The parking lot was full, but Jeannie got lucky, finding a spot as another person pulled out. The chilly night air held the scent of flowers. Fall would arrive shortly. Until then, she’d enjoy the cooler breezes and the full moon. She entered the crowded restaurant. Groups of people stood around the hostess stand, but Jeannie didn’t feel like waiting.
She spied the owner talking with the hostess. “Hello, Dennis. Looks busy tonight. How are you?”
The blond man in a black suit and tie flashed a mega-watt smile. “Jeannie, what are you doing here?” He brushed his lips against her cheek. “I heard about the store today. I’d have thought you’d be holed up with the insurance claims adjuster. What a tragedy. Tell me you are reopening.”
She squeezed his hand. “Of course, I am. You know me, never let anything keep me down. Minor damage, but now I can finally do the remodel I’ve been putting off. You must stop in once it’s done. I’ve been saving a diamond and emerald tie tack that would be perfect for you.” Jeannie loved the people of her new hometown. She’d left the big city of Los Angeles for a place that felt more like home. The townspeople had embraced her when she’d moved to Kerrville and opened her store, treating her like family. So the idea of someone targeting her and setting fire to her store had her flabbergasted. It couldn’t be one of her neighbors or friends. An accident or mistaken identity?
“Ooohhh… You know my weakness.” He clapped his hands together with excitement. “We’re pretty full tonight, but your usual spot at the bar is available. Can I lead you there?”
“I’m expecting a guest. My dear friend Cherri is in town for a visit. Can you send her my way?”
Dennis reached over and squeezed her hand.
She looped her arm in his as he led her through the grumbling throngs of people waiting, past the diners enjoying mouthwatering meals, to the end of the polished copper bar. Dennis pulled out the plush leather barstool for her, and after she sat down, he kissed her cheek. “I’ll be sure to send your friend right to you when she arrives.”
Jeannie glanced at the bar menu in front of her. She knew which drink she wanted, but it didn’t hurt to check them all out. Finally, able to relax after the stress of the day, she let her shoulders sag as if a weight flew off them.
Before she could finish scanning the martini list, Dennis and Cherri approached. Jeannie stifled a squeal, excited to see her friend. They’d been high school cheerleaders together and college study buddies, but with each of them owning and running her own store, time together was hard to come by. Jeannie had been looking forward to an evening with Cherri. After the fire, she needed a sympathetic friend more than the drink.
She hopped off the barstool, reached out and enveloped Cherri in a boob-squishing hug.
Jeannie pulled away and studied her friend from head to toe. “Hey, girl. You’re looking good. Your baby-blue dress brings out your eyes. You could make a paper bag look sexy, though. I envy your metabolism. Every piece of candy I eat sticks to my butt.”
“Pleeeze, lady. I’m jealous of your curves. You always look so posh and put together, while I look like a cheap hooker. But it’s a look I love.” Cherri spun around, causing the full skirt to twirl then posed with her hands on her hips. “One of the recent additions at the store. I couldn’t help myself. Doesn’t it scream ‘take me home’?”
“Are you still buying more than you’re selling?” Jeannie joked. “Seriously, you’re a walking billboard for your store. Women go in searching for something which will make them feel sexy, and you never disappoint. Your clients love you. The sexy undergarments and the smokin’ hot dresses help them to finally see what others have seen all along—their beauty and passionate nature.”
“It’s the part I love best about my job. My clients return time and again, melting their credit cards from overuse. Two of my best customers recently bought whole new outfits for a matchmaking weekend arranged by Master Draikoh San.”
“Let me get you ladies some drinks.” Dennis pulled out their chairs and the women sat down. He snapped his fingers.
The bartender laid a napkin in front of each woman. “What can I get for you?” The black T-shirt hugged his chest, accentuating his muscular arms. His long brown locks lay atop his head in a man-bun, and his bright-white smile flashed in the dark bar.
Jeannie gazed at the bartender’s biceps. She’d love to see if they were as hard as they looked, but then another man crossed her mind. Dimples, broad chest, and chocolate-brown eyes… She sighed. Why couldn’t she keep him off her mind?
Cherri patted his hand. “I need that martini menu. I’ve heard stories about your amazing drinks.” She studied the couple of dozen drinks listed inside only a moment before deciding. “A Ring Bling, please.”
“No problem. And for you?” He angled his head toward Jeannie.“I’ll have a Death by Chocolate.”
“Coming right up.” The bartender’s backside was as yummy as his front, but even with all his handsomeness, he didn’t make Jeannie tingle. Only one man had her breathless lately. Too bad he’d also made her frustrated and angry.
Quickly, the bartender returned with their drinks. A ring sucker circled the stem of Cherri’s martini glass, bright-blue cocktail the color of the ocean in the Caribbean. Jeannie lifted her dark-brown martini to her lips. Chocolate swirled around in the glass and along the rim. She stuck her tongue out to take a taste. Yum, chocolate. A girl’s second best friend.
“Isn’t he a delight?” Cherri jabbed her elbow into Jeannie’s side.
“I suppose. He’s cute and all, but not really my type.” She shrugged.
Her friend’s eyes widened. “When have you ever passed on a treat like him?” Cherri laid her palm on Jeannie’s forehead. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Feeling fine. He’s not my type. So he’s all yours.”
“I’m glad you are throwing me a bone here. Since you aren’t ill, maybe you need a different arrangement.” Cherri wiggled her brows. “Remember how I told you about my clients and the matchmaker…?” She reached into her black purse and withdrew a red envelope. She laid it on the bar then sipped her martini.
“What do you have? An invite to the White House? Or maybe the secret Victoria’s been hiding?” Jeannie chuckled, curious. Taking another swallow of her drink, she contemplated what could be in the envelope. “I thought you were telling me about your clients.”
“One recently returned from Laguna Beach. She’d gone there for a weekend getaway arranged by Master Draikoh San. Her match was a single father with a young daughter. They hit it off, and Master Draikoh San arranged for Melanie to get a job and move there. She came in to buy some sexy outfits for her wedding and honeymoon and showed me some pictures of the beach and the fabulous Mondrian Hotel she stayed in.”
Pursing her lips, Jeannie scowled at Cherri. “A matchmaker found her a ready-made family and job? Sounds too good to be true. Are you sure you understood her correctly?”
“Yes. And Melanie wasn’t the only one. Her former teaching partner, Lauren, also found a match through Draikoh San and is married to a local television reporter. You might have heard of Mac Thomas. He used to be a national foreign correspondent? He’d covered stories in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“I remember him. Didn’t his wife pass away?” Jeannie finished off her martini then began to lick the chocolate from inside the glass.
Cherri swallowed the rest of her martini. She removed the ring and placed it on her finger. “Do you like it?” She flashed the ring to the bartender then held up two fingers indicating another round. Finally she glanced at Jeannie. “You have a smudge of chocolate on your nose. Hold still. Taking a cocktail napkin, she wiped her face clean. “Anyway, yes, Mac returned from overseas when his wife died. They had a child, and he couldn’t bear to leave him alone.”
Jeannie sighed. “If only I could find a man like him. Someone who works hard but makes time for his family and loved ones.” She swirled her finger around the bottom of her empty glass then stuck her finger in her mouth. “No sense wasting the good stuff.”
“Well…” Cherri handed the red envelope to her. “Maybe you can.”
Jeannie held the paper between two fingers as if it were a dangerous snake. “What’s this?”
Her friend made a shooing motion. “Open it and find out.”
Using her fingernail, she opened the flap then withdrew a printed invitation.
Miss Hall,
You are invited for a weekend match with a mystery man. Your friend Cherri filled out the application for you, and we’ve found a perfect match. She said to consider this your early birthday present.
This match will allow you to explore your connection in a safe environment.
Full luxury accommodations have been arranged at the magnificent Chancellor Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio for next weekend. An airline ticket will be awaiting you at the airport on the date of departure. In light of the recent fire at your store, you should be free to spend a little time enjoying yourself. Can you afford to say no?
This will be a weekend to remember where all your dreams will come true.
Sincerely,
Master Draikoh San
As she scanned the words, Jeannie’s scowl returned. “Cherri Marie Johnson. What did you do?”