“Maybe Bravo will finally give us a show instead of The Millionaire Matchmaker?”

Kate laughed. “No, thanks. All I need is the world focused on why the owner and head matchmaker can’t seem to keep a relationship. Hell, I can’t even get to date three. It’s the curse.”

Kennedy rolled her eyes and examined her cuticles. Her rich dark hair sparkled with subtle caramel highlights. “This drama again? Your family’s not cursed. Your mom was happily married until your dad passed, and she never lacks for a date. You’re just stubborn.”

“I’m past sad and diving into pathetic. My last date was a nightmare. I set him up with the busboy and now they’re happy.”

“You did it again? Girlfriend, what is it with you and restaurants? You drove Paul into the waitress’s arms last week.”

Kate guzzled the water and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I have no choice. When she handed me the menu, I got the sizzle thing and saw how they looked at each other. They were perfect together. I needed to be the bigger woman.”

“He was a gorgeous doctor who wanted to settle down. Next time, be selfish. Setting them up for a late-night drink was creepy, Kate. And you didn’t even charge him!”

Gloominess hovered. “I know. Sorry. Anyway, I made a decision. No more dating. I’m done.”

Her friend tapped her foot against the polished floor. “Don’t be ridiculous, we’ll go bankrupt if our poster child is the crazy cat lady. Or dog lady, in this case. Maybe you can start wearing gloves. That’ll stop your impulses.”

“And look like an OCD germaphobe? No thanks. Madonna and Michael Jackson are the only ones who sported that look, and I have no wish to morph back to the eighties.”

Kennedy shuddered. “Yeah, you’re right. The fashion was a complete crime against humanity. And the hair.”

On cue, the bell chimed again and the third member of their crew floated in. Arilyn Meadow was the symbol of a walking fashion disaster Kennedy worked hard to transform. Unfortunately, their friend was quite happy and centered living in organic cotton, yoga pants, and animal-free dyes, which excluded most makeup. “Hi, guys. What are you talking about?”

Kennedy gave her a pointed look. “What not to wear.”

Arilyn laughed. The delicate sound matched her soothing voice, perfect for her counseling career with their clients. She was a flower child stuck in today’s society, but still managed to turn heads with her hip-length strawberry blond hair and soulful green eyes.

Kate looked at her friends and down at her usual outfit. Black pants, black tee, jacket, and boots. It was easy, professional, and comfortable. One clotheshorse was enough in the group, and Kennedy pounced on any designer items she could snatch up for a deal.

Odd, the three of them were so different, yet the moment they all connected in college, it was as if they were meant to be together always. Like a family. Completely dysfunctional. In a good way.

Kate spent most of her life running from her family gift/curse and trying various jobs that never worked out. Something always seemed unsettling, as if she wasn’t meant to be there, so it was easy to move on to the next project. But when her friends grouped all their skills and backgrounds together, the idea of a matchmaking service in their town took root and flowered. Plenty of nasty thorns and weeds along the way, of course. But Kate could honestly say they had found their foundation and Kinnections was growing fast.

Kennedy used her talents as the main social events coordinator. She ran all the events and functions within the company, handled makeovers, and was in charge of all marketing. Arilyn used her degree in counseling to carve out a niche as relationship advisor, meeting with all the clients to deepen their experiences and counsel them on a variety of issues holding them back from love.

Good thing she had the touch, or she’d probably end up being the weak link in the group. Of course, she preferred to complete a match based on a variety of their services rather than a random shock along the way. Other than her partners and family, no one knew about her secret, and she intended to keep it that way. The moment news of a witchlike skill went public, they’d be stalked by the press and discredited in their own town.

She shook off her thoughts and leaned her hip against the desk. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

Kennedy ticked off the items on her mental list. “I have makeover screenings with two of our clients. Need to meet with the Purple Haze bar about our next cocktail party. Then I’m jumping out early for my date.”

Kate raised a brow. “Anyone good?”

“We shall see.”

“Did you find him through Kinnections?”

“Nope. I did this on my own and damn proud of it.”

Arilyn sighed. “First dates are so rich with hope and intention.”

Kate snorted. “And awkwardness, drama, and disappointment.”

“Remember the code. Never use negative energy when speaking about dating. It could leak back into our company.”

Kate would have liked to laugh off her friend’s comments but learned early that Arilyn’s sense of positive vibes was key for success. Maybe they were all witches after all. “Sorry. What do you have going on?”

Arilyn stretched her long arms out and flexed her fingers. “Counseling Gary on his social fears. Then I need to work on some of the computer programs and update our client base. Some of our clients made connections with profiles they found interesting and want a phone call arranged.”

It always amazed her that Arilyn had the brain of a geek god when it came to computers, tucked neatly behind her holistic image. It was a lethal combination that drove Kinnections to compete with some of the high-profile match agencies.

“Sounds good. I have a light load also, so maybe I’ll catch up on the endless paperwork and get out of here on time tonight.”

They floated to their respective offices. Kate tried to concentrate on paperwork and not think about Slade Montgomery. Instinct urged her to take the chance on a lawsuit because the man radiated danger. But she’d never been a coward, and she wasn’t about to start now.

No problem.

She’d handle him.

three

KATE WATCHED HER new client shrug off his jacket and take a seat in the chic plum chair. He glanced around the room, taking note of the clean lines and soothing decor. Arilyn had taken control with decorating Kinnections, choosing to pair tones that enhanced the heart chakra and encouraged openness and connection. The layout consisted of bold purple and violets, pewter and silver accents, and luxurious fabrics and textures. The counseling room boasted both chairs and sofas, with plump slate-colored pillows, bamboo plants, and a calming water fountain with flat rocks lining the base. The desk was small and tucked in the corner of the square room. Today was about bonding with the client, learning likes and dislikes, and formulating a dating plan.

She couldn’t believe he’d actually shown up. A deep suspicion gnawed at her bones, which was going to make working together difficult. A sense of belief and vulnerability were needed in order for her to figure out what he really wanted and guide him in the right direction. Instead, two emotions warred for dominance. Distrust.

And lust.

She pitied his clients. The man was all muscle and towering length, easily topping six four with massive shoulders, and a tight chest clearly shown through his white dress shirt. He didn’t just walk, he prowled. His tawny locks were a mass of thick messy waves her fingers itched to touch, and those jungle-green eyes pinned a woman to the wall and did bad things to her. The gold frames of his glasses only accented his gaze. Probing, heating, diving deep without apology or politeness. He’d be deadly in a courtroom, mesmerizing the jurors and dominating the judge. Finding women wasn’t part of his problem. Neither was getting them in bed. She’d bet once dawn broke over the horizon, he was long gone and there was little morning playtime.

Somehow, he reminded her of Matthew McConaughey from one of her guilty-pleasure movies, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. His long face and craggy features were cut to inspire women to rip off their clothes, and his strong presence lit up a room. But he had an arrogance that cloaked him, as if he were above love and emotion and messiness. Above the poor humans he shared the pavement with.

That was the part that pissed her off.

Kate swore to break through that armor by the time she found him love. Then he’d be ready.

“That look is scaring the hell out of me.”

He crossed one ankle comfortably over his knee. His leather Italian loafers and cashmere socks told her he enjoyed his money and wore it well. The tight design of his navy blue suit screamed Calvin Klein. His tie was conservative pinstripe for his occupation, but her instinct screamed that there was an untamed wildness in his core desperate to come out. She scratched a note on her pad for a reminder when she was looking for a good match. “What look?”

He cocked his head and his lip quirked. She fought to keep her gaze from studying the sensual curve of his mouth and the fullness of his lower lip. “Like you’re about to dive into a project and get dirty.”

The word dirty buzzed in her ears and stroked between her legs. Mother of God, was she wet? She clenched her thighs and thought of war-strewn countries. Hungry children. Puppies trapped in animal shelters. Much better. Kate decided there was only one way to move forward without losing her mind. Show him who was boss.