She slid onto the cushioned seat, crossed her legs, and settled in for a lengthy evening.

The women already knew each other well, so Kate figured she had a long way to travel before being able to join in the group’s conversation. Thankfully, this was not the life she’d have forced on her. Socializing for Kinnections was a very different thing, and she’d always hated the almost political, ruthless cliques in business, turning adults into scrambling teens looking to belong to the popular group. She forced a welcoming smile and focused her attention on the women.

The three of them smiled back, taking in her appearance and cataloguing it for future reference. Kate wondered about their reaction if she confessed the truth about being a matchmaker. Slade seemed to catch her thought and tossed her a warning look before the waiter came to take their drink orders.

Linda spoke up. “They have these wonderful signature drinks here I adore. Crushed basil with a bit of mint, it’s almost like a mojito but better.”

“Hmm, that sounds wonderful,” she said.

“Kate doesn’t drink.”

The words were flung out at the table in a commanding voice that had everyone nodding as if they understood. “Too many calories, right?” Melody said.

Kate stared at his implacable face. Ah, her punishment for his belief she was higher than a kite. A giggle threatened, but she managed to smother it just in time. Did he really think he was dealing with an amateur?

“I’ll have a gin and tonic. The lady will have sparkling water,” Slade instructed.

She lifted her face up at the waiter and smiled sweetly. “It’s a special occasion, right? I’ll have one of those signature drinks, please. I’m off my diet for tonight.”

Slade opened his mouth to contradict her, then quickly closed it. Round one to her. God knows, she’d need some alcohol to get her through. He jerked his head but managed to play off his irritation. Maybe this would be more fun than she thought.

“So, Kate, we hear you’re an accountant. You’re in tax season, now—it must be brutal,” Linda said.

“Yes, I’m practically chained to my desk. Slade and I have been looking forward to this evening; we rarely get out this time of year.”

Bob gave Slade a proud look. “A real power couple, huh? Ah, to be that young again with the future ahead. I remember when I started Myers, Inc., we had two offices, my brother and I, and a few clients. But we were hungry, and eventually we made a name for ourselves as the prestige firm in New York.”

Linda placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder and shook her head. “He always had great ambition to be the best. Fortunately, so did I.”

“What do you do, Linda?” Kate asked.

“I’m a lawyer, too.” Her eyes sparkled. “In fact, I’m Bob’s biggest competition.”

Kate grinned. “That must have been interesting after hours.”

“Oh, yes, but we made it work. We both respected each other’s ambition. I think couples who own their own businesses have bigger challenges, but they understand one another. They are sometimes a better fit.”

Interesting. Kate wondered if that was another reason Slade was so keen on only being involved with a career woman who owned her business. She sipped her drink, enjoying the sweetness of basil, the chill of the ice, and the sting of alcohol blending together.

“What’s your accounting firm called, Kate?” Travis asked.

“Kinnections.”

She froze, the name slipping out too fast for her to backtrack. Travis cocked his head. “Odd name for an accounting company, isn’t it?”

Slade tightened his fingers around his glass. He opened his mouth to rescue her, but she’d always hated the formulaic princes on horseback. She preferred the princesses who slayed the damn dragons themselves. “Kind of like connect the dots to your refund. A play on words.”

Everyone laughed. She took another sip. God, the drink was good. She ignored her companion’s warning glance and ordered another. One more wouldn’t hurt, especially with the amount of meat she was about to feast on. “Clever,” Melody drawled. “And how did you two meet?”

“I needed an accountant, of course,” Slade said. “Thank goodness it only took me two visits to get her to accept my dinner invitation. She’s quite expensive.”

“I bet she is,” Samuel murmured.

Her gaze narrowed. He was sizing the two of them up, as if he sensed there was something underneath the surface of a newly dating couple. Kate sucked in a breath and vowed—no matter how much Slade pissed her off—to help him gain entrance into the inner circle for partnership. “It’s like we’re meant to be, isn’t it, darling?” she cooed, staring up at him from under her lashes.

He quickly covered his surprise. “Yes.”

“How long has it been?” Samuel asked.

“A month,” Slade answered.

His brow shot up. “Thinking of going permanent so soon, Slade?” His voice rippled like an oily snake. “You always seemed to equate marriage with funerals. Or so you’ve said in the conference rooms.”

Slade lifted a shoulder. “I never met Kate,” he said simply. “One of the benefits of being older is when you finally meet the right woman, you don’t need the same amount of time to figure it out. You just know.”

A shudder racked her body. His words cut deep, with a need for them to be real that scared her on a gut level. What was happening to her? She acted so strangely in his presence, as if the false words that fell from his lips were real. As if they were meant for her. Kate forced a smile as the older couples nodded, as if reliving their own memories. She also noticed Samuel’s features tighten. Take that.

Bob lifted his hand. “I’m happy for you, Slade. You know I believe my partners should have a solid family life, or the hours in the office chew you up and spit you out. And I may have good news for you, Kate. I’ve been looking for a new accountant. With retirement looming, I’ve gotten contradictory statements on IRAs versus mutual funds versus bonds. Some of my investors are telling me to buy gold instead of trusting the economy. What are you advising for your clients now?”

Kate froze. Holy shit. She didn’t know a mutual fund from a checking account. She left the major math to Arilyn and her geekness, and rarely got involved with investments. Slade chuckled. “No worries, Bob. I’m sure she can give you the inner workings later. I’ll talk with you about setting up an appointment.”

“Sounds good. But honestly, what’s your opinion on that, Kate?”

Everyone stared.

She cleared her throat. The hell with it. She tried to remember a few of Arilyn’s musings on the financial world. “I’ve been pushing my clients toward the stock market lately. Plenty of risk factors which equal growth.”

Bob frowned. “Now, that I haven’t heard. I just got slammed on some cash cows, and I’m not happy about it. What are you suggesting?”

She twisted the napkin on her lap and reached for calm. “Matchmaking agencies,” she burst out.

Melody leaned forward. “Like that woman on Bravo? The one with the reality TV show where she matches millionaires?”

Kate nodded. “Yes, but newer agencies are storming the market and will be the next big thing after social media.”

Travis shook his head. “I took a hosing on Facebook. No more of that for me.”

“Love is the biggest commodity people are searching for,” Kate said. “People don’t have the time to date or figure things out for themselves. Matchmaking agencies are the perfect vehicle to transcend the dating world, way beyond eHarmony and internet sites. A personalized approach is key, and very affordable. I think it’s the next big thing.”

“Fascinating,” Bob said. “Slade, you’ve got a smart woman here. I’m going to look into this first thing Monday morning, after I make an appointment to see you in the office.”

Kate beamed.


HE WAS GOING TO strangle her.

Slade kept a tight grip on his calm which shook ferociously under the storm that was Kate Seymour. He ducked his head and concentrated on his meal in order to give himself a few minutes to recollect his sanity. When he called her, he realized he was taking a big chance but saw no other options. He needed a date, and she owed him. With their business relationship, he’d almost be guaranteed she’d go along with the charade without a hitch. Oh, she went along alright. He was in a shit storm of trouble on Monday.

She completely charmed everyone at the table. She wielded her razor wit and sarcasm with a polished edge of humor that his bosses adored. The women who initially stared with suspicion now seemed open and laughing. She encouraged them to ignore the calories and drink with her, and now Slade sat at a table with slightly intoxicated women. He worried Bob and Travis may think she pushed too far, but they seemed amused and delighted by their wives’ too-loud conversation and revelry.

Course after course of meat was served in an endless march of vegetarian hell—pork, lamb, steak, and chicken, all sliced lean, piping hot, and so fresh he would have sworn the farm was in the backyard. Each customer was given a place card, and when it was turned, the waiter swooped in and refilled plates and drinks. Slade couldn’t believe the massive appetite Kate exhibited, consistently roaring through plates and flipping her card so it became a running joke at the table.

His charade had completely backfired. Instead of fighting him, Kate threw herself into the role of accountant, citing her fake famous father who ruled the courthouses, and even promising Melody to get her out of a speeding ticket. What the hell? How was he going to explain this week when Bob couldn’t find her office, and Melody had no idea what court judge to go to? His temper stretched through each course while she relaxed, ate, drank, wrecked his life, and lied her way with enjoyment.