Page 125 of Failure to Match

This time Jackson didn’t stop me when I tried to slip out from underneath his limbs. The crack spread, and I had no one to blame for it but myself. Keeping my head down, my eyes averted, I quietly gathered my clothes and put them on.

“I’ll see you at noon.”

I didn’t wait for a response from him. I just left.

30

I hoppedonto my laptop as soon as I was showered and dressed, and threw myself into work, hoping it would distract me. Except I’d been staring at the screen for just under an hour, and the only thing I’d done was open Alice’s email and click on her first listed candidate.

Miray Kaya.

Thirty-four years old. Former gymnast and current CEO of Counter Couture—the largest vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable clothing brand in the country. She had an MBA from Cambridge with a concentration on sustainable business, had won numerous innovation and ethical fashion awards, and was quite possibly the most beautiful human being in existence. She wasstunning.

Like, her photos straight-up did not look real.

Under the Consultant Notes section, Alice had written:

Shares client’s views on the romanticization of romance itself (though not as strongly). Much more interested in compatibility than love. Would consider an open marriage under the right circumstances but would prefer to maintaina sexual relationship and sleep in the same bed as primary partner, as both activities heavily promote bonding between mates, which strengthens the foundation for raising and co-parenting future children. She is well-read on the topic and is happy to discuss the science behind it at length.

Overall compatibility score of 90.3 based on available data. Higher-than-normal error margin is expected due to limited/ undisclosed information pertaining to client A’s: childhood and upbringing; interpersonal relationships; attachment style; conflict resolution style; sexual preferences.

Under private notes, she’d written:

Nope, pictures aren’t photoshopped. Believe it or not, they actually don’t do her justice. I’ve got major hair/face/body envy. I don’t think even Ripper would turn her down.

I felt a little sick to my stomach, to be honest. I knew I had to keep it moving and open the next profile but couldn’t bring myself to do it. This was exactly why Charmed (and almost all other reputable matchmaking services) had such strict policies and guidelines prohibiting their consultants from getting physically or romantically involved with their clients.

The conflict-of-interest bit was a very real thing. I was living it.

I shut my laptop, stood up, and started pacing. There were only two possible ways this thing with Jackson could end—with me agreeing to sign the contract, or him marrying someone else. There was no third option.

If I didn’t sign the contract, our little affair would have to end in two weeks.

If I did sign the contract, it would have to end at the one-year mark,andI’d lose my career over it.

Again, there was no magical third option. I wasn’t going to delude myself into thinking that, somewhere along the line, Jackson would change his entire belief system and confess his undying love to me. I also didn’t trust myself to not fall for him and definitely didn’t hate myself enough to?—

I halted when my phonedinged.

Unknown number

Oh, there we go.

Unknown number

Did you do it?

Unknown number

I think so.

Unknown number

How do you know?

Unknown number

I’m in the next room, Molly. You can just come talk to me.

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