Page 17

Eggsy cackled loudly and angrily. The chicken suddenly started flapping her wings before pecking at Maddie’s arm with her beak. Startled, Maddie let go of her…and she flew straight toward Matt and into the picture.

Matt and the reporter staggered back in shock. Eggsy’s wing grazed Matt's injured eye and knocked the microphone out of the reporter’s hand. Ohh and Agh went the crowd as they moved back.

“Oh my God!” Maddie shouted and jumped forward. “Are you okay? Sorry!” She quickly fished the microphone off the ground and pressed it into the reporter’s hand before inspecting Matt’s swollen eye.

“Um, we’re still live,” the cameraman murmured.

The journalist immediately put on a smile.

“Speak of the devil!” he said loudly. “This is Madison James, one of the two owners of Match Me!. The woman with the magic touch for love. Was that your chicken?” He winked at her.

Matt grinned broadly and her head tried to disguise itself as a traffic light.

Oh, God. Live. They were live. “Um, yes,” she said in a squeaky voice. “This is Eggsy. Basically…our mascot. I’m so sorry, she doesn’t like being told what to do and what not to do. She’s a lot like Matt in that respect.”

Matt snorted and the reporter and some in the crowd chuckled loudly.

“Well, he did take your advice and sign up with you!” the ESPN guy said.

“He’s stubborn, but he’s also smart,” she said and cleared her throat.

More laughter.

“But is he right? Is it true that you have an eye for what fits and doesn’t fit on a human level? And is your questionnaire truly that good?”

“Um, I…yes,” she stammered, her face still red-hot, uncertain how to answer when she felt light pressure above her waist. Matt’s hand rested reassuringly on the small of her back.

She inhaled deeply and tried to smile. She was not alone.

“I designed it together with my sister, who is a distinguished couples’ therapist. It can determine exactly how compatible you are in terms of values and beliefs about life.

I think that’s incredibly important when it comes to serious relationships. ”

“So, it’s better to come by in person rather than using your website?”

“Our website is good and oftentimes, it will probably be sufficient to look for a partner. It doesn’t matter if you’re heterosexual or LGBTQ+, by the way.

Everyone has a right to love! However, if you’re a public figure and have the same problems as Matt, it can be easier if I get a personal idea of your expectations and requirements for a relationship.

And...well, as you can see, we have a chicken in the office,” she finally added weakly.

“So, it’s definitely worth it to stop by. ”

The journalist smiled broadly and looked back at the camera. “You heard it! Match Me! is for everyone. So come by or sign up on their website. There’s currently a twenty-five percent discount if you enter discount code Matt! ”

That was Hailey’s idea. And, judging by the general ahs , a good one.

“So, Mr. Payne, good luck with your endeavor. We’re all excited.” Then, the camera went off.

Exhausted and relieved, Maddie collapsed. “My goodness, I had no idea what I was asking of you,” she whispered to Matt, who merely chuckled softly.

“That was great, guys!” the reporter announced enthusiastically. “Man, that chicken, fantastic! Was that planned?” He looked at Maddie curiously.

“No. That was just luck.” Or sheer stupidity.

The ESPN guy laughed boisterously. “Great accident. People love it when things go wrong during live interviews. So, thanks for everything! Good luck to you.” As soon as he and the cameraman had packed up, people started pushing forward. Wait, actually, the women were swarming Matt.

Maddie was shoved aside as they all told him how great they thought it was that he wanted to find the right one this way. They slipped him phone numbers, touched his biceps, sighed, and told him how wonderful he was…

Something bitter filled her mouth. Had she swallowed a fly?

She coughed and narrowed her eyes. Matt knew he was great! He didn’t need anyone telling him that.

No, the whole thing was far too intrusive. Plus, they were blocking the way and she had promised Matt that it wouldn’t be awkward, yet this was awkward, wasn’t it?

“Okay, everyone, just sign up and we can test your compatibility,” she called out loudly and shouldered her way through the crowd. “Feel free to grab a flyer from my colleague, Hailey. Don’t forget the discount. Unfortunately, Mr. Payne and I still have some things to discuss.”

She smiled kindly at the disappointed-looking women, then roughly grabbed Matt by the arm and pulled him toward the office.

“Mr. Payne?” he murmured in her ear.

Goosebumps scurried down her neck. Had the wind picked up? “Yes. It’s called being professional.”

He laughed as they entered and she carefully shut the door. “Obviously. But okay. What do you want to discuss?”

She glanced up, surprised. “Nothing. I wanted to save you from them.”

“Ah, from all those willing, pretty women?” he said, grinning. “Yes, thank you. Mighty nice of you.”

“So, you weren’t serious?” The fist that had been tightening around her heart for the past ten minutes immediately loosened its grip a little. Why did she feel so relieved?

“Serious about what?”

“Well, that you’re ready for a real relationship. Tired of dating.” She let out a burst of air. “I know it was just an act, but you almost fooled me.” She laughed.

“Hm,” Matt muttered, frowning. Her laughter faded immediately.

“What, hm? ”

He shrugged. “I know we were just acting and whatnot, but I think there was a bit of truth to it. That I’m tired of dating.” He raised his eyebrows as if it surprised him. “I felt bad when I couldn’t remember Jennifer’s name. Like I wasn’t me anymore. I was some complete idiot. Dax, maybe.”

She had to laugh even though his words constricted her throat. “You’re not as bad as Dax used to be.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to be like that at all!” He rubbed his face. “I’m a good guy. Obviously, I love sex, but it can’t be everything, right? So, yeah.” He squared his shoulders and peered into her face. “So, find me a match.”

She laughed again. Nervously this time. “But…” She paused. “I didn’t think you ever wanted anything serious. Or kids. Or marriage.”

He frowned, irritated. “What made you think that?”

Hello? He had said, Oh shit! when she had first told him that she had those exact plans! “I simply assumed it,” she said, glancing away.

“Well, obviously, I wanted something more casual in recent years. But, I never ruled it out. I know that it’s harder for me than others. I haven’t been able to maintain relationships for long. Whether friendships or anything else.”

She blinked at him, irritated. He had never ruled it out? Why the hell didn’t she know? And what type of relationships had he not been able to maintain for long?

“Okay,” she murmured, smiling and smoothing her dress. “Then…okay. You…well, if you want, you can go now.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” He glanced outside. “I could also go chat a bit.”

“No!” burst out of her.

He looked at her with raised eyebrows. “What?”

Oh, God. “I’m merely saying that would be a waste of time because none of those women are right for you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

He raised one corner of his mouth. “You haven’t even had a proper conversation with them.”

“I don’t have to. I…don’t like the way they flock to you like moths to a flame. You want normal, don’t you? That’s not normal.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “There’s some truth to that. Well, then I’m curious to see who you choose for this date.”

She swallowed and nodded. “Yeah, maybe it’ll take me a while. So…you honestly want to go on a real date? It’s a lot of work for me and…”

Matt snorted in amusement. “It was your idea!”

“I know.”

“I’m doing it for you.”

“I know!”

“So what the hell is your problem?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice broke and she stared at the tips of her toes. She cleared her throat, then shook her head and looked up, smiling. “I mean I don’t have one! Obviously, you’ll get your date. Sorry, it was a bit much for me today. The cameras and everything. I’m not used to it.”

Matt looked at her, his eyes narrowing. “I see. That’s it? Did I say something wrong during the interview?”

No. He said the right things. That was the bad thing.

“No, it was fine.” She tried to make her voice sound normal and happy again. “Do what you want, Matt. Go ahead and talk to the women outside. Or go home.”

“Well, I have to go to practice anyway. I was only excused for this,” he muttered, looking out the office window where Lucy was standing tapping her wrist meaningfully.

“Was the interview all you hoped it would be? Did it help you?” He seemed almost unsure now and her heart grew heavy and fluttered strangely, which she didn’t understand at all.

“It was wonderful,” she whispered. “Really. Thank you, Matt. I owe you.”

He smiled warmly. “Nonsense. Cook for me again and we’ll call it even. Your food is damn good.”

She laughed when he left the office and she could breathe a little more freely again. She watched him leave, her hand pressed against her pounding heart.

What was wrong with her?