Captivated By The Tycoon

“The call I got earlier was about a company I’m thinking of investing in.”

At her questioning look, he supplied, “The company founder is having trouble ceding control to professional management.”

“Interesting.”

He leaned forward, his eyes holding hers. “Tonight, though, all I’m interested in is investing in you.”

As a come-on line, it was inventive and not half-bad.

After a moment, his eyes danced. “How’m I doing?”

“Not bad.” She cleared her throat and tried to clear her mind. She really had to stay on topic. “We should discuss how you’re going to describe yourself to a real date.”

“Tell me more about the Fletcher Method,” he countered.

“It’s a little like detox. It’s boot camp for entry into long-term commitment.”

“By reprogramming men?”

“Both sides,” she insisted. “It tries to clue in both parties about the expectations of the other side.”

“In other words, remember Valentine’s Day, her birthday and your anniversary.”

“That’s right, because, you know, there’s nothing that says ‘I love you’ like a Valentine’s Day card sent overnight express by your secretary.”

He smiled. “Okay, I’ll file that tip away. No more urgent deliveries arranged by the secretary.”

“That’s a start. Many men wake up well into their marriages scratching their heads and saying, ‘What did I do wrong?’ They don’t have a clue as to why the woman is upset. I don’t just want my clients to find a match, I want them to find a lasting match.”

He contemplated her for a moment. “Matchmaking is a curious field for you to go into.”

“You mean because I’ve had such bad luck in love myself?” She put into words what he’d left unstated.

He inclined his head.

“Not so curious. I have no intention of taking the plunge myself anytime soon.”

“A bit cynical for a matchmaker, aren’t you?”

“I suppose it’s easy for you—or anyone—to think that, since I was stood up at the altar, but it’s far from the truth.”

The times any of her clients had bothered to delve into her past or had recognized her as Parker’s jilted bride, she’d had the same answer at the ready. After all, no one wanted to take advice from a matchmaker who was unlucky in love.

In fact, the effects of a powerful cocktail of pain, humiliation and, yes, seething anger had worn off long ago. These days, she was on an even keel—except when her past came back to visit her, especially in the form of an enigmatic corporate tycoon.

Matt looked at her quizzically. “Have you ever thought maybe not getting married to Parker was for the best?”