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She gives me a wink, then turns to Emma. “My sweet Emma.”

“Hi, Dotty.” They exchange a hug. “How’s that handsome husband of yours?”

Emma blushes. “He’s fine.”

It’s funny how Emma still blushes at the mention of Sam’s name. Sam is the same way. He likes to act tough, but when you talk about Emma, he folds like a pretzel. Love is a beautiful thing. I suppose.

“When are you going to be done with matchmaking others and focus on yourself?” Aunt Dotty turns to me again. “You should enjoy this love you share generously with people.”

“I’m good.” I roll my eyes. “I’m already surrounded by love.” I glance pointedly at her and Emma. “Love doesn’t have to be romantic.”

“Hmm, hmm.” Aunt Dotty scoffs. Soon, we shift the convention into our book club, where I confess I haven’t read the book of the month. Aunt Dotty implores me to read it before our next meeting. Then she’s off, saying she has to meet Riley at the hardware store.

She’s barely gone when another whirlwind drifts into my store in the form of my mother.

I groan so loud that her brows pull down in a giant frown.

“You’re back in town, and your mother is the last person to find out?”

“Hi, Mom.”

“Don’t ‘hi mom’ me,” she snaps and then turns to Emma with the sweetest smile. “My darling. How are you?”

The two of them exchange a hug. Then Emma decides it’s time to leave, leaving me alone with my mother.

“Mom, I texted you I was coming before my flight took off.”

“But you didn’t tell me you were in town.” She stops at my desk. “Are you so grown now you don’t need your mother anymore?”

I can’t help but smile a little, even though I know I’m in trouble. “I’m sorry, Mom,” I say, raising my hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

“Of course, you didn’t.” She inches close. “So what was the meeting about?”

“Um…” I haven’t told my mom about my new job, for obvious reasons.

“You know Jack Calloway?” I ask, knowing very well she doesn’t know him. My parents are kind of old-fashioned. They only watch the news.

“Who is he?”

“He’s just a guy,” I answer. “So he’s in a really weird situation right now and on the verge of losing his job…”

“Oh, what did he do?”

Good question, Mom! What did he do? Because Jack has done a lot. For sleeping with a married woman, he kind of deserves this, but I don’t know.

“I have to find him a suitable match and help him find love so his fans can see that he’s changed.”

“I don’t get it.”

“I know, it’s all very complicated.” I take her hands. “Don’t worry your head about it, Mom.”

“Hold on.” She frowns. “What Idoget out of this is that you’re matchmaking someone. Is that right?”

“Yes… but for business…”

She gasps, as dramatic as she can be. “What did Lily ever do to you? You don’t want to help her.”

I groan again. “Mom… I already agreed to help. Why are we still on this?”