Talon (Ashes & Embers 4)

Fifty-thousand dollars. That kind of money is the equivalent of living on Mars to me. It will seriously never happen. But if it did? Holy crap, I cannot even fathom how different my life could be, to have some financial stability. To live somewhere safe. To not worry about how I'm going to feed myself and my cat.

But even more so, what if they really could find me the perfect husband? Someone who would love me and care about me, and let me love and care about them. Someone to grow old with. Is it possible, with the help of some kind of love coach, that I could meet—and actually marry—a guy who's perfect for me?

And, hopefully, who I'm perfect for?

Is that even possible?

Kat stands there with a smile as I mull this all around in my head. "I see you thinking about it, Asia. And yeah, it’s a pretty wild idea, huh?"

"Okay, a little…but scary too. Marrying a stranger? Do you have any idea how awkward that would be?"

She grabs on to my arm excitedly. "But what if it's like this amazing love-at-first-sight moment? What could possibly be cooler?"

Shaking my head wildly, I fold up the dress so I can get back to it later when she's gone. "No. It's unnatural and dangerous."

"Arranged marriages used to be very popular."

"Used to be being the important part of that sentence."

Crossing her arms, she taps her foot against my chipped tile floor. "Asia, I want you to think about this. I talked to Dr. Hollister about you and she thinks you would be perfect, but she would love to meet you for a preliminary interview. She said you're the exact kind of woman she wanted for this."

Geez. What the heck does that mean? "Um? What kind of woman am I?"

"One who is supersweet, intelligent, pretty, normal, but just cannot meet the right guy. The only issue is your financial status. They need to be sure the applicants aren't in it just for the money."

I glare at her, annoyed with her incessant digs at my unfortunate lifestyle. Not everyone is lucky enough to be born into a great family that doesn't abandon you at seventeen with no money or place to live. The fact that I'm not dead, working a pole, or turning tricks is something I'm actually proud of.

"Well, I apologize for having to live on ramen noodles, Kat, but it is what it is. I can't hide it. And if they are so worried about people getting involved in the experiment just for the fifty G's, why are they even offering it?

She shrugs and lays the piece of paper with her notes on my wobbly kitchen table. "Compensation, I guess."

"Marrying a great person should be compensation enough."

"Well, there ya go. You're perfect for this, just as I knew you would be."

I throw an infinity scarf at her that I made from the fabric she was just saying she loved. "I made this for you earlier. Please don't make me choke you with it," I tease.

She squeals over it and hugs me. "You're the bestest friend ever! I love you!"

* * *

Later that night as I'm soaking in my bathtub reading a paperback I've read about ten times already, my mind keeps wandering back to Kat's insane idea about my getting involved in that marriage experiment. As scary as it sounded, if it really worked, and they actually found me the right man, it would be amazing. No more bad dates. No more wondering if I'm ever going to meet the right guy. No more spending every night alone. No more watching other people get engaged, get married, and have kids while I'm still alone. No more having no one to snuggle with.

But if it didn't work, it could be devastating. What if I fall in love with him, but he doesn't fall in love with me? Being rejected by a guy who is supposed to be my perfect match will hurt way worse than some blind-date rejection. Where can I go from an expert failure? I think at that point I would have to throw in the towel and admit I am just not relationship material for anyone. I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of reality dose.

An old favorite song of mine comes on from the small radio in the corner of the bathroom. It's a slow, sexy rock ballad, and the guitarist plays with so much raw emotion that every time I hear it, it gives me chills and I have to close my eyes and let it take over my senses. I want a man who can make me feel like this song does, someone who makes me lose myself in the way he can make me feel. Closing my eyes and sinking deeper into my bath, I wonder if I can put that on my application for the marriage experiment.

Give me a man who makes me feel like the guitar solo of "Hope Dies Last."

Chapter 5

Asia

"Asia, it's Dr. Hollister. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

Cradling the phone against my ear with my shoulder, I run my hands under my kitchen faucet real quickly to rinse off the oils I was just using to make custom soaps.

"Yes, of course." I grab a towel and dry my hands. "How's everything going?"

"Very well! I have good news for you," she says, and my heart immediately starts to beat faster with anticipation. "We have found a match for you, if you are still interested and available to take part in the marriage experiment?"

"Oh wow. Yes!" I say a little too excitedly. "I definitely still want to. I was afraid since some time has passed, maybe it wasn't going to happen."

"Not at all, we were just combining our best efforts to team up the couples we felt would be best together."

"I'm so excited I feel dizzy. So, what happens now?" Slightly rattled, I fall onto my old, lumpy couch and my cat immediately jumps up next to me, proceeding to rub her forehead up and down my arm.

"I just spoke to your match and he is also on board. We would like to set the wedding date three months from now. That will give everyone enough time to plan and get things together. Kimberly will be in touch with both of you to go over all the details; she will be the liaison between you and your groom. You will not be able to speak with him directly in any manner, so her job is to shuffle information back and forth between you both—such as the guest list, menu choices, the cake, everything."

"I can't believe this is really happening."

"It's really happening," she singsongs. "The team and I are so excited for you and the other participants. You have all been so patient and so incredibly honest. You have each been invaluable."

"Well, thank you. The fact that you may have found the man of my dreams is just mind-blowing."

"No thanks needed. As we discussed, all the expenses will be paid for or have been donated by the various sponsors that have been so gracious to work with us. Just a reminder, we have asked for all receptions to be small with only forty guests. After the wedding, of course, all living expenses are your own. Kimberly will provide you with a guideline sheet of what we expect from each couple, such as moving in together, the mandatory video chats, and your written journals. I do have some legal paperwork I need you to sign. You can either stop by my office or I can send it via courier for you to sign and send back."

"Legal paperwork?"

"Yes, it's essentially stipulating that we are not responsible for any expenses after the wedding, legal fees if you decide to divorce, medical bills if you get pregnant, and we cannot guarantee your marriage will last forever, that sort of thing. You are more than welcome to run it by your own lawyer. We want you to feel one hundred percent confident and safe."

"I'm sure that won't be necessary." As if I can afford a lawyer.

"Also, all participants have been run through vigorous background checks, and to the best of our knowledge and findings, there are no red flags. If any participant ever feels threatened or unsafe, they are to call one of us immediately."

"Okay."

"And lastly, we do ask that the participants do not date others over the next three months while we are preparing for your wedding. The last thing we want is for one of the applicants to end up in a relationship prior to their wedding, leaving their match without a partner."

&

nbsp; "Oh my, that would be terrible!"

"Indeed. I know this is a lot to swallow, and I'm sorry I'm talking very fast. I'm calling all the applicants today, so it's been a bit of a crazy day. Everything will be detailed in the paperwork, and Kim will have discussions with you and your partner as we move forward. You can get in touch with her or me anytime if questions arise. She should be reaching out to you by the end of the week."

I swallow hard over the excitement building in me. "That sounds great. Thank you so much, Dr. Hollister. I'm really excited about this."

"We are too. Have a great day, Asia. We'll talk soon."

I disconnect the call in a daze and pick up Pixie, planting a kiss on her furry little head.

"I'm getting married! You're gonna have a daddy!"

In three months.

To a stranger.

Chapter 6

Asia

Three Months Later

"You look beautiful. Like a princess!" Kat holds me at arm's length with tears in her eyes.

"I'm not sure," I say nervously. "All these buttons? Is it too Victorian? Maybe I should have bought the other, simpler dress. Or just made my own." I stare at myself in the full-length mirror in the private room the hotel assigned me to get ready in. The wedding ceremony and reception are both taking place in this hotel, as apparently both my future husband and I opted not to have a church ceremony. Yay for something in common so far.