Page 22 of Forbidden Whispers

He quickly changed the subject. “So, you never answered my question from this afternoon.”

“What question?”

“If you’ve had so much success with your matchmaking clients, why aren’t you already matched up yourself, Miss Matches by Maggie?”

Maggie dropped the napkin she’d been using to dab at the remaining sauce on her lips, and she gazed steadily at him, as if she were contemplating how much to tell him. Then she lifted one shoulder. “I guess I’ve just been too busy to play matchmaker for myself. As a fellow entrepreneur, I’m sure you understand how hard it is to have a personal life—let alone a romantic one—while building your business. Right now, all my focus and energy is on helping my clients like you find true love.”

Noah was about to reply when suddenly a voice came from beside their table. “Unbelievable. You’re back again tonight?”

Noah looked up and felt his heart drop at the sight of the familiar elegant brunette standing next to them. She wore a chic black suit with a crisp white shirt beneath it. Her expression wasn’t happy, and she tossed her long hair back over one shoulder, revealing a “Manager” badge on her lapel.

Uh-oh. “Well, hi there, Michelle! I didn’t realize that...”

“That I worked here?”

“Well, actually, yes.” He sounded lame, even to his own ears.

Michelle rolled her eyes. “I saw you yesterday and I chose not to say anything. But seriously? It was bad enough that you brought a date here last night, flaunting her in front of me. But two nights in a row? With two different women?” Here she looked pointedly at Maggie, who was looking confused.

“It’s not what you think, Michelle. This is my friend, Maggie. She’s helping me—”

Michelle cut him off, her words aimed at Maggie. “Listen, I’m going to give you some free advice. Stay as far away as possible from this one.” She tilted her head in Noah’s direction. “I know he looks good on the outside, but trust me, he’s not worth it.”

“I don’t understand,” Maggie said, her gaze flipping between the two of them. “You two know each other?”

“We went out once.” Michelle tossed her hair again. “But once was more than enough.”

“Please, Michelle, I explained—” Noah began.

But this time it was Maggie who cut him off, her focus on Michelle. “What happened on your date?”

“Let’s see...” Michelle put a hand on one hip and began counting on her fingers with the other. “First, he was over an hour late picking me up.”

“I told you that I took a couple of wrong turns coming to get you,” Noah protested.

“Then,” Michelle plowed on, holding up her second finger, “he conveniently forgot his wallet, so I had to pay for both of our meals, even though he asked me out.”

“It was just a simple oversight!”

“And last but definitely not least,” she continued, holding up her third finger, “after our lunch, he took me for a hike in the state park. And while we were standing on one of the open viewing platforms, he knocked me off it. I fell ten feet to the ground and sprained both of my ankles.”

“I tripped!” Noah cried. “I didn’t mean to knock you off!”

“I was housebound in a wheelchair for two weeks!” she finished, folding her arms across her ample chest.

“That must have been terrible!” Maggie said.

Noah knew there wasn’t anything he could say to save the situation, so he mumbled, “I already told you multiple times how sorry I was, Michelle.”

“Mhm.” Her face was closed off.

“That sounds like an absolutely awful date, Michelle,” Maggie said, her brows furrowed in sympathy. “I can’t even imagine how frustrating and disappointing it must have been for you to experience all of that.” Maggie shook her head. “And then to have him show up at your place of business with other women? That must really sting.”

Michelle’s expression softened in response to Maggie’s obvious empathy.

Noah was exasperated and wanted to argue, but deep down, he knew there was truth in what Michelle was saying. So, he kept quiet as Maggie continued. “Have you ever considered that maybe that whole negative experience with Noah was actually a blessing in disguise?”

“What do you mean?” Michelle asked.

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