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I lifted my hands in an unsure gesture. “I mean, as ready as I can be. I’ve never actually been to a speed dating event, but I read up on it as much as I could.”

“It’s really easy,” Gemma assured me, reaching the elevator doors and punching the button. “And Scarlet has donethem before, so she’ll help you. Although, I’m still bummed we aren’t going out for Chinese tonight.” She sighed. “Goodbye rangoons. It’s probably worth it if you’re getting experience, though.”

I couldn’t help but feel like Janice, our boss, was slightly punishing me by assigning me this speed dating event. Originally, another matchmaker—Tess—had been in charge of the event, but she’d called in sick today. I’d assumed Janice would ask the capable, experienced Gemma in her stead, but she’d called me to handle it. I knew less about speed dating than I knew about actual dating. And I had never dated anyone before.

Well… mostly.

I wasn’t sure the painful, pseudo-relationship I’d been in seven months ago counted, but then again, I clearly didn’t understand relationships as a whole if my track record was any indication.

I glanced over my shoulder at the client who was waiting patiently for Olivia to pull something up on her computer. His back was broad and toned, and as he leaned on his elbows, I noted that he had to fold his tall frame into a hunch to reach the desk.Well, he won’t have a problem finding a match,I thought in amusement. I turned back to Gemma. “Either it’ll go great, and I’ll call you…”

“… or you’ll bomb, and you’ll call me,” Gemma finished with a grin. She gasped suddenly. “Wait, I have a dress I need to take to the dry cleaners.”

The elevator beeped happily, and the doors slid open.I held out my hand to cover the sensor on one side. “Do you want me to wait?”

“No, no,” Gemma turned and fast-walked away, shouting across the widening distance as she went. “Just go and I’ll meet you there!”

“Gem!” I shouted back, but she wasn’t listening and scurried across the bright lobby and off to the right where her office was located. I glanced nervously at the client who still stood at the counter. Did he need the elevator? If I held the door, would he think that was weird? It seemed stupid to go to the cafe without Gemma.

“I’m so sorry for the wait,” Olivia smiled at the client. “It looks like Dr. Coldwell has stepped out for a break.” Olivia’s dark eyes flitted to me over the stranger’s shoulder nervously before returning to him.

I froze. With renewed interest, I took in the stranger who had apparently asked to see me. Even from several feet away, I could tell that he was well-built with long legs, a trim waist, and toned biceps that strained against the sage green linen of his button-down.

When he turned, I caught a glimpse of his profile, andJesus. He was hot. Really hot. His sun-kissed skin perfectly complimented the dark bronze of his swooping, soft hair, and his strong, square jaw ticked with annoyance as he digested what Olivia had said.

“Do you know when she will be back?” His voice lashed through the air like a silk lasso. Full and rich, it wrapped aroundmy skin and brought goosebumps to my arms. Somehow, I doubted this person wanted to see me because they wanted to thank me for my incredible matchmaking skills. And that meant I’d screwed up. Again.

Olivia was an excellent receptionist. She was kind and welcoming, and often her demeanor put clients at ease and made them feel confident about using our services. However, she didn’t have a subtle bone in her body. Her dark brown eyes skated past the man to me again. I made a “kill” gesture with my hand, signaling to her to not give me away. After lingering on me a touch too long, she said to him, “I’m not sure.”

He rotated a look at me slowly. Vibrant green eyes latched onto my startled expression, and then his eyelids cinched together. “Is that right?”

Oh hell,I thought with a mental screech of frustration. I stared at him for a beat, and the air between us charged with a current of energy like the crackle of electricity before a lightning storm. It stole my breath and tingled across the raised hairs on my arms. He looked completely pissed.

I considered my options for a split second, and then I settled on the only logical strategy. I whirled into the elevator and punched the “close” button. He pushed away from the desk, crossing the distance with shockingly long strides. I mashed the button faster, but it was no use. Just as the doors began to close, the stranger slipped his lithe, tall body between them to corner me in the elevator. The doors snicked shut just as he loomed over me with folded arms and a thunderous expression.

Which was kind of funny, because all things considered, helookeddownright sunny. With a spatter of freckles across his nose and cheeks, long, light eyelashes, and glowing skin, this man looked like joy personified. His anger seemed more like a passing cloud on an otherwise clear day, although that didn’t make his ire any less intimidating. The scent of coconut and sunscreen filled my nose as I inhaled sharply and pressed my back against the wall. He gave me a speculative glower. “Dr. Coldwell?”

I could deny it. I could lie through my teeth and escape as soon as those doors opened in ten seconds. But with deflated resignation, I realized that if he really was an upset client, I needed to hear him out. At the very least, maybe I could learn something from whatever mistake I had clearly made here. “Yes,” I said tightly.

The man stared me down. “I’d like a word about whatever abysmal software you’re using to match people in this sham of an operation.”

My jaw dropped. “Software? Kiss-Met doesn’t use software. We handpick matches for our clients, and I assure you, each of our matchmakers—”except me“—are well qualified to find ideal partners for our customers.”

“That’s worse,” he replied, his brows tilting with a touch of incredulity. “You’re telling me that you purposefully matched me with my sister’s ex-wife?”

Sister’s…ex-wife? It took me a full three seconds to actually digest what he had told me. I stared at his furious expression,completely dumbfounded. “I matched you with—”

“—my gay sister’s ex-wife who is bi, yes.” He paused, eyes roving over my bewildered expression. “My God. You really didn’t know.”

My hand covered my open mouth, but I couldn’t seem to formulate words. It was too horrifying.This is it, I thought with lead in my stomach.This is rock bottom. I was duped, dumped, abandoned, and now I’m failing miserably at life in every other respect. It cannot possibly get worse.

I remembered this man suddenly—well, his profile, anyway.DoctorCallum Reed was accomplished, charming, and came from a loving household. I knew that because his parents had been trying to get him to come into the agency for weeks, and when he’d finally relented, I’d set him up on a blind date with…

I closed my eyes. “Oh my God.”

“That’s what you have to say?” he asked blandly. “'Oh my God?’”

“I’m sorry” seemed inadequate, but it was the only thing I could think to add. So, I whispered it, hand still on my mouth, face flaming, and eyes on his black tennis shoes.