Page 4 of Bargain Match

At least she stayed until Hadley finished high school. But she left town again before the ink was even dry on our diplomas.

This time, she’d sworn, she’d really found the man of her dreams.

I think that was a couple of guys ago.

Still, I’m not like that. When I’m with a woman, I’m with her. I don’t like playing pretend or faking it just to get along.

And I’m definitely not going to act like I have feelings for a complete stranger when I’m already in love with someone.

But Hadley, true to her tenacious spirit, doesn’t give up. When she shows up at my door with a box of donuts that spells out, “PLEASE” I realize it's time to make a phone call of my own.

After I clarify a few facts, I agree to meet Hadley for lunch at the Elk Shack, the small bar and grill in town.

I still think this idea of hers is crazy. At least the way she has it spelled out.

But now that I’ve had some time to mull it over, and make a couple of modifications, it might actually be a good thing. Not just for our business, but for us. Personally.

Hadley is stirring a glass of Diet Coke when I arrive.

“Well?” she asks hopefully.

“I have a few stipulations.”

Her lips curve up. “I’m sure you do.”

“First, we have to be honest with our dates.”

She frowns. “But?—”

“I don’t think either of us should be in the business of breaking complete strangers’ hearts, just because we need to make a couple of loan payments.”

“I suppose that’s fair.” She wrinkles her nose. “I would guess most people who applied for this are doing it for the experience. So that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“And we have to be upfront about the money too.”

“Fine. Is there anything else?”

“Just this.” I swallow past a lump in my throat. “At least try to be open to the process.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…” I clear my throat. “I worry about you. I worry… I worry you’ve tried so hard not to be like your mom that you won’t even consider the possibility of falling in love.”

She leans back in her seat to stare at me in surprise. “You want me to fall in love?”

“I didn’t say that.” Fuck, this was so much easier when I had this conversation with myself in the mirror before I drove over here. “Just… be open to the possibility that somewhere out there, maybe there’s a person who will love you and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”

She shakes her head. “That’s not what this is about.”

“But it could be.”

She stares at the laminated menu in front of her, picking at the frayed edges. I hold my breath until she nods.

“I won’t promise to fall in love. But I’ll promise to give the guy a chance.”

“That’s all I ask.”

“So.” She lifts her bright, blue gaze to mine hopefully. “Do we have a deal?”

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