A second later, Mrs. Teager was back on the street and Rachel was overcome by that familiar feeling of satisfaction she always felt whenever she helped someone. She had helped just by listening and asking questions. That was what she had always liked about her job.
Marriages could be unhappy and complicated. They could be one-sided and two-sided. She had helped people find each other again or go through a straightforward breakup. Match Me!, on the other hand, helped people meet the right person. It was the stage before all that. Ultimately, all of these had one thing in common: To make the right choice, the right decision, you had to be honest with yourself, which was sometimes incredibly difficult and painful.
Rachel gritted her teeth, opened her Match Me! profile and then her questionnaire.
Honesty. It was time to be honest. Yes, she hated quiet evenings. The last six months had consisted of many, and she hadn’t enjoyed a single one. Every evening she’d spent arguing with Connor had been better than any evening she'd spent alone in front of the TV. And maybe she did want a man who wasn’t quite so quiet, someone with whom she could have fun. Someone she didn’t have to worry about judging her. Someone who was game if she wanted to...to have sex with him in a dark alley!
She straightened her back, deleted her previous answers on the questionnaire, and started over. She didn’t think about what kind of person most people had assumed she was her entirelife. She ignored her mother’s voice in her head. She letPerfectRachel die a slow, euphoric death and made room for the Rachel she was. This wasn't the one she wanted to be, or the one others expected.Were you happier when you had order and structure? Did you have fun when you were perfect?
Connor’s questions lingered in her mind, and the answer was simple: No! Not one bit. When her life had been orderly and quiet, it had meant less stress — but at the same time, she had felt stuck. And she’d had enough of it! Maybe she didn’t want to go back to the old Rachel. Maybe it was time for a new Rachel.
It took her two hours to reflect on every question and put the naked, sometimes hard-to-admit truth down on virtual paper. Yes, maybe physical attraction was more important than she’d wanted to admit. Maybe she didn’t like it when the man alone decided about their date because shealwayspreferred to have a say. Maybe she didn’t want a man who agreed with her, but one who tried to show her new perspectives. And maybe she wanted a guy who was confident enough not to ask her for input with every decision. She’d had a lot of guys who were looking for help and while they were nice, they’d also been annoying! Maybe she wasn’t as patient as everyone said she was. Maybe she’d just gotten good at pretending.
With each typed answer, she felt a little lighter and freer, as if she’d made peace with her real self, so that when she finally finished shortly after nine, she slumped, exhausted but happy, back in her desk chair. Darkness had set in, and only the desk lamp provided light when she turned off the computer.
She would give the third former candidate she’d already contacted a chance before running her new profile through the system again. Then she’d still have two dates with new candidates and would know if Connor’s theory was correct. Even if everything in her rebelled against the idea that he was rightand she was wrong, it didn’t matter. If it led her to her dream man, she’d accept that.
Grimacing, she stretched before making sure Eggsy was contentedly asleep on the shelf next to a pile of files. Now all she had to do was bring Scotland-Beard in, then she could go home and...
She flinched and squeaked as her gaze slid toward the door. A dark, tall figure loomed in the doorway, staring at her.
What the hell?! The doorbell hadn’t rung!
“God, Connor, you scared me.” She placed a hand on her chest when she finally recognized him. “Why are you just standing there like a serial killer?!”
Connor didn’t answer. He had his arms crossed and was staring at her. Shadows flickered across his face, which was probably why he looked so grim. It could also have been due to his tense shoulders, pursed lips, and the dark glint in his eyes.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, scratching the back of her neck nervously. Crackling energy radiated from his skin like a faulty electrical outlet. She didn’t want to be alone with him. She didn’t trust her body in his presence. The last time they’d been alone... She swallowed and lifted her chin. “I was just about to wrap things up when...”
“Did you advise my client to postpone her divorce?” Connor interrupted. His voice was calm yet so cold that Rachel shuddered.
“What?”
“Did you tell my client that instead of separating, she should have another open and honest conversation with her husband...the husband who’s been emotionally blackmailing her for weeks about taking her children away?”
She blinked and felt her stomach clench. “Taking her children away? He wants... Wait. Who exactly are you talking about?”
“Mrs. Teager,” he whispered, his tone dangerously calm, as he took a step into the room. His shoes made a bright, ominous clack on the wooden floor. “She was here, wasn’t she? You talked to her.”
Oh. “Yes, she came in earlier, but...”
“She wants me to postpone the court date that would finally end everything. Because she needstime to think. Because she’s considering getting back together with her husband. Becauseyouadvised her to!” His voice was more of a growl than a whisper now, and Rachel’s stomach fluttered nervously. She’d thought she’d seen Connor angry before, but as it turned out, he had evidently only been mildly annoyed the other times. Because now? Now he looked like he could set the office on fire with just a spark from his eyes.
“Okay, now wait a minute,” she said, raising her hands. “Yes, Mrs. Teager was here. We talked. But I didn’tadviseher to go back to her husband. I just told her that everyone deserves as much time to think things through as they need.”
“She’s been thinking about it for two years, Rachel!” he snapped, slamming his fist on Hailey’s desk.
She flinched. “I didn’t know that.”
“Of course not! Because you don’tknowher. You gave her hope in a hopeless situation. You told her that her husband deserved another chance!”
“I didn’t,” she said abruptly. “Ididn’tsay anything about her husband!”
“Butsomethingyou said obviously made her want to reconsider and give that jerk of a husband more of her precious time!” he thundered.
“Connor,” she snapped, stiffening because he was starting to make her angry. “Calm down. Are you fucking listening to me? All I did was tell her she can take her time and not rush into anything. I didn’t push her in any direction, I didn’t force myopinion on her, and I didn’t make any decisions for her. That’s neither my job nor yours!’
“But youinterfered!In something that’s none of your damn business!” He slashed his hand angrily through the air. “You shared your belief in fairy tales and eternal love with her, and you made her insecure!’
