Sheri turned to a man near her. "Larry, you were here that afternoon. Tell us what you saw."
"I recognize that guy," Lazer said. "He's a regular at the distillery."
Larry laid out the story in excruciating detail. He was very flattering to me, calling me beautiful and a rare unicorn. He explained how every man there had noticed me, but none of them had the courage to approach me. They were used to being shot down. Used to having to compete. Being shot down in public was humiliating, emasculating.
He described how Lazer had boldly shown them how it was done by confidently approaching me. How they all envied him. And how they gave him a standing ovation when I left with him.
"You could tell right there they had chemistry," Larry said. "There was a special spark, you know?"
"I do," Sheri said, slyly. "Others have reported it. Some in more detail than others."
"I have the whole thing on my phone," Larry said. "That's how awesome and unusual it was to see something like that. I gave it to your producers. I should have put it on YouTube. I was trying to give Lazer and Ashley some privacy. But damn!"
"It's never too late," Sheri said sympathetically. "I don't think they'd mind. The cat is out of the bag now. Let's run the video."
I watched, transfixed, seeing the scene play out as if viewing an out-of-body experience. All the passion and lust was on full display. Still sizzling. No one could have missed it. But there was something else. Something special. That spark.
"Damn," Lazer whispered to me. "That video is hot. If I wasn't hooked up to a heart monitor in a hospital bed, I'd take you right now."
"What's stopping you?" I whispered. "Is your heart not strong enough for sex, big boy?"
He laughed. "My heart is exactly the problem. But not because it's not strong enough. The minute I touch you, it will go crazy. I don't need a nurse running in here in the middle of the act."
"Disconnect it," I taunted him.
"And go flatline?" He looked incredulous, but teasingly so. "And have them run in here with an emergency cart? That's a turn-on."
I grinned at him and ran my hand up his leg. "Incentive to get well. Soon."
Sheri swooned herself. Several other men joined in, verifying the story.
Larry looked directly into the camera. "Lazer, man, if you're watching this, you're letting us all down. I'm getting ahead of the story, but buddy, I never thought I'd be the one giving you dating advice. But here it is—land that woman. Take her out of circulation before someone else takes her off your hands."
Surprisingly, Sheri let Larry talk.
"Even though the odds are evening up, it's dog eat dog out here. I don't know what the truth is about you being a carrot for your matchmaking company. Seeing that spark from the beginning, I'd say you couldn't help yourself. Bring it out in the open, man, and commit."
The crowd in the bar cheered. A dozen other guys crowded in to add their two cents.
Lazer reached for his phone.
"What are you doing?" I said.
"Calling Sheri."
"You think she has her phone on her live on air?" I scoffed.
Just as Sheri's phone rang in her dress pocket.
She pulled it out, looking pleased with herself. "This isn't live call-in, but I'm going to make an exception for this caller. Hello, Lazer. Welcome to the show."
I stared at Lazer, mouth open, heart pounding.
"Hey, Sheri. Larry. Have a drink on me. Tell Cary to put it on my tab." Lazer laughed. "I see my friends Austin, Dylan, Cam, Jeremy."
The camera panned to them.
"I'm watching the show from my hospital bed. I couldn't let the charges go unanswered. I'm a big enough man to admit when others are right. In this case, Larry is spot on.
"Consider this my public statement. The scoop is yours, Sheri. As of last night, I have taken myself out of the Pair Us dating pool." He glanced at me and squeezed my hand. "I've found my perfect match. She's sitting right here next to me. She's the beauty in the red dress in the video, Ashley Harte.
"I'd like to answer the charges that I'm sure you'll get to that we intentionally dated behind the backs of our clients. That we were laughing to ourselves about taking advantage of the female clients and using me to build the business.
"I won't deny that we used me to our advantage. I was a draw to entice women into signing up as clients and trying the app. Nor will I deny that I wasn't serious about finding a match, a wife, whatever.
"My thought all along was this was a great opportunity to date a lot of beautiful women while building a new enterprise. So, yes, in that way, I was deceitful.
"I founded Pair Us and funded the app because I saw a need and a niche for both. I started them to help my buddies get the success they deserved. And wives. Those four guys are looking to settle down, ladies." Lazer laughed.
"I asked Ashley to be part of it because of her expertise. Because, after I picked her up at the distillery, she gave me the germ of the idea for the business when she told me she was scouting Seattle as a possible place to open another matchmaking office. She told me about the imbalance of men and women across the country that gave me the idea for the app. And I was intrigued by her.
"But the real truth is, I never meant to fall in love with her. I did that as I got to know her, really know her, and follow her matchmaking advice and program." He turned and smiled at me.
I blinked back tears of joy.
"It really does work," he said. "I'm living proof. If she can get a commitmentphobe like me to settle down…
"Sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. Mine wants Ashley. I hope everyone understands and finds their own soulmate. Use the app. Use our service. Use both. Use whatever means you have, just do it."
"Thank you, Lazer," Sheri said. "Thank you for calling in and giving us your side. This is an exclusive. We're the only one Lazer has told his side of the story to.
"We have to break for commercial now. When we get back, we'll talk to Lazer's friends about their exciting rescue of him. And later in the show, our roving reporters will report from men and women all over the city about how Lazer's app has changed the dating scene here for the better. And how this New Year's Eve was the best one yet for many men, and women, in Seattle."
As Sheri broke to a commercial, I turned to Lazer. "You big liar! You planned this! I've been ambushed."
He grinned. "I had to do something to save Pair Us. And make up for not kissing you in Times Square."
I cupped his face in my hands. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Ashley." His voice was low and sexy. "You have no idea how much."
"I think I do," I said. "I think from now on, I'm going to call you Mr. Committed."
Chapter 9
Ashley
February 14
Valentine's Day was a matchmaker's nightmare holiday. Kind of like Christmas Eve for the post office and package delivery services. You worked as late as you had to. Which, because people went on dates on Valentine's Day, and stayed out all hours, meant pretty much pulling an all-nighter. Valentine's Day, more than any other holiday, with the possible exception of New Year's Eve, brought out the insecurity in people. And the neediness. And there was all that pressure to have a date. And for that date to be romantic.
Lazer wanted to take me out for a romantic evening. He practically insisted on it. I resisted, relenting only enough to allow him to bring me dinner at the office. That was what life being with a matchmaker was like. You had to celebrate your romantic holiday on off-days.
Since his accident, Lazer had recovered, for the most part. The plastic surgeon had done a fantastic job, but the scar on Lazer's face was still red. The doctor had said it would fade over time.
I liked the scar. It was strange. But it made him less perfect. More real. And it reminded me, as if I needed it, that life was unpredictable and could change in an instant. For better or worse.
After New Year’s, the men had become real celebrities in their own right. I had trou
ble keeping up with all the matches they were going on.
Danika had put on a brave public show of "getting over" Lazer. In private, she employed her investigative journalism skills. She was the one, working with Lazer's PI, who discovered that Elizabeth, one of the three women I'd sent home for violating the rules, was behind the leaks. She'd gone so far as to bribe a security staffer in Lazer's building to provide that damning closed-circuit footage of me leaving Lazer's condo the night we met. Together they'd sold it to the tabloids for an outrageous sum.
I was deep in thought when there was a knock on my door. I looked up to find Lazer staring lovingly and lustily down at me with a bag of carryout in hand.
"Hey, beautiful."
I grinned up at him. "Good. It's you. I'm starved." I stood and kissed him.
"Have you heard the news?" he said.
"What news?"
"The guys have been jointly named Seattle's Hottest Bachelor for February."
"What?" I could hardly believe it.
"Yeah," Lazer said. "It takes four of them to make up for one of me." He gave me a lopsided grin. He pulled his phone out and showed me the article online.
I handed it back to him. "Role reversal?" I shook my head. "We've created four monsters. Aren't these the men who wanted wives? Are they trying to cheat me out of my finder's fee?"
Lazer took my hand. "They're making you work for it." He kissed me again. "Don't worry. They still want wives. Let them enjoy the moment. In a couple of months, the novelty will have worn off."
"A couple of months?" I raised an eyebrow and shot him a skeptical look. "Is that how long it took you?"
He laughed. "Some people learn faster than others. I'd never admit it to the guys, but they're smarter than I am." He tugged my hand. "Come into the reception area. It's Valentine's. I have to make a romantic gesture. It's the law."
"And it has to be in the reception area?" I said, letting him pull me along.
"That's where our bridge is, isn't it?" He pulled his gold heart lock from his pocket and held it out for me to see. "I had it engraved with our names. We're going to be legendary as Pair Us' first match. It's fitting, isn't it?"
"Um." I didn't have the heart to tell him that I thought the hearts shouldn't be locked on our bridge sculpture until the couple was engaged or had committed to a permanent relationship. "Your heart is solid gold," I said.
"Thank you. Nice of you to say so." He had the sexiest eyes, especially when they danced with amusement.
I shook my head at his antics. "You know what I mean. Are you sure you want to put it out where anyone could steal it?"
"Someone already has."
"Charmer."
He laughed. "Come on. Let's pick a spot."
We took our time examining the sculpture. Finally, we find a prime spot at the peak of the bridge. It seemed fitting to be the ones at the top of the game.
Lazer had been holding the lock. "You mark the spot. I'll unlock the lock."
I stood on my toes, with my back to him, while he fumbled with the key to the lock. I heard it spring open.
"You put it on." He pressed the lock into my hand.
"No," I said. "We'll put it on together—"
At that moment, I looked at the open lock he'd handed me. A beautiful, monstrous diamond ring hung on the hook. My mouth fell open. I turned to him.
Lazer was down on one knee. "Ashley Harte, will you marry me?"
I looked at the ring. I looked at him. "Yes." I was so stunned. "Yes!" I handed him the lock.
He stood and slipped the ring on my finger.
I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. There are all kinds of kisses. But a kiss sealing an engagement is the most enthusiastic and best kiss of all.
By the time we pulled apart, tears were running down my face.
He wiped them away with his bare hand and took my hand in his. "The ring looks beautiful on your hand."
I looked up at him. "It's huge."
He had a teasing, devilish look in his eyes, which encouraged me.
"It's practically gaudy and certainly ostentatious," I said.
"After resolving to stay single for so long, I had to make a point. Set an example. And brand you as mine."
"Shut up!" I shook my head.
"And there's that competition factor with your late husband."
I sighed. "There's no competition. There's room for both of you in my heart." I paused. "But he had better taste in jewelry. Not as much money. But—"
Lazer squeezed my hand in his. "Ouch! That ring is a killer. I think it scratched me." He winked.
"What are you up to?" I said.
He lifted my hand. "This ring is just for show. A placeholder. We'll get you another ring. One you pick out."
"You got the biggest ring you could find, didn't you?" I said.
He shrugged.
I laughed. "You're incorrigible."
"And that's why you love me." He had a twinkle in his eyes.
"And that's why I love you. Because despite your protests, you're an incorrigible romantic." I held my hand out and watched that big-ass diamond sparkle on my hand while he stood silently by, humoring me. He knew enough that women liked to admire their new engagement rings.
Finally, he dangled the lock on the end of a finger as he held it out to me. "Shall we hang this now?" He started laughing. "Now that we meet the rules and are officially engaged. You flinched earlier."
I stared at him. "Damn you! You knew the rules. You knew we didn't qualify to put the lock on the sculpture yet. You were toying with me. Seeing what I'd let you get away with." I snatched the lock away from him.
"Everything, apparently." He put his arms around me. "I always win at the game of love," he whispered in my ear as he guided my arm up to where we agreed to put the lock.
I could have argued with him. I was the winner here. But I let him have his moment of victory as we closed the lock in place. What was love, anyway, except making the other person happy?
But as for him winning the game of love, the game was just beginning…
* * *
Thank You!
Thanks for reading Match Point! I hope you enjoyed it!
If you liked The Billionaire Matchmaker Series, you’ll love Almost Jamie, which is Austin’s story. You won’t want to miss finding out how our hot redhead finds his perfect match. Grab your copy today!
And if you haven’t read the other two Jet City Billionaire romance series, check out Switched at Marriage and The Billionaire Duke.
Want to know when my next book will be out? Sign up for my new release newsletter at ginarobinson.com. If you’re on the list, you’ll always be the first to know about new releases, including when the next Jet City romance will be available.
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Also by Gina Robinson
The Billionaire Matchmaker Series
Part 1—Lazer Focused
Part 2—Harte Strings
Part 3—Pair Us
Part 4—Dating Lazer
Part 5—Match Point
The Billionaire Duke Series
Part 1—The Billionaire Duke
Part 2—The Duchess Contest
Part 3—The Temporary Duchess
Part 4—The American Heir
The Switched at Marriage Series
Part 1—A Wedding to Remember
Part 2—The Virgin Billionaire
Part 3—To Have and To Hold
Part 4—From This Day Forward
Part 5—For Richer, For Richest
Part 6—In Sickness and In Wealth
Part 7—To Love and To Cherish
The Billionaire’s Christmas Vows
Gina Robinson’s Contemporary New Adult Romance Series
The Rushed Series
Book 1—Rushed, Zach and Alexis’ story
B
ook 2—Crushed, Dakota and Morgan’s story
Book 3—Hushed, Seth and Maddie’s story
The Reckless Series
Book 1—Reckless Longing
Book 2—Reckless Secrets
Book 3—Reckless Together
About the Author
Gina Robinson is the bestselling and award-winning author of the popular Switched at Marriage and Billionaire Duke romantic comedy serials, featuring a billionaire in a surprising marriage of convenience and a billionaire who inherits a British dukedom, the Reckless and Rushed contemporary new adult romance series, and the Agent Ex series of humorous romantic suspense novels. Her books have delighted readers and received praise in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Romantic Times Book Reviews.
She writes romance and women's fiction across a wide variety of subgenres--romantic comedy, new adult, contemporary, historical, and romantic suspense. Her love stories are infused with a blend of romance, adventure, a bit of mystery, and humor. Readers are drawn to the light touch she gives even serious topics and the fast, fun, easy-to-read pace of her books.
Sign up for her mailing list at www.ginarobinson.com and be the first to hear about new releases, contests, and giveaways.
@ginamrobinson
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Match Point: A Jet City Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire Matchmaker Series Book 5) Page 8