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Everything was different.

“He said what ?” Hailey asked, aghast.

“Yes.”

“But… What? No.”

“Yes!”

“But… What?”

“You’re repeating yourself, Hailey!”

“Well, yeah. Sorry. But what guy is that honest? Who would say that?”

“Well, Matt. Obviously.” The guy was crazy!

“But…” Hailey pulled a face. “Wasn’t it uncomfortable for him?”

“I don’t know, but there doesn’t seem to be much that makes him uncomfortable.”

“Was it uncomfortable for you ?” Hailey asked.

“The kiss?” she replied, perplexed, thinking – for the hundredth time! – about Matt’s lips.

Hailey widened her eyes. “Well, while we’re at it, I’ve been meaning to bring up the kiss! Though, actually, I meant about Matt’s confession, but hey, feel free to answer both!”

Maddie put her elbows on the table and her face in her hands.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I’m so confused.

” She hadn’t expected Matt to kiss her. She hadn’t expected to touch him in return or practically sit on top of him.

And she certainly hadn’t expected Matt to be so honest that he’d loudly announced to her that he’d been thinking about sex with her a lot over the last few days, just because she’d told him she hadn’t been immune to his charms!

Hailey was absolutely correct. Who would do something like that?

“Matt’s kisses are…confusing?” Hailey concluded, blinking.

Reluctantly, Maddie laughed. “No! He’s confusing. The kiss was…” …fantastic. “Well, it was surprising. And he’s a good kisser.”

“I knew it!” Hailey waggled her finger at her triumphantly.

“Of course, you knew,” she replied angrily, slapping her finger away. “He’s had so much practice it would be a shame if he wasn’t good at it.”

He had a lot of practice in other areas too. How were his skills in other areas?

“Oh my God, you’re thinking about having sex with him,” Hailey said, laughing.

Caught out, Maddie winced. “No, I’m not!”

“Yes, you are. Absolutely.” Hailey grinned wickedly. “The color of your face says it all.”

Maddie groaned loudly.

“Yep, that’s what you’d do if you were actually having sex with him.”

“Oh, shut up!” she replied angrily, rising. “I’m going outside for a minute. I need some air.”

“Do you get hot thinking about being alone with Matt in a bed?” Hailey asked innocently.

Maddie raised her middle finger as she walked to the door. Hailey was stupid — and wrong. She had already been alone with Matt and those handcuffs she had noticed next to his bed.

Hailey’s laugh followed her. “It’s okay, I’ll stop. But come back quick. The amount of work here is insane!”

Maddie just nodded and stepped onto the boardwalk.

November was drawing to a close and the temperature had dropped to the mid-fifties.

Most people were convinced that it never got cold in California, but when the sun hid behind a mass of clouds and a fresh wind blew in from the ocean…

Maddie regretted forgetting her jacket. Maybe she should turn around.

Hailey was right. She didn’t have time for a walk.

They were getting so many new inquiries that they were overwhelmed with work.

It was wonderful! They couldn’t have been happier about it.

Unfortunately, many people were also interested in what was going on with Matt and if he had already had his first date.

ESPN had even asked (twice!) if she would consider doing another interview about Matthew Payne’s search for love.

She understood. It was interesting! For better or for worse, she would have to find him a date. And then…then she had no idea what would happen.

The best thing, naturally, would be if Matt found his soul mate and the media aired exactly that.

Then it would prove that their agency worked.

But, if Maddie found his soul mate — then he had found his soul mate .

And who would she watch Gilmore Girls with if Matt only hung out with his girlfriend?

She frowned and wandered toward the ocean until her shoes sank into the sand.

He didn’t want to ruin their friendship.

She understood. He had apparently had bad experiences in his life and didn’t want to take risks with important relationships. And, of course, sex between friends was always a bad idea. Someone always got hurt and…

“Shit,” she whispered, pressing her hands to her pounding heart.

It was good that Matt had been honest, because she’s already been driving herself crazy with what the kiss was about.

At the same time, it was terrible that Matt had been so up-front about wanting her.

The thing was, she wanted him, too. He might have images in his head, but she was playing out whole scenarios.

What if they only had casual sex? Or what if they started a relationship?

What if they decided to try…and everything went wrong and they couldn’t stay friends?

What if they decided to try it…and it was wonderful and they were happy?

What if they tried it and she fell head over heels in love with her best friend — and after a few weeks, he told her that he only wanted something casual?

Or that he liked her, but she wasn’t the woman of his dreams, just the forbidden fruit that had turned him on for a short while?

No, Matt was right. It was far too risky. Friendships were forever. Relationships, not so much. Besides, she couldn’t bear having her heart broken by Matt.

She had barely survived Clemens, and Clemens hadn’t been her best friend, her confidant.

She flinched as her cell phone vibrated with a message.

She fully expected it to be Matt, that she had conjured him up with her thoughts. But the message was from Lucy.

Do you know what’s going on with Dax and Matt? Dax says he doesn’t want to talk to him until he apologizes. Matt says Dax can go to hell. Did one of them steal the other’s favorite puck?

Maddie sighed heavily, narrowed her eyes, and typed; I know what’s going on. But it’s their business, so I’d feel like a snitch if I told you. Ask Dax to tell you .

Mhmpf. Frustrating answer, Maddie! But fine. You know what, why don’t you come over for dinner sometime soon? I haven’t seen you in ages and then the boys can hash it out .

That wasn’t a bad idea. She missed her sister.

Sure. This week? Thursday, maybe, after the game? They’re playing at five, so they’ll be finished early, right? And invite someone else, otherwise, it’ll be awkward. Like we’re sending them on a blind date .

Deal. I’ll ask Jack. He needs more social contact. I’ll write you back with the details.

Maddie gave a thumbs-up, followed by a gif of a happy dog. She wanted Dax and Matt to get along. It would make them both happier.

She put the phone back in her pocket, took a deep breath, and turned back toward the office. A woman in a pristine gray pantsuit was approaching. With a start, Maddie recognized Ms. Geller, the music producer who had turned their services down a few weeks ago.

“Hey,” she said in surprise, and the multimillionaire turned to her. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you,” she replied calmly and nodded toward the window.

“Well, you found me,” she said warily. “What can I do for you?”

“I…” She cleared her throat. “I may have acted rashly when I turned down your offer.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”

“Yes. Well, I went on a few Love Triumph dates and the men were all nice and attractive, but…they lacked the substance I’m looking for.”

You don’t say! “I’m sorry,” she replied diplomatically.

“Yeah, I am, too. Anyway, I saw the report about you and I think I’d like to give Match Me! a try.”

Maddie’s heart fluttered excitedly and a yippee stuck in her throat, though she didn’t let it show.

That was rather difficult, since this was a big deal!

Geller was going to be an exclusive client, one of the ones who brought in big bucks – the ones who would benefit most from the agency, who needed the personal touch to find a suitable match.

“Come inside, Ms. Geller. I’m sure we can work something out and then we’ll get straight to work on your questionnaire. ”

Two hours later, the music producer had signed with them, filled out the questionnaire, and discussed with Maddie in detail what she was searching for and what precisely she could do without.

After Geller departed, Maddie and Hailey just wordlessly stared at each other for two minutes. Then, they jumped up, fell into each other’s arms, and shrieked.

“That’s so much money!” Hailey whispered.

“She thought the elementary school teacher was promising!” Maddie whispered back.

“God, we’re good.”

“Matt is good!”

“He is, too,” Hailey said. “But Match Me! is our baby and it’s finally going through puberty!”

“Ew, parents should never say that.”

Hailey laughed and let go of her. “You’re probably right. But shit, Maddie, this is a big deal!”

“I know!”

“Thank Matt for me, okay? He saved our asses.”

Yes, she knew that, too. “I’ll tell him,” she promised.

“Wonderful. Is it okay if I take a quick lunch break now? I have something important to do.”

Maddie grinned. “It’s four o’clock, a bit late for a lunch break. Does the important thing happen to have four legs?”

Hailey grinned. “If I don’t walk the dogs at the shelter, no one will, Maddie!”

“All right,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You deserve it. I’ll take over from here.”

“I’ll catch up tonight!”

“Go on, Hailey.”

“Thanks.” Hailey pressed a wet kiss to her cheek, not unlike one of her four-legged friends might do. “And, Maddie, everything will be fine. With us. And Match Me!”

Maddie smiled broadly. “I think so, too.”

Hailey disappeared out the door. Maddie turned back to entering the rest of Ms. Geller’s data into the algorithm. She had such a strong hunch about her and Sam Cho, the elementary school teacher. The program spat out eighty-seven percent. Man, her intuition was really good.

Speaking of matchmaking, she owed Matt a date.

She owed him so much, the least she could do was find him a promising woman, even though the mere thought bothered her.

Maddie pulled her keyboard closer. She could easily fill out the questionnaire for Matt and would probably answer it more honestly than he would.

For example, Matt was convinced that he was interested in any kind of film and series — but in truth, he only watched random action flicks, Game of Thrones, and Gilmore Girls.

He also thought that he would always prioritize work over his personal life…

but he had already been late for a game – and had received a fine for three thousand dollars – just for carrying a second-hand dresser into her apartment.

She had offered to pay him, but he had laughed for about thirty minutes before he finally shook his head and said, “You saved the dresser, let me pay my debts.”

So, that thing about his job wasn’t necessarily true, either. His job wasn’t always his top priority.

She prepared everything for Matt and, while she was at it, signed herself up at Match Me!. She was officially starting Mission Prince Charming. Matt was right. They cared too much for each other to ruin their friendship with something stupid like sex. He didn’t want that, and neither did she.

She took a deep breath. So, who was the perfect partner for Matt?

An hour later, she had the answer.

“Christina Henley!” she announced to Matt on the phone.

“No, no,” he answered patiently. “Matthew Payne. Remember?”

She laughed…which made the next words even more difficult. She had to be brave, though. “Christina Henley is your date! The day after tomorrow. You have Wednesday off, right? And we’re not going to your parents’ until Saturday morning.”

“How do you know that?”

“Your calendar is hanging on the front door. So, you have no excuse. I called her and she’s looking forward to it. And I’ve picked out the restaurant.”

“Oh, wow,” he replied slowly and she heard dark laughter in the background. Maybe he was still in the dressing room. “You’ve been busy.”

“Yep. Very! And, to motivate you a little more…” she cleared her throat, “I’ve also arranged a date for me that evening.”

He was silent for a moment. “Have you now?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. That’s…” Another pause. “Good for you! What’s the guy’s name?”

“Alfie McDonald.”

A laugh was his reaction.

“Hey, don’t be mean! It’s not his fault that’s his name.”

“Sorry, sorry. I’m just surprised that he lives here in LA and not out on the farm.”

She bit her lip to keep from laughing. “Matt!”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s fine. Who’s my date?”

“Christina Henley, I told you. She’s a Hollywood agent. She has crazy hours. She has a great sense of humor. And an attitude of just-let-life-happen .”

“Mm, that sounds…”

“…good?” she asked nervously.

“Yeah. It’s just…”

“What?” She immediately sat up straighter. “You can’t back out!”

“I won’t. It’s just that first dates are always so awkward, Maddie. I was just thinking that maybe you’d consider a double date, since you made one for yourself for that evening?”

Maddie paused and the pen she had been nervously tapping on her knee fell from her hand. “Um,” she said eloquently.

“First dates are always awkward,” he repeated. “There are gaps in the conversation and you don’t know where to look. If there were four of us, that would ease the tension a bit, don’t you think?”

Maddie bent down to pick up the pen and rubbed the back of her neck. A double date . They’d be together on a date. But not with each other – with other people.

Hm. She wasn’t sure if that was strange or a good idea.

“It’s a good idea. We can save each other if things go south,” Matt replied, reading her mind.

The corners of her mouth twitched. “It won’t go south. Christina is perfect. But, yeah, fine.” He was right. It would lighten the mood. And she could collect more…data. She could see what Matt liked and didn’t like. Keep an eye on him .

She swallowed the latter thought quickly.

“Okay, I’ll check with them,” she replied. “If they don’t mind, I’ll change the reservation to four people.”

Matt breathed a sigh of relief. “Great. See you later then?”

“I think so.”

“Okay, I’m cooking something tonight.”

She snorted. “You’re cooking?”

“Hey, I had to cook a lot as a kid! I can make vegetable stir-fries. Pasta. I even made a casserole once.”

“By topping pasta and vegetable stir-fries with cheese?”

“Exactly! So, look forward to a gourmet meal.”

“I’d rather look forward to the gourmet restaurant on Wednesday,” she replied. “Which, I hope, I won’t have to pay for.”

“Do you think Alfie will treat you?”

“No way. You will!” she said, grinning. “You’re rich.”

He snorted. “And you call yourself emancipated.”

“You can be emancipated and still let the millionaire hockey star pay. So, see you later.”

“Later,” he said, amused. “And thanks…for the date.”

She swallowed. “No problem. It’ll be great.”