Page 77 of Perfect (mis)Match

“This isn’t a regular Saturday,” I grumbled back at her with my eyes still closed, like a little kid pretending to be asleep.

“You’re right, it’s the morning after our triumphant partnership with Mercedes. Life is good.”

I knew she was trying to spin the evening and focusing on the positive to make me forget about the end of it, but Vincent’s cold dismissal was all I could think about. Yes, I was thrilled about sealing the deal with Mercedes, but despite what she told me, life wasn’t just about business.

Maybe she and Vincent believed it, but my heart wouldn’t allow me to.

“Are you still standing there?” I asked.

“Duh.”

I sat up and flung my blanket off in a huff. “You aresoannoying!”

“Thank you. Now put a hat on that mop of yours and let’s go. I’m starving.”

I had zero appetite, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get it back. I had a headache, no doubt due to the combination of too much champagne, not enough food, and a massive helping of heartbreak. The last thing I wanted to do was go out into the sunshine and wade through the happy people stuffing their faces with croissants.

But Darcy was relentless—and once we were outside, I was surprised to find that Ididfeel just the tiniest bit better. Fresh air was clearing my head much more effectively than sulking in bed could have accomplished. Not that I was going to admit to Darcy that she’d been right.

“Remember when we talked about renting a booth here for Strapped?” Darcy laughed. “We were thinking so small. Look at us now, hooked up withtheangel investor for women-owned businesses.”

“You’re right,” I finally agreed, trying to summon up some happiness for what was actually a huge deal. “We weren’t thinking big enough.”

Darcy slung her arm around my shoulder and squeezed me. “Not anymore. All of our dreams are going to come true! First, our flagship product. Then camera bags, then purses, then the nextthing you know, we’ll be fighting for shelf space against Kate Spade and Michael Kors.”

I managed a smile. “I like how you think.”

Darcy pulled away and turned to face me. “Hey. I know our good news is under a black cloud thanks to your bosshole. And I’m so sorry he was such a dick to you last night. He doesn’t deserve you, Piper. Do you hear me?”

She waited until I looked into her eyes and nodded before she kept going.

“You’re going to get through this. I promise. You’ll quit, and when you stop seeing him every day, you’ll forget about him. And no matter what, I’ll be here for you every step of the way.”

She pulled me into a hug, which triggered an uncomfortable tingly sensation in my nose. I didn’t want to cry in the middle of the farmers’ market, but a few tears squeezed out of my eyes anyway.

“Hey, hey,” she said when we pulled apart. “We’ve got this. Okay? Go ahead and feel bleak for now, as long as you promise to remember how much good is in your life. We’re on the cusp of an amazing adventure together!”

Her excitement wasalmostcontagious.

“It’s going to be great,” I sniffled and wiped my nose with the back of my hand. “Ugh, I need a tissue.”

“Hey, hey, looks like someone’s got allergies.”

I turned and there was Matthew, the second-to-last person I wanted to see on such a bleak morning.

“Ugh,” Darcy said, wrinkling her nose at him like she smelled sour milk. “You just don’t know how to take a hint, do you?”

“I have no idea what you mean,” he said with a good-natured laugh. “I’m just out here enjoying the beautiful day, hanging out, buying fresh produce. And enjoying some serendipity running into this one!”

He reached out to give my foot a little tap with his.

“Matthew, it’s not serendipity, and you know it,” I said, leveling him with an angry stare. “Youneverwanted to come to the market with me when we were, uh, doing whatever we were doing. It sure as hell wasn’t dating.”

“What are you talking about? We had a good thing together.” Matthew stared at me intently, like he could will me into believing his absolute bullshit.

Darcy sputtered out a shrill laugh.

Matthew shot her an angry look, then refocused on me. “Hey, can we talk alone for a few minutes?”

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