavin rubs his hand down his face and strokes his beard, he looks over me in pure confusion. “I didn’t sign up for another bride. There must’ve been a mistake somewhere. I’m not…” He pauses, hesitating before clearing his throat. “I’m not interested in getting married anymore.”
Realizing where the mix-up is, another light laugh leaves me. “I’m not a bride.” Getting that out of the way, I notice he doesn’t seem to relax. “Iworkfor Cupid’s Bloom.”
Instead of relaxing, his muscles recoil as if I’ve offended him.
Okay, three times of bad results might make him dislike the company a little bit.
Before he can pull back, I’m reaching out to grab one of his hands. Built like a bear’s paw, I can’t help but notice his hair-covered arms and hands.
Oh boy. They don’t make men like this where I come from. I’m always surrounded by men in suits and ties with smartphones glued to their hands.
The only thing I can picture Gavin holding is an axe.Or me, thrown over that broad shoulder…
He stares at my hands, probably noticing the size difference.
“I’m a matchmaker.” Staying on topic before I let my thoughts fall over the deep end, I squeeze his thick fingers. “They sent me here to figure out what has gone wrong.”
His frown is back. “Your system is full of it.”
I can’t blame him for being upset. A handful of years ago, I had my own shaky experience with the company before devoting myself to helping others find love.
“Sometimes, there are dips in the system. Technology, you know?” Keeping my voice gentle and my smile soft, I stroke his knuckles with my thumb without realizing it. “Sometimes, we have to go into manual mode, in a sense. So, if you are willing to give us one more chance, I will guarantee I will try my best to find your perfect match.”
