Page 3 of Clueless Romeo

"I'm glad things are working out." And I was, but I was already bored with the whole situation. The new couple had been too easy to pair together. For once, I wished someone would provide more of a challenge and stir the competitor in me that was determined to win. I held back a long-suffering sigh.

A dreamy look filled her eyes because Miss Meyers was in love with love. "I'm so glad Sandy recommended you, Roman. I really do think things are only going to progress with Todd. He asked me to accompany him to the theater this weekend."

"And you said yes?" I cocked a brow, becoming aware Todd had taken my advice.

A wide grin split her red-painted lips. "Definitely. I adore the theater. I played Juliet in high school and even considered attending a performing arts school. But I went to Alabama like my mama suggested. Honestly, I've missed the stage."

No surprise there. While Autumn hadn't included her love of the theater on her questionnaire, it was yet another thing I'd discovered by browsing her online presence. If I was a betting man, and I was, I gave it four months before she'd have a shiny rock wrapped around her slender ring finger.

"That's wonderful, Autumn." I nodded as I sat forward and swiped my fingertip over the TouchPad of my laptop. "I'll add the date to our files. By the way, have you thought about what color you'd like your bridesmaids to wear?"

I turned to wink at her, and she giggled, "Roman, I think we are getting a bit ahead of ourselves."

I always insisted my clients call me by my first name to create a closer connection. When they trusted me, the results tended to be more successful. My lips kicked up on one side, shooting her a crooked grin. "Tell the truth. You have, though, haven't you?"

Autumn ducked her head, hiding her rosy cheeks, as she admitted, "Well, I suppose I like plum for winter or blush pink for spring."

"I'm sure it will be a beautiful wedding. I expect an invitation." I grinned, and she batted away my comment.

"Of course you'll be invited,ifit happens." She gave me a pointed look. Since it was already February, my experience told me to bank on a Christmas wedding. Not too soon or too fast.

According to Todd's profile, he was only interested in pursuing a forever love. It was evident that I had chosen the right woman for him when he'd called me the day after their date to suspend his account. Permanently. I hadn't told Autumn because it wasn't something I could share. I promised my clients confidentiality. But if I knew Todd, the man was probably at the jeweler shopping for a piece of expensive diamond hardware as we spoke.

I chuckled at the skeptical way she looked at me. "Well, keep me updated. In the meantime, I'll comb through my tuxedos to find one fitting for both seasons."

She produced an unladylike snort and covered her mouth, drawing a raspy laugh from my chest.

When the laughter died down, she looked at me with an appreciative look on her doll-like face. "Thank you for everything, Roman," Autumn said as she stood. When she smoothed down her vibrant floral-patterned dress, her rose perfume hit my nose with her movement. "I mean it. I think my friend, Nadine, could really benefit from your help. You wouldn't mind if I gave her your card, would you?"

"Of course not. I would be happy to help your friend." As I reached for a stack of business cards, the sleeve of my white dress shirt slid up my arm just enough to flash a few petals of the black, shaded rose tattoo that started at my wrist. Autumn's eyes were drawn to it, causing another faint blush to tint her cheeks. I wondered how she would react if she could see the design that extended up to my shoulder in a mix of artistic styles.

Sliding one card free from the holder, I passed it to her across the glass top of my desk. "Tell your friend to give me a call or drop by any time."

Ninety-five percent of my clients came from referrals, and I was already curious about Nadine and what kind of men she was interested in. Would she be the client that tested my abilities? Doubtful. There wasn't much I hadn't seen over the years, and the task was becoming more and more mundane with each match. I stifled a sigh and resisted the urge to run my fingers through my thick golden blond hair.

Autumn took the card and gathered her knit cardigan draped over the back of the chair, slipping it over her shoulders. She flashed me one last grin. "Talk soon, okay?"

"Keep me updated," I reminded her. The second she slipped out of my office, the doorway was immediately filled by my nosy secretary. Today she wore all black, creating a stark contrast to the long bright purple hair piled on top of her head in a loose bun, with pieces left down to frame her heart-shaped face. Jazmine wrinkled her diamond-studded nose, causing her neatly manicured eyebrows to furrow over eerie pale-green eyes. She chewed on a piece of gum, smacking her fuchsia lips as she pointed at me. "No. That doesn't count."

I smirked and tapped my desktop. "Pay up."

"No," she repeated, popping one hand on her narrow hip while flipping me off with the other. "The bet was they'd have a full-on make-out session. A chaste kiss at the end of the date doesnotcount."

Someone had been eavesdropping as usual. "Come on, Jaz. That's like foreplay in the highest form for our strait-laced, tightly wound Todd."

"Doesn't count," she continued to argue. "You lost, so you're buying."

"Fine." My lips twitched in amusement as I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet. "I'll buy your damn coffee. The usual? What was it again? Can't remember since I always win."

A rumbling laugh vibrated my chest at the way she narrowed her eyes. "Hazelnut with half and half, you dick."

With a yawn and a desperate need for my afternoon coffee, I grabbed my wallet from my drawer and slid it into the back pocket of my stonewash jeans. I rounded my desk and walked past her, entering my small, modernly sleek lobby that was both professional and polished in appearance. A black leather sofa faced two coordinating wingback chairs, and a sangria-colored rug was centered between them. Throughout the rest of the room, bright pops of color from throw pillows and accent pieces contrasted with the black-and-white art mounted on the walls, and eclectic silver vases held fresh orchids, which were not the easiest to find in the winter. The warm scent of vanilla saturated the air—because the natural scent encouraged relaxation and was the least offensive. I aimed to please my clients, even if it wasn't my favorite.

"You need to hurry and get back pretty quickly, though. Sherry Laughlin will be here soon, and she is having some kind of crisis." Jazmine was hot on my heels as I reached the front door, stopping to grab my brown leather jacket from the black metal coat tree.

I cocked a brow as I pulled my coat on. "What exactly does this crisis entail?"

"Cold feet." Jazmine huffed in exasperation. "She's one ofthose. All that time and hard work and then,boom. Frostbite nipping at her toes when she finally gets what she wanted."

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