Page 1 of Love in Full Bloom (Zaftig Ever After #2)

CHAPTER ONE

MATCHMAKERS’ LOG

I adjust my glasses and scan the client profile one more time, trying to find the thread—that magical connection point that might bring two strangers together. Krissa leans over my shoulder, her cherry-red lips pursed in concentration.

"Ben Thompson," I read aloud. "Landscape architect. His sister Leah says he's married to his career."

"Aren't they all?" Krissa drops into the chair beside me, the full skirt of her vintage dress billowing around her. "What's his deal? Commitment issues? Bad breakup? Secret collection of garden gnomes?"

I flip through his questionnaire. "None of the above, apparently. Just genuinely loves his work creating gardens for people. His sister says he loses track of time when he's designing outdoor spaces."

"A man passionate about beauty. I can work with that." Krissa taps a perfectly manicured nail against her chin. "What's he look like?"

I slide the photo across our shared desk. Ben Thompson stares back at us—tall, broad-shouldered, with tousled blond hair that looks perpetually windswept. His smile reaches his eyes, creating little crinkles at the corners that speak of days spent working under the sun.

"Well, hello there, Mr. Green Thumb." Krissa fans herself dramatically. "Those hands look like they know what they're doing."

"Focus, please." I try to sound stern but can't help smiling. "His sister says he needs someone who understands his creative drive but might help him remember there's more to life than work."

Krissa straightens in her chair, suddenly all business. "Let me see the potentials."

I pull up our database. "I've narrowed it down to three, but I keep coming back to this one." I tap Jasmine Carter's profile. "Visual artist, specializes in floral paintings. There's something about the symmetry of their work that feels right."

"Ooh, she's pretty." Krissa studies Jasmine's photo—a curvy woman with striking auburn hair and expressive hazel eyes. "What's her story?"

"Talented but doubts herself. Her art sells well at local galleries, but she's always worried people find her work 'too whimsical.

'" I make air quotes with my fingers. "I met her last week for coffee.

She has this way of lighting up when she talks about color theory that reminds me of how I felt when Gage first—" I catch myself and feel heat rise to my cheeks.

"When Gage first what?" Krissa's eyebrows waggle suggestively.

"Never mind." I clear my throat. "The point is, she's passionate too. And I think someone who appreciates beauty in nature might appreciate how she captures it on canvas."

"Garden Boy and Flower Painter." Krissa claps her hands together. "It's almost too perfect. Like they could start a business together making those fancy garden books."

I roll my eyes but smile. "Let's not marry them off before they've even met."

"Speaking of meeting..." Krissa pulls out her planner. "Where and when?"

"The community arts festival this weekend? Jasmine will have a booth there showing her work. I could suggest to Ben that he might find inspiration for his designs."

"Perfect!" Krissa scribbles something in her planner. "I'll take Ben, you take Jasmine. We'll coordinate by text."

"Do you think it's strange that a landscape architect doesn't like flowers?" I ask, reading a note from his sister.

"What? Let me see that." Krissa snatches the paper from my hand. "'Ben appreciates structural plants but isn't big on florals—prefers foliage texture and form over showy blooms.'" She looks up at me with wide eyes. "That's like a chef who doesn't like flavor!"

I laugh. "Maybe he just hasn't met the right flower yet."

"Or the right flower painter." Krissa winks. "Trust me, once he sees Jasmine's work—and Jasmine—he'll change his tune."

"You seem awfully confident."

"Honey, I'm always confident. That's why our clients pay us the big bucks." She stands and straightens her pencil skirt. "Plus, did you see those forearms in his photo? The man works with his hands all day. He's practically romance novel material."

I shake my head, smiling. "You're terrible."

"I'm right, though." She points at Jasmine's profile. "Look at her notes—'sometimes feels invisible in crowded rooms.' A woman that beautiful, feeling invisible? She deserves someone who really sees her."

"And you think Ben's that someone?"

Krissa's expression softens. "I think two people who create beauty deserve to find it in each other. Don't you?"

When she puts it that way, I can't argue. I make a note in our shared calendar: Ben Thompson + Jasmine Carter. Community Arts Festival. Operation: Bloom & Grow.

I just hope they're both ready to plant something new.

Zaftig Dating Agency Intake Form

Name: Ben Thompson

Occupation: Landscape architect known for creating stunning, personalized garden designs

Referred By: His sister, who insists he needs someone special in his life to complement his dedication to work

Notes: Ben is passionate about his craft and finds joy in nature, but has been too focused on his career to pursue romance

Name: Jasmine Carter

Occupation: Visual artist who specializes in vibrant floral paintings

Notes: She struggles with self-doubt about being perceived as "too whimsical" but has a big heart and a creative spirit

Meeting Location: The upcoming community arts festival in the local park