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Hailey was right.

The walk-in clients who were watching the photo shoot outside their office and noticed that a hot hockey player was searching for a partner on Match Me! were literally beating down their door.

It didn’t cost a lot to register on their website, if you didn’t want personal advice and exclusive support. Still, within a few hours, they made as much money as they had in the last six months. Yes, this showed how little they had earned thus far, but it was also a great upswing!

Most of the women stayed, probably hoping to catch Matt and introduce themselves to him personally.

Their new star was being miked for the TV interview that would be aired live on ESPN.

A small crowd soon formed around them, completely blocking the promenade.

Everyone could go around them across the beach, though, so it wasn’t too bad.

Nevertheless, Maddie would have preferred to speak to Matt before the interview and go over what he wanted to say.

Matt could be incredibly charming and was always friendly and courteous, but sometimes, he said things like, “What was the name of the woman I slept with earlier?” or “Oh, please. The phrase ‘spiritual kinship’ is super sick because it actually means you’re committing incest!

” Now, though, the ESPN people were too close for her to whisper to him how he should convince everyone he was seeking true love – even if he didn’t believe in it.

She had no choice but to nervously shift from one foot to the other and think about everything that could go wrong.

“Relax, Maddie,” Hailey said, wrapping her arm around her. “Really, this is already great! We have a chance of finally getting out of the hole.”

Frowning, Lucy looked up abruptly and glanced from one to the other. “What hole?”

Maddie’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, nothing,” she said quickly, earning a dirty look from Hailey.

“We’re having some financial problems,” Hailey stated bluntly.

“Hailey!” Maddie whispered sharply.

“It’s true. I’ve had financial problems my whole life, so it’s not hard for me to say it. Unlike you, apparently.”

Her sister stared at her, her mouth gaping. “You said the agency was doing great!” she said, stunned.

“Well, it is…”

Hailey cleared her throat audibly.

“…now,” she whispered.

“Madison!” Lucy hissed.

Oh, great. She was using her full first name. “Yeah, okay, it has been difficult,” she said in a hushed voice. “That’s why this was so important today.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? I’m a marketing professional, Maddie. I could have helped you.”

She swallowed. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

“ You always worry about everyone !”

Yes, and she preferred it that way. She didn’t like spreading bad vibes. Her father was there for that. She just liked it when everyone was happy. And they couldn’t be if she was constantly burdening them with her worries!

“It hasn’t been that bad,” she insisted. “If I had really needed help, I would have asked.”

Another loud snort from Hailey.

“I agree with Hailey,” Lucy replied unhappily. “Maddie, I want to be there for you, okay? You already do so much for the family. You take care of Dad more than any of us because I’m on the road a lot and Rachel isn’t here, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share your problems with me!”

Maddie simply nodded. She understood, but Lucy was so happy right now. Their mother’s death had been hard on everyone. Telling anyone something was going terribly wrong in her life only made everything so much worse. It spread the burden to her entire family.

With Matt, it was different. Nothing could throw him off balance. His life was so carefree that the burden of her life didn’t affect him. Matt never felt sorry for her. He’d even made fun of her when she was sitting crying on the flooded kitchen floor.

So, with him, it was okay. But with the others, she didn’t want to be the whining Maddie that everyone had to take care of, who was becoming a problem like her father.

Clemens had always said that life was better when you complained less and focused on the good things, which was true.

So, she stayed positive, talked to Hailey about her problems because she was her business partner, cried to Matt… and left her family out of it.

“Lucy, everything’s fine,” she said in an encouraging tone. “If it had been serious, I would have talked to you. But, right now, things are going great.”

Unsatisfied, Lucy pressed her lips together, but let it go.

“I’ll get some more flyers,” Hailey said lightly. “For people who are undecided!”

She hurried back to Match Me! and slipped through the door. Unfortunately, Eggsy took the opportunity to wander outside, swinging her curious chicken head from side to side.

“Oh, crap,” Maddie whispered. “I have to grab our chicken.”

Lucy laughed, although her eyes were still strangely serious. “No problem, I’m recording the interview live on Instagram, so I’m busy anyway.”

Lucy fought her way through the crowd to the other side where she had a better view while Maddie crept over to Eggsy. The chicken cackled angrily when it saw her coming and skittered a few more steps away from the entrance.

Sighing, Maddie slid after it while the ESPN reporter announced the interview on camera. If she carried Eggsy back into the office now, she would walk right through the frame. She’d probably be better off just holding her in her arms until the whole thing was over.

Carefully, she lifted the fat, brown chicken into her arms. The hen immediately snuggled comfortably against her chest – this bird had a lot of dog in it! – then focused on Matt and the journalist speaking to each other not three feet away.

“…not known for talking much about your love life, Mr. Payne. What encouraged you to make an exception now?”

Maddie’s shoulders stiffened. He wouldn’t reply my best friend practically forced me to do it , would he?

“Oh, I don’t talk much about my love life because there’s not much to talk about! Besides, I’m a hockey player. Why would we Hawks talk about anything other than the game we love?” He lowered his voice. “Although, my mother has complained about it many times.”

The crowd and the reporter laughed.

“That still doesn’t explain why you’re suddenly announcing to the whole world that you’re seeking true love.”

Matt glanced at her and, uncomfortable, scratched the back of his neck.

“I…” he began hesitantly and shifted his weight.

“I think everyone longs for a little more love in their lives. And no one should be embarrassed about searching for it, right? No one. Many men are afraid of appearing weak if they admit they’re looking for a life partner.

Even more so if they have to admit that they can’t find someone on their own, and I think that’s nonsense.

Who likes being alone and who doesn’t need help now and then?

If I can help these people who are afraid to take the next step on their journey to love feel better with this interview, then I’m happy to do it. ”

Maddie’s throat constricted and her cheeks flushed. That was…perfect. The many women around her going awww confirmed that. Matt had this ability to make people feel like they were exactly right, no matter how much self-doubt they might have.

“So, why did you choose Match Me!?” the reporter continued.

“Oh, to be honest,” he smiled wryly, “the owner is a friend of mine and she’s been pestering me to join for months so I can finally meet my soul mate.

” He grinned at Maddie, who put a hand over her face.

It was okay, though; it was better than someone finding out afterward that they knew each other.

“But until now…until now, I’ve never felt ready, you know?

For anything serious. For…I guess, the right one . For the big forever.”

Maddie opened her mouth and pressed Eggsy tighter against her chest.

“But now you are?” the journalist wanted to know.

Something changed in Matt’s eyes. Now his smile had something mysterious about it. And the way he hesitated… “I believe so.”

Maddie’s heart clenched.

Was he serious? Or was he acting? She couldn’t tell the difference anymore!

Matt inhaled deeply, ran a hand through his hair, and added, “You know, it’s easy to find something casual. Dating is fun, no question. But lately, it’s not enough for me.”

Maddie’s fingers slid into Eggsy’s plumage as his words fired into her stomach like bullets.

“But, as a public figure, I find it rather difficult to distinguish the women who are just after my money from those who are serious — and who’d be able to cope with my lifestyle.

I need help with that." He shrugged. “Besides, I’m so tired of swiping screens that treat people like merchandise for sale. That’s why I prefer to do it in person rather than online.

Love is an intimate thing, isn’t it? Besides, Maddie can tell at a glance whether someone is compatible or not.

Whether someone is right for someone or not.

” He nodded in her direction and smiled.

“No app or those huge dating agencies can do that. They don’t personally look after each of their clients.

Apart from that, Match Me! has an incredible questionnaire that goes beyond the superficial stuff.

You can truly see how important it is to them to find exactly the right person.

So, maybe my dream woman will be standing right in front of me in a few weeks.

Who knows!” He smiled, nodding confidently. ..and Maddie felt dizzy.

What was he saying? Was he acting or…or did he honestly want a serious relationship?

That couldn’t be. Matt wasn’t up for anything serious. He didn’t want to marry and have children. That was the reason why she…why she…

The blood whooshed loudly in her head and she clenched her hands — but she had forgotten that she was still carrying a chicken in her arms.