Page 13 of The Matchmaker and the Marine

With a shake of her head, she said, “It’s just that my husband used to call me Mel.”

Adam could feel his heart constrict. “I’m sorry, again. I didn’t mean to dredge up a painful memory.”

Melinda laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay, really. You can call me Mel, but when it’s just the two of us. I like to use Melinda in business; I think it gives me a professional edge.”

He stuck out a hand. “Care to shake on it?” Her hand fit into his perfectly. He held on to it and said, “I promise to call you Melinda. But don’t get ticked off if I slip up.”

She gave him a sad little smile. “Thank you for understanding.”

Fat drops of rain cut short his next comment as she pulled her hand free and dashed towards the back door. “Are you coming?”

Adam rolled up the plans and hurried after her, ignoring the twinge he felt in his knee. He couldn’t tell what was stronger—the jab to his leg or the jolt to his heart.

Chapter 6

Nervous, Adam wiped the palms of his hands on his jeans. Sitting in a coffee shop was not his idea of fun on a Sunday morning. Even if it was to meet his first date in years. In fact, that made it much worse. Dating sucked no matter how old you were.

He had to wonder what had possessed him to sign up with Mel anyway. He should have just waited to meet a nice girl the old-fashioned way, by chance or fate. Or were they one and the same?

He snorted and a woman with two small children looked his way. He held up his hand and smiled. He gave a quick nod, and then his gaze slid to the window, which overlooked the sidewalk and parking lot. A tall, blonde bombshell-type was walking his way. Could that be Susan? If it was, she sure hadn’t looked like she wore that much makeup in her profile picture. He preferred a more natural look. Like Melinda. Now why did that thought pop into his head?

As the woman approached his table, he stood up. She made a beeline in his direction.

“Adam?” She stuck out her hand and shook his with an overly firm grip. “Susan.”

“Pleased to meet you, Susan.”

“I hope you haven’t been waiting too long. I couldn’t decide what to wear for a first meeting.” She leaned forward and, with a conspiratorial wink, said, “I hate first dates. Don’t you?”

Adam was surprised that such a high-pitched voice could come out of such a tall woman. He’d expected something sultrier. “I have to admit I haven’t gone on a first date in years. Not since before I enlisted in the Marines.” He thought he detected a slight frown. But he had no idea what he might have said to cause it.

“You look just like the profile picture I got from Melinda.” Resting her elbows on the table, Susan leaned forward. “Would you like to order soon?” Susan glanced toward the waitress and waved her fingertips, calling her over to the table. “I detest coffee.”

Unsure what to say next, Adam waited.

The waitress stopped at their table. “Would you like to order something?”

Susan half-rolled her eyes. “That’s why I called you over.”

She patted Adam’s hand, which was resting on the tabletop. He couldn’t help but notice hers was like ice.

“I’d like to order two large hot chocolates and a couple of chocolate croissants.” She smiled at Adam.

“Actually, make mine a large black coffee and a banana nut muffin.”

“Oh, well, you can pack the second croissant in a bag and I’ll take it with me.” She looked at Adam. “That is, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.” He smiled at the waitress. “Thank you.”

Without acknowledging Susan, she said, “I’ll be right back with your order.”

Adam had a sinking feeling about Susan, but he was determined to give her the benefit of the doubt.

She moistened her lips. “I have to confess, I’m a bundle of nerves. Dating a Marine.” She picked up a napkin and unfolded it on her lap. “My ex was in the Army.”

“I retired as a major.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Wow, that’s impressive, and it explains your haircut.” She rearranged the condiment containers on the table. “But whatever made you want to go into such a dangerous”— she waved her hands around— “occupation?”

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