Page 1 of Stripe Theory

PROLOGUE

Gerri Wilder paused at the entrance to the Plaza Hotel’s grand ballroom, basking in the satisfaction of another successful match. The glittering space before her would have made any dragon proud—golden scale patterns adorned every surface, from the shimming table runners to the metallic wallpaper that caught the light like precious gems.

Floral arrangements burst with fiery reds and oranges, their dramatic height making them look like flames frozen in mid-dance. At each place setting, crystal dragon figurines perched protectively over hand-calligraphed name cards, their faceted eyes catching and scattering light across the crisp white tablecloths.

“Only the Drakers,” Gerri murmured, adjusting her red-and-gold dress—chosen specifically to complement the dragon theme because a good matchmaker always thought of the details. The dress sparkled as she moved, creating the illusion of flames dancing across the fabric. She’d paired it with golden heels that clicked satisfyingly against the marble floor, announcing her presence with each step.

“Gerri!” a voice called out. “You look absolutely magnificent!”

Turning, Gerri spotted Dr. Evadne Andrews waving from near the champagne fountain—a masterpiece of engineering that made the bubbly cascade down crystal tiers shaped like dragon wings. The effect was both elegant and slightly ridiculous, exactly the kind of over-the-top touch that made shifter celebrations so entertaining.

“Evadne, darling!” Gerri air-kissed her cheeks. “That dress is stunning on you.”

“This old thing?” Evadne smoothed the midnight blue silk that complemented her silver hair perfectly. “I had it made specially. The designer nearly fainted when I asked for actual silver thread in the embroidery, but I told him, ‘My daughter is marrying into a dragon shifter family—subtlety is not what we’re aiming for.’“

“Speaking of aiming for things,” a new voice chimed in, “I see you managed to hit the dress code perfectly, Gerri.”

Nellie Draker appeared beside them, resplendent in a gown that literally seemed to shift colors as she moved, the fabric designed to mimic iridescent dragon scales. Her dark hair was swept up in an elaborate style held in place by golden clips shaped like tiny dragons.

“Nellie! The decorations are absolutely incredible.” Gerri gestured at the transformed space. “Though I have to ask—are those actual dragon scales worked into the centerpieces?”

“Just a few shed ones,” Nellie said with a wink. “Mixed in with the flowers. Talon contributed them himself. Said if he had to sit through a formal luncheon, he at least wanted his mark on it.”

“Speaking of Talon,” Evadne nodded toward the far side of the room, “look at them. Have you ever seen two people more in love?”

They all turned to watch the newly engaged couple. Talon Draker cut an impressive figure in his tailored suit, hisprotective stance and occasional shimmer of scales beneath his skin marking him clearly as a dragon shifter. Beside him, Dr. Asher Andrews gestured animatedly as she explained something to their gathered guests, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. Every few sentences, she’d glance up at Talon, who gazed at her with such obvious adoration that Gerri had to suppress a satisfied sigh.

“You know,” Evadne said softly, “I never would have thought to match my scientifically-minded daughter with a dragon shifter. When you first suggested it, Gerri, I thought you’d finally lost your touch.”

“Lost my touch?” Gerri pressed a hand to her chest in mock offense. “I’ll have you know my touch is perfectly intact, thank you very much.”

Evadne added, “Though I have to say, the temperature thing does make family dinners interesting. We had to replace all our regular glasses with heat-resistant crystal after Talon accidentally melted three of them while nervous about asking for Asher’s hand.”

“He didn’t!” Nellie gasped.

“Oh, he did. My husband thought it was hilarious.”

Nellie sighed. “That reminds me of our own courtship days. My husband set our first dinner table on fire.”

“The passion of dragons,” Gerri said sagely, then ruined the effect by winking. “Never a dull moment with shifter romances.”

A waiter appeared with champagne, and Gerri noted with approval that the glasses were indeed made of extra-thick crystal. She accepted one, raising it in a toast. “To unlikely matches.”

“To love that transcends species,” Evadne added.

“And to fireproof furniture,” Nellie finished, making them all laugh.

As their glasses clinked, Gerri’s matchmaker’s instincts tingled. Her gaze swept the room, automatically cataloging potential matches with the precision of a master artist examining a blank canvas.

Her attention fell on two women seated at a corner table—one in burgundy that complemented her classic beauty, the other in shimmering silver that matched her academic air.

“Oh ho,” she murmured. “Now this is interesting.”

“I know that look,” Evadne said. “Who’s your next victim?”

“Victims? Me?” Gerri batted her eyelashes innocently. “I prefer to think of them as... beneficiaries of my expertise. Speaking of which, if you’ll excuse me, ladies. I see some old friends I should greet.”

She made her way through the crowd, stopping frequently to accept congratulations and deflect good-natured accusations about her matchmaking schemes.

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