Ashley

I sat at my desk in my office, waiting for Jeremy, Crystal, and the guys to arrive for the heart-locking ceremony that was a tradition at Pair Us for all of our matched couples. Lazer was out of town again. I hated that he would miss it. He was missing a lot lately.

The Pair Us lock is beautiful—about one inch in size, engraved with Pair Us on Lake Union and our logo and catch phrase, Find the key to your heart. Room is left for the couple's initials on the back.

A single one of those locks sat in a plush velvet box on my desk in front of me engraved with Jeremy and Crystal's initials. Only clients get locks, not members. In theory, most clients will connect with a member, not another client—one lock, one couple, easy and uncomplicated. In this case—two members, two locks, a lock and a spare. This lock was Jeremy's. He'd insisted.

I was particularly proud of Austin's and Blair's lock, which was prominently placed. My own lock, which was solid gold, was engraved with Lazer's and my initials and placed at the center pinnacle location of the bridge. Ours had been the first lock to grace the bridge.

Our lock had been on the bridge now over six months and we were still no closer to setting a date for the wedding than we had been then. I loved Lazer. I did. But…

Damn those buts. And this was a big one—I wanted to get married again soon. I wanted children. I'd expected to have two or three with Ruck by now. I was getting older. Lazer was great in every way, but…

I couldn't rush him. He had to be ready to walk down the aisle, too.

I slid open my desk drawer and pulled out another plush box. It contained Knox's heart lock, engraved so far with just his initials. I was meeting him for lunch tomorrow. I planned to give the lock to him then. Why did my heart flutter at the thought of seeing him?

I felt disloyal. And yet I knew the answer—there had been a flicker of something between us. If I had reconnected with Knox before meeting Lazer, what would have happened? Was it only that Knox reminded me of Ruck and was a man who would commit his heart and commit fully? Or was there more?

My assistant Lottie knocked on my door and poked her head in.

The box with the lock burned in my hands. I shoved it back in the drawer and closed the drawer as if caught in the act.

Lottie didn't seem to notice. She was beaming. "They're here!" Lottie loved the guys almost as much as I did.

"Excellent." I smiled.

"Everything is set up for the ceremony and looks beautiful. Lazer sprang for the most expensive champagne."

"Being friends with the billionaire owner has its perks," I said.

Lottie clasped her hands. "It's very romantic. I think this is a record for the fastest engagement that we've had. At least since I've been with you."

I nodded. "Since ever."

"You're not worried, are you?" she said. "About it being so fast?"

"No more than I worry about any of my couples." I stood and smoothed my skirt. "I know they belong together."

Lottie was acting a little funny, which made me suspicious. She was blocking my view of something outside the door.

I gave her my thin-eyed look. "All right. What's up?"

She laughed. "Someone's here to see you."

"I don't have time—"

She stepped out of the way, revealing a stunningly hot guy. My guy, grinning in the way that always melted my heart.

My mouth fell open. My eyes went wide. I pushed my chair back and ran to him. "Lazer!" I threw myself into his arms. "You made it! I'm so glad you're back. You're just in time." He had no idea.

His eyes danced as he wrapped his arms around me. "Damn, I've missed you."

"Is the only way I can get you to come home to me is to get you another best-man gig?" I basked in his gaze. "If so, I'm running out of cards to play. I only have two more of your friends left."

"The most challenging two." He held me tight. "It's going to take a brave woman to take on Dylan, particularly."

"I don't know about that. A lot of women like the strong, silent type."

"You mean the giant type."

"A gentle giant. You'll have yet another best-man gig in no time and will have to run home to me again from wherever you are."

"Best-man gig, hell. This lock ceremony is just an excuse for what I wanted to do. How can I ever stay away from you long? I love you." He lowered his lips to mine.

"I love you too." I meant it with all my heart. But that didn't mean I was any less impatient.

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If you liked you’ll want to read the next book in the Jet City Matchmaker Series—Dylan’s story, ! Can the strong silent type find love with a woman from his past?