Meeting His Match (Single In the City 1)

Was this even legal? Could she make Marti do something in her personal life she didn’t want to?

Marti didn’t think so. But was she willing to find out?

If the murderous gleam in Blue’s eye was any indication, she was hesitant to test her theory.

“I don’t even know his last name, but even if I could track him down, how am I even supposed to get him to go out with me? He made it pretty clear I wasn’t his type. I can’t just make him date me.”

Blue’s lips curled. “That, my dear, is for you to figure out. Do what you must.”

Marti sank down into the closest chair and rested her forehead against the table. When Blue had suggested she consider a relationship, she never thought she was this serious.

“What if it doesn’t work?” Marti asked, lifting her head.

“People need a reason to root for you. Falling in love, dating, that will get them reinvested and give them something to care about. Good or bad, people will want to read about this.”

“Does it have to be him?”

Blue paused and pursed her lips. “If it’s not him, just make it interesting.

Relief washed over her, and she exhaled. “Oh, thank you.”

Somehow, the prospect of having a boyfriend seemed a little less terrifying knowing it didn’t have to be Logan.

“But I want you to report back to me by this time next week with your prospect and an article. Understood?”

Marti bit her lip and nodded, feeling like she might puke. She could do this. She’d be totally fine.

The Queen of Single just needed to find a boyfriend. Piece of cake.

Right?

Right.

MARTI RUSHED PAST THE cubicles as fast as her feet could carry her. When her side of the office came into view, she blazed by Caroline and Mel’s desk. “Meeting now!”

They hopped to, jumping from their seats and trailing behind her.

Once they were safely inside the confines of the freebie closet, Marti slumped in relief. She drew in a deep breath and her lungs rejoiced.

The freebie closet was where we stored all the sample clothes, beauty products, and other items the magazine garnered via endorsements and advertisements. At least until someone snatched them up or they were used for photo shoots. But it was also Marti’s go-to place to hang with Caroline and Mel. From life problems to juicy gossip, we shared everything in the freebie closet. Nothing was off-limits.

Marti fanned her face as she moved across the room, dodging stray boxes and racks of clothing, in her haste to reach the water cooler. With a squeak of desperation, she filled a paper cone to the brim, then tipped her head back and chugged the icy contents before speaking.

A drop of water dribbled down her chin. Her throat burned. She turned to them, out of breath and feeling slightly deranged. “Blue is making me get a boyfriend.”

Caroline spluttered while Mel laughed.

Marti stood—frozen—rooted to the spot on the gleaming hardwood floor in between a rack of evening gowns and a shelf of designer handbags.

Mel sobered. “Oh, you’re not joking. You’re totally not joking.”

Marti shook her head, willing herself to chill. It wasn’t the end of the world, she told herself. After all, if a strong, independent woman like Blue could tether herself to a man, surely Marti could forge a believable fake relationship.

“Wow,” Mel said, taking a step closer and sinking down onto the plush bench in the center of the room. “Why?” she asked.

“Oh, you know, apparently my ratings have plummeted, and if I don’t get them back up a.s.a.p., my job is in jeopardy. She happens to thinks the only way to do that is to shake things up and get a man.”

“She said that?” Caroline asked.