Allison

Matchmaker

I hitch my thumb toward the closed office door. “He’s a tough nut to crack, isn’t he?”

“He values privacy above all things. He’s a good man, and he’s been through a lot in his life, but yeah, he is a tough one.”

“Well, we already talked about the pictures, and that’s why I came down, so I’ll get out of your way. Tell Stella thank you again for the clothes and the invitation to dinner. The crew is grateful for a place to stay. I don’t know what we would have done without you two.”

“It’s nothing, and it’ll give Cannon some new people to talk to while he’s stuck inside. I think that kid has asked to go outside in this storm a billion times today. You’d think he had never seen snow before.”

“He’s great, reminds me of my little brother when he was that age, so pure and full of energy and questions.”

“Do you have kids?”

“Oh no, I’m not married or dating for that matter, but I feel like I have a son. I’ve been raising my little brother for six years.”

“Really? How old is he?” Ash asks leaning up to rest his elbows on his desk. He is intently listening almost as if he were taking notes in his head.

“Fifteen going on thirty.” We chuckle, and I’m beginning to feel uncomfortable like he’s pumping me for details about my life but for what reason? He has a gorgeous wife whom he seems to adore. This can’t be flirting. Maybe he’s asking for someone else? Ridge perhaps?

I’ll admit we got off to a rocky start, but now that I know why he’s so standoffish, I understand better why he wouldn’t want anything to do with me. I do, after all, work for a subsidiary of the magazine that helped destroy his reputation and forced him into hiding.

“I bet we all went through that phase. I’m glad we don’t have to worry about it with Cannon for a few more years.”

“Oh, I don’t know, he’s pretty smart. I’d say he’s five going on ten already.”

“Stella says that, too. She’s going to college to be a teacher, and she tells me he’s pretty advanced for his age.”

“A teacher, yeah, I can see her as a teacher. She’s kind and generous and patient which is the key to being a good teacher, if you ask me.”

“Yep, I agree. My favorite teachers were always the ones who took extra time to help me and didn’t get frustrated when I didn’t understand. She’ll be great.”

The way he talks about his wife is like she stepped right out of a dream, and it instills hope in my heart that love is still out there, for some people anyway. I am terminally unlucky in love. Every guy I date either has a problem with me raising my brother or just wants a good time and nothing more. I can’t win, so I quit playing the game.

“Well, don’t let me keep you, I know you’re busy. I’ll see you all at dinner tonight. Will Ridge be there, too?” Oh my God, where did that come from? I wasn’t planning on asking about him. The words just slipped out of my mouth like I have a hole in my lip.

“No, uh, he told me he was going to catch up on some work and eat in his room tonight.” My face must show disappointment because Ash stands up and takes a step toward me. “Allison, can I ask you something personal?”

“I, uh, I guess so.”

“You’re attracted to Ridge, aren’t you?”

I can feel the heat of a blush beginning at the base of my neck, and I look down at my yellow fuzzy feet.

“I don’t mean to embarrass you. I swear I don’t. But I see how you look at him when his back is turned, and I… well, I worry about him.”

I cross my arms and look up into his eyes. “Worry about him how?”

“He works very hard, and he’s been alone for a long time. I’d just like to see him, you know, date somebody. You seem like a kind woman with her shit together, and let me tell you women like that are hard to find. Maybe I could steer you two in the same direction while you’re here and see if there’s any chemistry?”

I cock my head and grimace, “Ah, I don’t know, Ash. I appreciate the thought, but Ridge doesn’t seem interested, and I’m not into being pushy or forward.”

“You wouldn’t be. I’ll be discrete.”

His eyes are so full of hope I can hardly say no. Well, I could have, but I don’t want to.

“Okay, as long as he doesn’t suspect, and you don’t think he will be upset by it.”

“Why would he be upset about spending time with a beautiful woman?”

“Ash, you’re good at making me blush, you know that?”

“Sorry, Stella says that, too. I don’t even know I’m doing it. But it’s true. You two would make a great couple. Let’s see what happens.”

“All right, I’m game.”

He claps his hands together, and I jump. “Great, so what do you think about delivering Ridge his dinner tonight to his room? Perfect ice breaker, huh?”

“Don’t you think that’s a little much for the first shove? How about we try baby steps first?”

“Okay, but you only have a couple of days. We have to move fast.”

“I’ll think about it, no promises.”

“Fair enough.” He smiles like he knows something I don’t.

What in the hell have I gotten myself into?