by Marie Carnay
Steve snorted. “That matchmaking thing? Pfft. Come on, what a joke.”
“You're girlfriend didn’t seem to think so.”
“That was just a gag. She was only on there to rile up her ex.”
Harlow crossed her arms. “And him being my investor and possible boyfriend was just a coincidence, right?”
Leanne gasped. “Steve, you didn’t.”
Steve rubbed the back of his neck. “I might have mentioned it. But I didn’t know she’d get on there, I swear. I told her not to.”
Harlow waved him off. She was sick of his excuses. All this time she’d given him the benefit of the doubt, brushed him off instead of bringing up his behavior to Bill or HR. Now it didn’t matter. She was leaving.
“If Steve tried to sabotage her business, that’s against company policy. Bill, he needs to be reprimanded.” Leanne pointed at Steve, her expression serious. “If he’s been trying to get her fired, that's grounds for dismissal.”
Bill nodded, his face pained. “Steve, I want to see you in HR in thirty minutes. I am opening a formal investigation.”
“Aw man, come on.”
Bill glowered and Steve got the hint, scurrying away before Leanne could say any more.
“I’m sorry he’s been difficult. I had no idea.” Bill’s features softened as he turned to Harlow. “You really have been an asset here. We’ll miss you.”
“Thank you, Bill. But I have to go. It’s time I tried something new.”
“I understand.” He held out his hand and Harlow shook it. “Good luck.”
Harlow nodded and watched him walk away.
“Wow. You really know how to quit.” Leanne scooted into Harlow’s workspace, eyes still wide in shock.
“I didn’t mean to. Honestly, I just came to get my stuff and give notice through HR. I wasn’t even going to talk to Bill.”
“Well, this was better. Now Steve might get canned, I won’t have to deal with his sorry behind any longer, and Bill knows what a jerk he’s been.” She smiled. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So you’re serious? Foster and Dixon are investing in your business?”
Harlow nodded, filling Leanne in on the details as she packed the rest of her things.
“That’s amazing.” Leanne glanced down at her hands and back up. “So when you get settled, you think there’s room in your program for another client?”
“You?”
Leanne nodded.
Harlow clapped her hands in excitement. “Of course. But I’ve got one question: How do you feel about dating two guys instead of just one?”
“What?” Leanne’s eyebrows arched toward the sky.
Harlow smiled. “Just keep an open mind, okay?” She gave Leanne a quick hug, picked up her box, and walked back toward the elevator. This was the start of something wonderful.
A few minutes later, she pushed through the revolving door and back out onto the Chicago street. A black town car sat on the curb and Foster and Dixon leaned against it, looking every bit the pair of debonair bachelors she’d met that first night.
Foster’s shirt flared open, unbuttoned just enough to reveal a hint of tanned skin, his blue sport coat cut just right. Aviators hid Dixon’s eyes, but his smile said all Harlow needed to know.
They loved her and were ready to go off on a new adventure together. She came to a stop on the sidewalk, holding the box in front of her with both hands.
“Is it done?”
“Yep. I’m officially a free woman.”
Dixon plucked the box from her hands and Foster opened the door to the car so he could deposit it inside. As Dixon stood back up, he reached for her. “Any chance you want to change that?” He kissed her lips before whispering in her ear. “I can think of a million ways to use that scarf around your neck.”
Harlow grinned. “What have I gotten myself into?”
Dixon didn’t answer, opting instead to plant another kiss on her lips before climbing into the car.
Foster pulled the door to the car open wider and helped Harlow inside. As he climbed in behind her and shut the door, Dixon pulled a bottle of champagne out of an ice bucket in the door.
“Let’s toast to the future. We don’t know where it will lead, but whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”
He popped the top of the bottle and poured them all a glass as the driver eased onto the road. Harlow took her glass and clinked it against both Foster and Dixon’s. The future started right now.
Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER
HARLOW
A man worked on the front door to the office, etching the logo into the glass. Harlow held her breath, too excited to do anything but watch.
“You're sure this is what you want to do?” Dixon sipped his coffee as he leaned back, burled walnut desktop stretching behind him. “It’s not the matchmaking service we envisioned.”
Harlow exhaled and turned to Dixon. “It’s the right thing to do. There are a million matchmaking services and apps and websites out there that cater to the mainstream. There’s nothing like this.”
Foster sneaked by the man still hard at work before giving Harlow a quick hug. “Ready for launch date tomorrow?”
Harlow nodded. “Maddie finished up the interior design last night. We’ve got the website all ready. The program seems to be running right.” With every affirmation, she ticked them off on her fingers. “The logo is the last thing.”
“Starting small was a good choice. We can test out the local market and go from there.”
Harlow nodded. “I’ve even got my first customer.”
Dixon raised his eyebrows. “You do?”
“Mm-hmm. Leanne from work. She asked even before I left.”
Foster smiled. “Everything’s working out just like we hoped.”
“Better.” Harlow turned back to the front door as the man peeled the paper away.
She clapped her hands in delight.
The MFM Agency was stenciled into the middle of the door with a rough-edged circle ringing the words.
“It’s perfect.”
Dixon reached for her and pulled her close. “Not as perfect as you. I’m afraid every match you make from now on will pale in comparison to this one.”
She batted at his chest. “Pfft. I wasn’t even trying with us. Just wait until I put some effort into it.”
Foster shook his head. “Don’t give her a challenge like that. You know she’ll be here every night until midnight, determined to show you up.”
“I have complete confidence in all of our abilities. The MFM Agency will break new ground. We’ll be pioneers in the field.”
“You’re sure you want to do this with me? If you have second thoughts…”
Dixon waved Harlow off. “Of course we’re sure.”
While Dixon allayed Harlow’s concerns, Foster finished up with the door man, signing his invoice and ushering him toward the elevator. After a moment, he returned.
“It’s official. The MFM Agency launches tomorrow.” He leaned in and kissed Harlow on the cheek. “Congratulations. I know how hard you’ve worked for this.”
Harlow smiled. She had worked hard. The last six months had been a whirlwind of planning and testing and formulating the business structure. Dixon and Foster had provided more assistance than she’d ever dreamed possible. This new business was a team effort in every sense.
“If it weren’t for the two of you, I’d never have managed.”
Dixon and Foster glanced at each other and Harlow frowned. Were they seriously downplaying their involvement?
She opened her mouth to thank them again when both men surprised her.
They took her by the hands, leading her over to the windows where a box she hadn’t noticed sat beside a vase of flowers. Harlow stared at the little package, her brain trying to catch up to the beat of her heart.
“What’s going on?”
Foster smiled and dropped to one knee. Dixon reached for the box
and did the same.
Oh my God. This isn’t happening. I’ve fallen and hit my head. I’m dreaming all this. Maybe I never woke up this morning.
Dixon opened the box and the ring inside caught the light from the window and erupted in a million sparkles. The pair of diamonds on top were flanked by a pave cascade that disappeared down the sides of the ring.
Harlow had never seen anything so beautiful.
Foster plucked the ring from the box and held it out. “Harlow, we know it’s only been a few months, but there’s no doubt in either of our minds. We love you, cherish you, and want to spend the rest of our lives making you happy.”
Dixon nodded in agreement. “We want to be more than just partners in business, Harlow.” He pointed at the ring. “There’s only one band, but there’s two grooms, so we thought a pair of diamonds would be more appropriate.”
She swallowed. They couldn’t be serious. “What are you saying?”
Foster smiled. “Harlow Crane, will you do us the honor and be our wife?”
Wow. She stared at the ring, at the two diamonds proclaiming her unusual type of love, at the two men who kneeled before her, pledging to be hers forever.
Before she met Foster and Dixon, she had prepared herself to be single the rest of her life. To focus on her terrible day job and her matchmaking business and make other people’s dreams come true.
Now she could add her own picture to the wall of success stories that would grace her brand-new office. She held out her hand as her eyes brimmed with happy tears.
“Yes. I would be honored to be your wife.”
Dixon and Foster both slid the ring on her finger before standing and wrapping Harlow up in their arms.
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Also by Marie Carnay
Check out my Double the Fun series for more steamy MFM romance today!
Two billionaire brothers, one feisty woman, and a media firestorm. Turn up the heat, this love is ready to ignite.
Gage and Holt have a problem only good press can solve. When the brothers buy a struggling news network, they find the perfect woman to change their image. The only catch? Her sexy curves and spitfire personality spark way more than good press.
Jess spends her days tucked safely behind the scenes. When Gage and Holt demand she work for them—up close and personal—she’s forced way out of her comfort zone. She never expected to end up splashed on the front page or tangled up in the arms of two men.
The last time the brothers dated the same woman, it ended in disaster. Will the media torch this new love before it starts? Or will the brothers be the light Jess needs to shine?
Find out in Double Trouble today.
About the Author
Growing up surrounded by three generations of romance fans, Marie learned early on what an escape a good book could be.
After a stint in a high-pressure career, she traded in the suits and late nights for her first passion, writing. If she’s not working on her next steamy romance, she’s spending time with her family in the great outdoors.
If you liked this story and have a few minutes, please leave a review. Every one helps new readers discover Marie’s work and helps her keep on writing.
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mariecarnay
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