Can you stand another first draft, unedited look at LOVE MATCH ( HEaven’s Matchmaker, book 2)?
Hee hee.
here ya go…
Her skin was warm under his touch and he could sense the slight thrum of her pulse against his fingers. Was it his imagination, or did it speed up a bit while she sat there, just staring at him?
“Hey, you two. This is a surprise.”
Layla’s rapid blinking pulled him out of a vision of taking her hand, bringing it to his lips, and nibbling on her fingers, one by one.
“Liv.” He glanced up at his cousin, gingerly slipped his hand off Layla’s wrist, then nodded. “What brings you out on this cold day.”
Her eyes tracked his motion. “I’m meeting someone for lunch.”
Then she smiled at him and slid her eyes to Layla.
“How are you doing?”
He let the two of them chat for a moment, observing that his cousin’s eyes flicked from him to Layla several times, her expression thoughtful.
Oh, no, cousin, forget whatever your little matchmaking mind is conjuring.
He could hear the gears turning and squeaking in her brain. She wanted so badly to fix him up with one of her eligible and marriage-seeking clients. She couldn’t believe he was actually happy in his divorced/single state, dating as much as he wanted, hooking up when he could. For Liv, everyone had a someone and she thought it was her mission in life to make sure all in her sphere found their person.
Not gonna happen.
He’d already found his person. Unfortunately, after a while, she hadn’t felt the same. End of story.
“What do you think, Cody?”
He pulled out of musings to find two pairs of eyes focused on him.
“Sorry, what? Thinking of fifty things at once up here.” He pointed to himself.
“I asked,” Liv said, drawing out the word, “If you thought you’d have Layla’s place ready by Christmas?”
He turned his attention to the woman across the table. “I don’t know since we haven’t had a chance to talk about what she wants done yet.”
“We were just about to discuss it,” Layla told Olivia.
“Oh, well, don’t let me stop you. I see my client, anyway.” She lifted a hand and waved to someone.
Almost immediately they were joined by a familiar face.
“Hey, doc,” Cody, stood and shook the man’s hand. “How’s the new addition?
“Perfect,” Hunter Reinhart told him. “Having a home office is so much more convenient. Thanks for all your help and the great work.”
“Glad it panned it.”
Hunter zeroed in on Layla.
Liv made the introductions while Cody sat back down. For some reason, he didn’t like the way the man was staring so intently at Layla.
“Nice to meet you,” Hunter said.
“Likewise.”
“Layla and I are old friends,” Liv told him.
“Are you in town visiting?” Hunter asked.
“For a while, at least. I’m seeing to my grandmother’s house.”
“Effie Mason,” Liv offered.
Hunter’s smile grew. “Effie’s one of my favorite patients. Always smiling, always in a good mood. She’s a doll.”
When Layla returned the smile, Cody’s back shot straight. She’d never smiled like that at him. He rolled his eyes internally at how juvenile he sounded.
“Thank you for saying that,” Layla said. “I think so, too.”
“Everyone loves your grandmother,” Cody said.
Hunter nodded, never looking at him, but keeping his eyes focused on Layla. “It was a shame she couldn’t go back to her home after she broke her hip, but it really was just too dangerous for her to live alone.”
“She loves the Arms, so at least she’s happy there.”
He nodded. “Well, I expect I’ll be seeing you when you visit. I make rounds two to three times a week on all my patients there, both in assisted living and higher care.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Cody wanted to gag. How many times could the guy insinuate his profession into the conversation?
Okay, you’re a doctor. We all get it.
“Well, enjoy your lunch, you two.” Liv took Hunter’s arm and, thankfully, guided him toward a table on the opposite side of the room.
It didn’t get past Cody the man glanced over his shoulder a few times, his attention on Layla.
“Are Liv and him…?” Layla asked, leaving the question dangling.
“No. He’s one of her clients.”
Her brows shot up. “Clients?” She turned to look at them. “I wouldn’t think someone like him would need a matchmaker.”
The hairs on his neck stood at attention. “Someone like him?”
She shrugged and took another sip of her drink. “He’s a doctor.”
He nodded.
“So. Successful, probably has money, and is good-looking. Seems like he wouldn’t have any trouble finding someone to marry him.”
Cody’s eyes slatted. “You in the market? I’m sure Liv would set you two up if you asked.”
The sarcasm and anger in his tone drifted right over her. Instead, she shuddered, knocking him back a few paces.
“No thanks. I’m not looking to get married. Or even be in a relationship. Not now, anyway. Maybe never.” Her face went crimson again as her gaze dropped to the table.
Peggy Jaeger, Author 