I clench my bottom lip between my teeth, desperate to not spill out everything. Something about this woman makes me want to confess. “I just-”
“What is it, darling? You can tell me anything. There’s nothing I haven’t heard before.”
My shoulders sink, and I lower my eyes, unable to look at the sweet woman who has found me a perfect man. I’m ready to throw that all away over some spark with a random stranger. “I sort of… well… I met someone. Briefly,” I add.
Rita’s brows raise in shock. “That’s wonderful!”
I give her a confused look because she looks genuinely happy for me. Why would she be happy that I’m interested in someone other than the man she’s matched me with?
“Tell me all about him,” Rita says with a sly look on her face.
So weird.
“It’s kind of awkward?—”
She throws her head back and laughs a full belly laugh. “Oh, dear, nothing you say can be awkward with me. Trust me on that one. I’ve heard it all and then some.”
“You see… I sort of bumped into,” I wince a little at my next words, “your nephew, Harrison.”
That sly look is back on her face, and her eyes are alight with mischief. “Handsome man, isn’t he?”
My cheeks heat with a blush. “He is.”
“I didn’t know you two had become acquainted other than my introducing you…”
I bury my head in my hands. “That’s the awkward part. I can’t get him out of my head even after just bumping into him.” Tears well up in my eyes out of nowhere. “I can’t possibly let you match me while I’m thinking about another man. It’s horrible. I’m horrible.”
Rita moves out from around her desk and sits beside me, her hand falling comfortingly on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Olive. Really. You’re allowed to find someone attractive.”
“Someone I don’t even know? Someone who is probably not even interested in me?”
She snorts. “What red-blooded man wouldn’t be interested in a gorgeous woman like you? If my nephew doesn’t see it, he’s a fool.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s not like he’s going to magically get my information and pop up to ask me out. And lord only knows I’m too shy to approach him… even if I knew how.”
Rita’s lips tilt up in an almost devilish smile, her eyes alight with the same mischief from earlier. “Well… I might just be able to help with that one.”
There’s a loud knock on her door, and I jump, startled. Rita crosses the room and opens her door. Harrison marches straight into the room, stopping short when he sees me. His eyes flash, and for a moment, I think it’s with annoyance, but then they darken with what can only be described as desire.
Ho-boy. Is it possible he’s as attracted to me as I am to him? Am I why he’s here? Surely not. That’s just preposterous.
“Come on in,” Rita says sarcastically. “It’s not like I’m busy with a client.”
Harrison looks abash. “Sorry,” he apologizes. I get the feeling he doesn’t apologize often. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” His eyes don’t leave me as he speaks. He’s entirely focused on me. It’s only then I realize I probably look like a mess.
I swipe my fingers under my eyes, trying to make sure no errant tears are lingering. Though, I’m sure my eyes are glassy and bloodshot. I’m not a pretty crier. I stand from my seat and look between Rita and Harrison.
Yes, I’m about to make my escape. Quickly. I realize now that it’s one thing to daydream about a man like Harrison; it’s another to be in front of him. There is no way I will ever have the courage to ask him out. He’s out of my league. He’s expensive suits and high-powered jobs. Probably corporate takeovers and board meetings. I’m yoga pants and unwashed hair while toilingaway in front of my computer writing fictional stories about men like him falling for girls like me.
Impossible.
“It was so good to see you again, Rita. Thank you for the… opportunity.” I circle past Harrison and head straight toward the door Rita is still holding open. She stops me in my tracks with one outstretched hand.
“Are you forgetting something, dear?”
I look down at the letter I’m clutching. I don’t even think; I just hand the letter to her and scoot past her. I take a deep breath as soon as I’m safe in the elevator, silently cursing myself for making a fool of myself.
CHAPTER
