Chapter One
Emily Sevenson was the kind of matchmaker who knew how to find a diamond in the rough for her single clients. She had a talent for it. At only twenty-eight years old, she ran her own business, owned her own car, and managed to find love for her clients. But what she couldn’t do was fix the ancient window air conditioning unit in her crumbling office.
“You know, paperwork would be a lot less daunting if it wasn’t as hot as Hades in here,” Lydia said behind the counter with a droll British accent.
Emily’s part-time secretary, coffee-runner, and full-time best friend, was full of complaints today. She had a severe A-line cut of her straight black hair and skin that glistened with a dark summer’s tan. Her mocha colored eyes were quick to spot a fashion deal, as exhibited by her designer sandals, patent leather black skirt, and white silk blouse, all of which she scored on sale.
Sweat trickled down Emily’s back and under her bra, making her pluck at her wet blouse for an ounce of comfort. Her golden curls stuck to her forehead and the eyeshadow she’d put on that morning had melted above her blue eyes. She pounded on the window air conditioner with the handle of a screwdriver, cursing the maintenance man she’d had out just yesterday to look at the beast.
“I’m trying my best here, Lyd, but you know that technology and I don’t mix.” She stood back to glare at the machine and willed it to return to life, but it continued to cough out hot air.
“If only you had a big, strong man around to fix things like that,” Lydia said with a teasing smile, chewing on the end of a pen. “Someone who looks good shirtless and with a tool belt. You could break things on purpose just to get him to come around.”
“I don’t need to break things on purpose,” Emily said through gritted teeth. She glanced around at the small office. “Things are breaking left and right. And you know that’s not going to happen.”
“It’s not against the rules to dip your finger in the honey pot once in a while.” Lydia leaned forward on the counter. She fixed Emily with a wicked grin and licked her lips. “You are a matchmaker after all. Match yourself up with a hunk and live out the rest of your days in delirious happiness. It’s what your mother would’ve wanted.”
Emily sighed. She missed her mother something fierce. It had been over a year since breast cancer had claimed the only relative she had left, save for her deadbeat father who disappeared when she was ten and never came back. Now, she was left to carry on the family business that had started to crumble in the world of online dating and hookup apps.
“Not happening, Lydia.” She glared at her and pursed her lips. “Remind me what it is that I pay you for again?”
“To keep you from disappearing completely in your work,” she replied with a smirk. “Without me, you wouldn’t have a life.”
“Oh, yeah, that’s right.” Emily shook her head. “How could I forget?”
The door to the office sprang open behind her at that moment, bringing with it a rush of a hot summer’s breeze. Emily wiped the back of her hand across her sweaty forehead and turned to greet the newcomer. Instead, she froze as a man dressed in an expensive three-piece suit sauntered into her domain. He had a full head of dark brown hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and dark chocolate eyes that confidently scanned the room.
Her mind immediately painted him as a rich boy. Someone born into money and privilege who thought the world owed him a favor. She’d worked with a lot of men like that. They were always the worst to pair. Easy on the eyes, but hard on the heart. If he was here to hire her services, he’d have to learn quickly that money didn’t buy real love.
His intense gaze landed on her and in that moment, Emily was reminded of the fact that she probably resembled a melting wax figure. She lifted her curly blonde hair off her wet neck and fanned herself, praying to the heavens for the tiniest breeze. The air conditioner sputtered, causing a spark of hope to spring alive in Emily’s chest, only to return to its hateful habit of spewing out hot air.
“It’s hot out there, but it’s boiling in here,” he announced, a cocky grin spreading on his face. He leaned one hand on the door frame and tugged at the tie around his neck. “Seems like a bad time of year to open up a sauna.”
She tried not to roll her eyes at the newcomer’s joke. Judging by her current need of a cool shower, they were well aware of the fact. But she could tell the heat was beginning to affect her mood. She wasn’t usually this cantankerous — at least, not after a cup of coffee. With an inhale, she gave him a sweet smile.
“Welcome to Sevenson Selective. I don’t suppose you’re here for a date?”
“A date?” Confusion clouded his face and he dropped his arrogant pose.
“Yes...” Lydia leaned over the counter and arched an eyebrow at him. “We are a matchmaking company, after all.”
“Oh, yeah.” He walked over to her and quickly handed over the manila folder he’d stashed beneath his elbow. Emily couldn’t help but notice his shiny Italian leather shoes. Yet another factor pointing toward rich frat boy. “I was just dropping off my application.”
“Perfect.” Lydia snatched the folder from his hand and opened it. “Michael Knight. Thirty-three years old and works in investments?”
Michael buttoned his suit jacket and smirked. “That’s me.”
Lydia didn’t look up as she thumbed through the pages. “Hmmm...interesting. I see here you’ve got a younger sister. That could help. I’m not so certain about that dating history, though. Looks like your last serious relationship was five years ago?”
If she was going to keep their new client from running away, Emily had to do something quick. She leaned over the counter and swiped the folder from Lydia’s hands, holding it tight to her chest.