I opened my mouth to tell him, but I wasn’t the only one who’d recognized him. A group of women walking past rushed us. My book fell again and I was left to pick it up in the chaos, trying not to get stepped on. The women didn’t even care that they had interrupted my serendipitous moment. They pawed at him while preening themselves, pushing him farther away from me. I walked away with my book but looked back to see if there was any chance he noticed I had gone. I couldn’t even see him in the sea of women.
It was the first time I ever questioned if being with someone that popular and attractive was a good thing, because on some level, you would always feel like you were competing for his attention. I should have listened to that voice. Sadly, that’s exactly what I ended up with. That relationship was abolished, null and void, I reminded myself.
I stared back at the present Nick on my screen, shaking off memories of long-ago days. Thankful on one hand I’d had the moment. Everyone needed a magical moment, to experience the kind of heat his touch produced. If only I could meet someone to recreate it with. I’d often wondered why I never had. To be honest, that memory had carried me through some dark times. But I’d learned my lesson and I was thankful I was no longer the woman who could be seduced by a pair of alluring blue eyes. The question was, how was I going to save the women I would pair him with from losing their heart to the possible narcissist staring back at me?
Chapter Two
Zander shook me out of my contemplation when he rushed by my office door, ashen faced, muttering, “That damn bearskin rug.”
What did that mean? “Is Meg okay?” I called out.
He didn’t respond.
I would call Meg later. I prayed she had nothing seriously wrong with her. Zander’s behavior had my insides brewing with unsettled feelings.
Kenadie poked her head in on her way out for the day. I still remember the days when she was the first one in and last one to leave. Married life suited her. I was happy she had found a good match in Jason, even if he went about getting to know her in an unconventional way, reckless, even. I thought back to when I evaluated him here in my office to use our services. There was something off about it. Not to say there were any red flags, but his questionnaire didn’t accurately depict him. It was apparent from talking to him that he was the kind of man who valued commitment and family. He was someone who wanted a life partner, despite marking he wasn’t looking to be in a serious relationship. I was right about that, but I had no idea he and Zander had cooked up the idea so he could get close to Kenadie. Zander managed to get Kenadie to be Jason’s relationship manager and as they say, the rest is history. Jason dated other women so he could woo Kenadie. Not the brightest idea, but if you thought about it, it was kind of romantic. Though professionally I would advise that deceit was never a good way to begin any relationship, even if the intention was pure.
“I heard back from Nick’s people and Nick is in favor of this new direction,” Kenadie said uneasily. Her creased brow said she was worried about what I’d previously disclosed.
I did my best to keep my sigh in. Part of me, like ninety-nine-point-nine percent of me, was hoping he wouldn’t agree. The tenth of the percent was only okay with it because I felt like I was sparing my coworkers any heartache. There was mass swooning in here yesterday when he arrived. The speculation through the office was rampant. Kenadie had yet to announce that Nick was using our services.
There were still aspects about how this partnership came about that I didn’t know, but Kenadie assured me that despite the fact that he was to become the face of Binary Search, he would be a real client in every sense of the word. Of course I thought our services could help everyone, but I had a hard time buying that Nick would find our services useful. Zander was right, the man was a player, if the tabloids from years gone by were to be believed. After his divorce, he didn’t seem to lack for female companionship. On his questionnaire, he stated his last relationship lasted two days and was only ten days ago. When I asked him about it, he smirked like it was a joke, or perhaps he thought I was. Why did I agree to be his relationship manager again? The answer was easy. I believed in what we did here, and I wanted to continue to help people avoid the earth-shattering pain I endured. The tools we gave people here to enter healthy relationships were priceless.
Kenadie stepped into my office. “Kate, you don’t have to do this. I know it’s a lot to ask outside of your role here. An invaluable role, I might add.”
I gave her a small smile. “You don’t need to butter me up. I hope I can help, or at least mitigate any disasters.”
“Disasters?” Kenadie gulped.
“I’m sure it will be fine.” There was no hiding the uncertainty in my voice.
She took a deep breath. “I hope so. He agreed to give you his personal number. I’ll email his contact info to you. And you know the drill, since you created most of the questions our relationship managers ask during the dating phase. I’m hoping by tomorrow to announce on our website that he’s using our service. Perhaps we could pair him with someone during Friday’s connection meeting?”
“So soon?” I wasn’t sure I was ready to go on the client date with him, or ever see him again.
“It’s been in the works for several months already, so yes.”
“I suppose that means you want me to contact him.”
Her button nose scrunched. “As soon as possible, if you would.”
“I’m thinking a raise is in order,” I teased.
“Done.” Her shoulders relaxed. “Thank you, Kate. I had no idea when I agreed to . . . well . . . let’s just say I thought I’d done my homework. And after talking to him several times, I’m surprised by how he came off in the evaluation.”
“I’ve been wrong about people before,” I tried to ease her angst.
“We were all wrong about Zander,” she grinned.
“Speaking of him, is Meg okay? I saw Zander flying out of here looking upset.”
She pressed her lips together in a thoughtful manner. “To be honest, the newlyweds haven’t wanted a lot of company. And Zander has been surprisingly attentive to Meg, as well as guarded with what he shares about their relationship.”
“That’s a good thing. He’s matured.”
“I never thought it would happen, but I’m happy for him and Meg.”
“Me as well.”
Kenadie checked the time on her phone. “I’ll text Zander to see if anything is amiss. But I need to get going. Jason and I are meeting my momma for dinner.”
“Tell your mom hello for me.”
Kenadie gave me a sly glance. “You know, Momma still thinks you and Dylan would make a great pair.”
Dylan was her older brother who lived in Boston. We’d shared a few nice dances at Kenadie’s wedding on New Year’s Eve and he had called a couple of times, but I had rules against dating cops and engaging in long-distance relationships. While I admired and respected law enforcement officers, their divorce rates were staggering, and long-distance relationships didn’t have good odds either. I couldn’t afford to make another misstep, so I only dated those who fell within my parameters. It had severely narrowed the field, but after Douglas, I had to put guidelines in place for my own well-being.
“As good of a matchmaker as your mom is, I don’t think it’s a good idea to date my boss’s brother.” It was another rule that fell in with no dating coworkers.
“Momma will be disappointed to hear that, but I understand. Besides, I already lost one of my best employees to Zander. I would hate to lose you, too.”
“Enjoy your dinner.”
“Knowing my momma, it will surely be interesting and most likely be her lamenting the fact that Rick and Renee got married at the courthouse and are still refusing to have a reception. Same with Zander and Meg. She and the Nanettes are itching to throw someone a reception. They still can’t believe both couples basically eloped. You would think that was an unpardonable sin in their book. If only Jason and I had been so brave.” She gave me a wave. “Anyway,
I better go before Momma has something else to complain about. Have a good night, Kate.”
“You too.” I smiled to myself as I watched her go out. Her mom and friends, dubbed the Nanettes by Kenadie and Zander, were the most meddling, lively, and adorable women I had ever met, except for my own mother, but she had her own eccentricities. Dad too.
My parents were some other people I should check on. Since Dad’s heart attack and subsequent retirement, they were either going to kill each other or separate. Either would devastate me, and more than likely leave me with my mom living with me. Yes, Dad would be the one to die in that scenario. Even though my mom was against killing animals to eat them or to wear them, she seemed to be on the verge of making an exception where Dad was involved. Especially since he was no longer going along with her new health fads and diet of the week. We’d been subjected to every diet imaginable, from the macrobiotic and Mediterranean diets to vegan and alkaline diets. She was currently on a vegan kick.
Since Dad’s heart attack, he decided, unfortunately, that all the healthy eating throughout the years had done him no good, so he was going against his doctor’s and my mother’s orders and eating anything he pleased. He brought home a bacon cheeseburger last week that had Mom staying the night with me until, as she put it, the animal’s spirit, which my father massacred, vacated the house. I hadn’t mentioned to her the club sandwich I had eaten earlier.
Although it all might be a moot point if Dad finally burns the house down with one of his home improvement projects. The man had no idea what he was doing, and the house looked like a tornado had come through and no one thought to call their insurance agent for repairs. Mom said that is was affecting her chi and Zen. Next week it would probably be her mana.
All I knew was I wanted my loving, albeit quirky, parents back. It was like Wars of the Roses over there now. And as much as I loved my parents, I didn’t want to live with one of them. That would put a damper on my already anemic love life. Nothing like bringing your date home and having your mother waiting up for you. That would definitely not help my plan to get married before my ovaries and skin shriveled up. I could picture my mom now, asking any potential husbands if they wore boxers or briefs and admonishing them that, if it was the latter, they were killing their sperm count. Mom once told one of my dates his voice was too low, which didn’t bode well for his sperm count. I had to get my parents to make up ASAP or I was never getting married.
I sighed and dialed Meg’s number before I headed out of the office. One worry at a time. It went to voice mail. I’d try back later.
Perhaps I should head to my parents’ for a little marriage counseling session. Or maybe I should drown my worries in a milkshake. Decisions, decisions.
Chapter Three
Meg saved me from the empty calories of a milkshake and trying to fix my parents’ relationship by calling me on my way home and asking me to meet her at our favorite juice bar, which made killer smoothies. I asked how she was feeling and she said she would explain it all when we met, but that all was well. I had a feeling by the tone of her voice that she was looking for more than a friendly chat. In my line of work, I was used to it. For some reason, people thought since I had a doctorate in psychology I had magical answers to give. Unfortunately, there were no magic fixes. I could give insight, even offer treatment plans, but either way it required work. I was surprised how many people wanted answers and solutions yet were unwilling to make changes.
Meg was not one of those people. Not that she needed to change anything or looked to me to fix her problems. She mostly liked to hear my take on things, especially when she was dating Zander. For good reason, she had some trepidation about dating a man who proudly used to declare he was never getting married and had dated more women than there were days in a calendar year.
Maybe Meg had some supernatural power. She certainly had an effect on Zander. He was still Zander—as in, he still made inappropriate comments and he had a high opinion of himself—but I had watched him the last several months with Meg. He seemed to be in awe of her. Like she offered him a new way of thinking about life. A life he never knew existed, but now couldn’t get enough of it.
Not to say they didn’t have any disagreements. There were a few times the office got a little interesting when they had tiffs, like Meg called them, but they were quick to make up and move on. Zander, surprisingly, was the first to apologize. He was also usually the one to cause the issue, but he didn’t like it when things weren’t good with Meg. It was as if a piece of him was missing when Meg was unhappy with him. Flowers would be delivered, and PDA abounded in the office when she worked there. It was nauseating but admittedly cute. And honestly, it made me a little envious.
I had to remind myself to turn to all the good in my life to combat those feelings, and there were plenty of things to be grateful for. Despite not having the family I’d always hoped for, I was educated, made a good income, owned my own townhome, and when my parents were sane they were amazing people. I had a feeling I would be telling myself this a lot with my new responsibilities at work. I couldn’t believe I agreed to be Nick Wells’s relationship manager and that I would have to go on a client date with him this week. He would probably look at his phone the entire time or stare at me as if he couldn’t believe some mere mortal was speaking to him. He had done that a lot yesterday. I tried not to let it unnerve me. Not sure how well I did.
I arrived at the juice bar not too far from my place in Druid Hills. I’d landed in the same community as my parents. When they built some new townhomes in my price range there, I couldn’t resist. I loved the small-town feel in the middle of Atlanta. I could walk to my favorite bookstore and favorite places to eat. The parks and the overall sense of community were amazing. Maybe someday my children would even get to take advantage of the great schools. You know, before my ovaries died a slow, painful death waiting for the ideal candidate to make use of them.
I arrived before Meg and got us a bistro table with high-back chairs by the window. The juice bar didn’t see a big crowd around dinner time. During breakfast and lunch, this place was packed. I normally didn’t drink my dinner either, but I was looking forward to talking to Meg. I had connected with her more than anyone in the office and missed her daily presence. Most of my coworkers thought I kept to myself, and I did. I was one to sit back and observe. I was interested in their lives and getting to know them, but life taught me to be cautious about forming attachments. Funny, I was happy to help others form them and keep them. Or was that ironic? Since being in Kenadie’s wedding, I had tried to engage more in the office and even outside with Meg and sometimes Kenadie, but I knew I could be better. I suppose my new role would help with that. So perhaps that was the silver lining?
Meg pulled up to the front of the shop in her old truck. She slowly exited and when I caught a full view of her, I could tell even from a distance that she didn’t look well. Her olive skin that was normally darkened this time of year from being in the sun was pale, and the usual bounce in her step was gone. Worry crept in again.
With the jingle of the bell, I waved to her. It was there I caught her red eyes. I stood, more worried than I had been. She took labored, deliberate steps to me and we greeted each other with an embrace.
“Hi, there.”
That was enough to invite her to cry on my shoulder. She was a few inches shorter than my five-feet-seven. A few of the other patrons glanced our way, but they did the decent thing and didn’t linger on the scene.
I patted her back. “I thought you said everything was okay.”
She tried to compose herself before stepping back and wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m fine. Really, I am. I think.” Tears filled her pale green eyes.
Everyone always commented on Zander’s bright green eyes, but I thought Meg’s outdid his.
“Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll go order for us. Do you want your usual?”
“Actually, I think I’ll go with the raw banana ginger one.”
&n
bsp; I tilted my head but didn’t press; instead, I squeezed her hand. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded her thanks and took a seat while I headed to the counter to order. Maybe she was nauseous, that’s why she wanted the ginger. A light went off in my head. No. That couldn’t be. They hadn’t even been married two months. I held my flat stomach. It hadn’t taken that long for me either, I remembered. I always remembered. Why did I feel so empty still? Annulment was an ugly word, miscarriage was vile. Positive thoughts. I was here for Meg.
I walked back to her as soon as the order was placed and paid for. They would bring the smoothies to our table. Meg was staring wistfully out the window as if she was hoping for someone to arrive.
I took my seat across from her. “You can begin anytime,” I said, using a little therapist humor.
She gave me a tiny smile for my woeful comedic attempt. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“Anytime. What’s going on?”
She tucked her short dark hair behind her ear. “Well . . . I finally got all my things moved into Zander’s apartment.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m still on track to graduate at the end of next month.”
“All good news.”
“And,” her voice cracked, “I’m pregnant.”
My training kicked in and I showed no signs of shock or envy. I gave her a gentle smile. “Congratulations. How do you feel about it?”
“Me?” She wiped her eyes. “I’m so happy, as you can tell.” She laughed.
I reached across and took her hand. “Are you really?”
“I am. It definitely wasn’t in the plan right now, but I can’t think of anything I would want more than a baby with Zander.” She pressed her lips together and tried to stave off any more tears. “But, Zander . . . he is . . .”
I held my breath and tried to repress my memories of when I told Douglas I was pregnant. It was the beginning of the end of something that should have never even started. I hoped Zander wasn’t so callous.
Dating by Design Series - Box Set Page 52