Page 25 of Clueless Romeo

When it cameto my work, I had several rules. The main one was pretty simple. Unless I was attending a wedding or attending to a client on the verge of screwing up my success rate, weekends were reserved for relaxing.

So on Saturday morning, I wondered why I was seated behind my desk, combing through the few potential clients that could be a match for CJ. But I knew the truth. CJ had sent back the questionnaire late last night, and I couldn't wait until Monday to start working on his future relationship—not that he was aware of my goal.

I'd finally found a challenge, something that stirred the repetitive daily tasks that had become nothing more than routine. The shine of my job had worn dull. But now that CJ had added a spark, the same energy from when I'd first started the business had returned.

After narrowing the choices down to the three profiles pulled up in separate tabs on my desktop screen, I read through two of them, mentally marking them as possible matches, but not sold.

I had purposely saved the current profile for last because I was already sure it would be the one I went forward with if CJ agreed.

Nate Michaels was a handsome guy at six-six and had striking green eyes. His skin was a russet color stretched over a muscled frame highlighting his athletic form. As a former pitcher in the minor leagues, he and Caleb would have an athletic background in common. Neither had mentioned other sports in the things they liked, so that was a gamble.

I tapped my desk as I scanned the rest of the profile. Nate owned a restaurant downtown, a ritzy place that brought men and women right to his front door. He didn't need me because he had a hard time finding people who were interested in him. Nate needed me to filter out the ones with the wrong motives. He'd been burned by money-hungry men and women only interested in the clout and material things he could provide them. His sister had been my client before sending her brother to my doorstep two months ago. She was now engaged to marry the man I had introduced her to.

Honestly, I'd started to think Nate would land in my small portfolio of clients that I simply couldn't match. But now I had CJ.

I hummed to myself as I read the preferences. Nate's ideal date was taking someone to a five-star restaurant that served six courses, followed by a nightcap at an upscale bar. He was the exact opposite of CJ, who preferred low-key establishments more suited for hanging out than an actual date. That could be a problem, but something I could run by Nate. That was why I left the other two men as potential partners in case neither Nate nor CJ was willing to compromise.

Ignoring the fact that it was the weekend, I grabbed the phone on my desk and hit the speaker button before I entered Nate's number.

As the phone rang, I leaned back in my chair.

"Roman?" Nate answered in a deep voice that somehow still sounded bright and happy.

"Nate." I grinned, having learned it put a positive spin on your tone of voice that came across as welcoming. "How are you?"

"Can't complain. But I'd rather it be summer on the golf course instead of skiing in Colorado."

"Colorado?" I lifted a brow.

"My sister and Aaron's wedding," he reminded me.

"Ah, of course. The happy couple." I'd been invited to the wedding, but I didn't attend destination events due to my demanding schedule and the fact that I simply didn't want to.

"Thanks to you," he agreed. "What's up?"

I leaned forward, elbows on my desk. "I have a new client. Someone I'd like you to take a look at."

"Yeah?" he asked, interest clear in his tone. "I'll be back at the end of the week. Want me to stop by?"

I nodded though he couldn't see the gesture. "Absolutely. Give Jazmine a call, and I'll see you at your convenience."

"Will do. But Roman, if you think this guy could be the one I'm looking for, don't set him up on any other dates yet." He chuckled.

My lips twitched in amusement as I agreed. "You have my word."

And I meant it—for the most part. I needed to see what CJ thought once I showed him Nate's profile. Although he'd lost the bet, there was a real chance it could take the better part of the week to convince him to go on a date. "Enjoy the slopes and give the happy couple my best."

"You got it."

The call disconnected, and I turned off the speaker. There was no reason to wait to talk to CJ. The more time I had to convince him, the better. So I gathered my phone and keys before collecting my coat on the way out.

CJ's Jeep was parked along the curb, so I headed next door. Peering through the glass, I saw Caleb leaning against a newly installed counter, talking on the phone. When he spotted me, he grinned and waved me in. I took the invitation, pushing the door open and stepping inside. I glanced around the space that had come a long way since the two had arrived, but didn't spot CJ.

"Christa, one sec. Roman's here." Caleb listened and said, "Yeah. Okay. One sec." He pulled the phone away from his ear. "Hey, man. What's up?"

I stuffed my hands in my pockets. "I was actually looking for CJ. He around?"

Caleb shook his head. "Nah, he grabbed a ball a little bit ago to go shoot some hoops. He'll probably be there for a while. It helps him chill out."

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