Bennett presses a hand against his chest. “You’re acting likeI’mthe bad guy here. You do realize how manipulative what you did was, right?”
I cross my arms, probably looking pouty and petty, but I don’t care. “You’re right. I never should’ve tried to match with you,” I say, exasperated. “Now you know how I know who you are. How do you know who I am?”
“We should talk about this after,” Bennett says, remaining calm. “I’ll explain everything.”
“No. We’re going to talk about this right now. My taking over Lunar Love hasn’t been announced yet publicly. In fact, today is the announcement. You would’ve found out once you heard the podcast. Did Marcus give you a list of panelists with our titles?”
“He didn’t,” Bennett says matter-of-factly.
“Then tell me how you know who I am,” I command, growing in confidence.
Bennett pushes his hands into his dark jean pockets and looks over at the crimson velvet curtain. “I can’t really say,” he mumbles.
I close the distance between us. His musky scent sweeps over me and chips away at my assurance. How dare he unnerve me like that!
“What, did you take a blood oath? Bennett,” I say sternly, “tell me.”
His eyes scrunch as he processes something. “I know about you,” he starts slowly, “because of your Pó Po.”
“Pó Po as in…June Huang?” I ask with a laugh. “No, seriously. That’s not funny.”
Bennett nods. “Seriously.”
I stumble back. “What the—”
“Olivia Huang Christenson, everybody!” Marcus announces from the stage.
Bennett gently grabs my shoulders and turns me around. I somehow manage to put one foot in front of the other and walk across the stage. I even get a wave in. Randall points to his cheeks and mouths the word “smile!” I force one across my face and then see him shaking his head and mouthing “too much!”
Under an ornate arch spanning the width of the stage, five armchairs are arranged in a half-moon formation like we’re about to be in conversation with Oprah. Even she wouldn’t be able to soothe me right now. Small tables with microphones are placed artfully in front of each seat. The third panelist, a woman who I recognize as the relationships editor fromEl Lay Daily, is already settled into the farthest chair to the left of Marcus. The fourth panelist, the consumer market research person, is seated directly next to him. She looks up at me and gives me a polite smile. I sit in the chair opposite her, meaning Bennett will be between me and Marcus. Just the two of us sitting stage right pretending to act like everything’s normal. How hard can that be?
“You look like a celebrity caught in paparazzi headlights! Relax. This won’t be too painful!” Marcus whispers to me with a chuckle before announcing Bennett.
I watch Alisha’s and Randall’s jaws drop as Bennett crosses the stage and sits down next to me. He gives the crowd a small wave before his eyes flit over to mine. I want to glare at him, but if I look at him for too long, I fear I’ll forgive him before he’s even had a chance to say sorry.
We spend the next ten minutes giving brief introductions, explaining the work we do, and fielding easy questions. I try to remember my talking points, but my thoughts feel like mush as I try to overanalyze every interaction I’ve had with Bennett. It isn’t until Marcus directs a question to both me and Bennett that my brain perks up.
“Olivia, Bennett, both of your companies match people using the Chinese zodiac, but from what you’ve both said, it sounds like one focuses on compatibility, and the other, not so much.”
I speak before Bennett has a chance to. “That’s right, Marcus. One of us—Lunar Love—actually matchmakes based on complementary traits of the Chinese zodiac. Which is the way it’s supposed to work. My grandmother started Lunar Love over fifty years ago. We’re the original here in LA,” I explain proudly.
Marcus leans forward into the microphone. “Bennett, did you know Lunar Love existed before you started ZodiaCupid?”
I turn my body to face Bennett. “Great question, Marcus,” I say.
Bennett coolly smiles. “I always do my due diligence. But I actually knew about Lunar Love in a more personal way,” he says. “June Huang, the founder, your grandmother,” Bennett continues, looking me in the eyes, “matched my parents.”
My smirk drops from my face. “That can’t be right,” I say. He told me his parents were incompatible. This guy can’t even keep his story straight.
“It’s true. I followed the path of my parents’ history, and it led me to you. To June,” he quickly corrects.
“I think you’re getting your paths mixed up,” I mutter. But even as I say those words, I falter in my conviction. Pó Po couldn’t have done that. She’s careful and meticulous. Mistakes like that are only made by me. I shift my attention back to Bennett.
He nods. “June was an excellent matchmaker, and she built an incredible business. You’re very lucky, Olivia. I’m sure you’re just as good as she is.”
Jerk! What’s this guy’s deal?
“Well, if that’s not adorable!” Marcus says. The audience claps along with him.
