Page 3 of Claws and Controllers

Mara laughed, the sound rich and warm. “Truer words were never spoken, my friend. Truer words were never spoken.”

As the afternoon wore on, the penthouse continued to buzz with excitement and speculation. Women huddled in small groups, discussing potential matches and sharing stories of love found and lost. But through it all, Gerri moved with purpose, her silver-white hair catching the sunlight as she wove her way through the crowd.

To the casual observer, she might have seemed like any other socialite, enjoying a day of champagne and gossip. But those who knew her best understood the truth: behind those twinkling blue eyes lay a mind constantly at work, piecing together the intricate puzzle of human connection.

And as she cast one last glance at Mara and Letty, still deep in conversation on the settee, Gerri allowed herself a moment of quiet satisfaction. The seeds had been planted. Now, it was only a matter of time before they blossomed into something truly spectacular.

With a decisive nod, she turned her attention back to the other ladies, ready to work her magic once more. After all, love waits for no one.

Gerri found herself cornered by a group of eager women, all clamoring for her attention.

“Gerri, darling,” cooed a statuesque redhead, her voice dripping with honey, “you simply must tell us your secret. How do you always know which couples will work?”

Gerri’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Now, now, ladies. A magician never reveals her tricks.”

“Oh, come now,” pressed a petite blonde, her designer dress sparkling in the fading sunlight. “Surely you can give us a hint? We’re all dying to know.”

Gerri chuckled, shaking her head. “It’s just a gift.”

The women tittered excitedly, hanging on her every word. Gerri basked in their attention for a moment before gently extricating herself from the group.

As she made her way through the crowd, Gerri caught snippets of conversation floating around her.

“Did you hear about the Johnsons? Gerri matched them last fall, and now they’re expecting twins!”

“I heard she’s matched women with two men at the same time. Can you imagine?”

“They say she has a sixth sense for these things. Like she can see the red strings of fate or something.”

Gerri smiled to herself. They weren’t far off.

As she approached the bar to request a fresh round of mimosas, Gerri’s thoughts drifted back to Elliot and Zy. There was something special about this potential match, a spark of possibility she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It wasn’t just their professional compatibility or their shared interests. There was an energy there, a tension waiting to be ignited.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Gerri turned to find Mara standing beside her.

“Oh, just pondering the mysteries of the heart,” Gerri replied. “And perhaps plotting a little mischief.”

Mara’s lips quirked into a knowing smile. “Why do I get the feeling that my son is at the center of this mischief?”

Gerri’s eyes danced with amusement. “Now, Mara, you know I never kiss and tell. Or in this case, match and tell.”

“Mmm,” Mara hummed, unconvinced. “Just promise me one thing, Gerri.”

“And what’s that, my dear?”

Mara’s expression softened, a hint of vulnerability peeking through her usual composed facade. “Promise me you’ll becareful with Zy’s heart. He may seem tough on the outside, but...”

“But he’s got a heart of gold underneath all that corporate armor,” Gerri finished for her. She placed a comforting hand on Mara’s arm. “I promise you, Mara, I would never do anything to hurt Zy. Or Elliot, for that matter. My goal is to bring happiness, not pain.”

Mara nodded, visibly relaxing. “I know, I know. It’s just... well, you know how mothers worry.”

Gerri’s smile was warm and understanding. “Of course, I do. And that’s precisely why I do what I do. To ease those worries and bring a little more love into the world.”

As if on cue, a burst of laughter erupted from across the room. Letty was at the center of a small group, regaling them with what appeared to be a highly entertaining story.

“Speaking of bringing more love into the world,” Gerri said, a mischievous glint in her eye, “I believe your partner in crime is in need of rescue. Shall we?”

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