Page 2 of Stripe Theory

“No, Mrs. Henderson, I’m not planning to match your grandson with anyone at the moment.”

“Yes, Mr. Simons, I remember you’re perfectly happy being single.”

“Of course not, Ms. Rodriguez, I would never dream of interfering with your love life... unless you’re interested?”

By the time she reached the corner table, her smile had grown genuine. “Well, if it isn’t my two favorite conspiracy partners! Jewel Kedi and Lumina Voss-Sky, looking absolutely stunning as always.”

“Gerri!” Lumina stood to embrace her, the silver fabric of her dress catching the light like starlight. Trust a professor’s wife to make even formal wear look intellectually elegant. “Another successful match, I see. Though I’m still not sure how you convinced a theoretical physicist to date a dragon.”

“Oh, that was easy,” Gerri settled into an empty chair, arranging her dress for maximum dramatic effect. “Dragonshoard treasure, and what’s more precious than knowledge? The real challenge was teaching Talon to control wanting to mate when his dragon demanded.”

“Really?” Jewel asked, her emerald dress shifting as she leaned forward with interest. The color perfectly complemented her natural grace, making her look every inch the distinguished shifter matriarch she was.

“For sure,” Gerri confirmed with a grin. “Poor boy got so excited about Asher’s research that steam started coming out his ears. Literally. The maitre’d nearly called the fire department.”

“Speaking of fire departments,” Lumina’s eyes twinkled, “remember that fundraiser you organized last month? The one with the calendar?”

“Ah yes, the ‘Shifters in Service’ charity calendar.” Gerri’s smile turned wicked. “Amazing how many single shifters suddenly felt called to public service when they heard about that photo shoot. Though I maintain I had nothing to do with matching three of them with the photographers.”

“Nothing at all?” Jewel’s elegant eyebrow arched skeptically.

“Well, maybe a tiny nudge here and there.” Gerri waved her hand dismissively. “But really, when you put attractive people in the same room with good causes and mood lighting, nature takes its course.”

“Nature with a helping hand from Gerri Wilder.” Lumina laughed. “You’re impossible.”

“I prefer to think of myself as improbably successful.” Gerri adjusted her golden bangles with a flourish. “Speaking of success, how are things with the foundation’s latest charity initiative, Jewel? Still keeping you busy?”

“Not nearly as busy as my son keeps himself,” Jewel replied, her fond exasperation clear. “Rehan seems to think sleep is optional when there are quarterly reports to review.”

“Ah yes, the mighty Rehan Kedi.” Gerri’s matchmaker senses tingled at the opening. “Still working himself to death running both the company and the pride?”

“Worse than ever,” Jewel sighed. “Last week, his assistant caught him sleeping in his office chair at four in the morning. The poor boy had shifted in his sleep and nearly clawed through his custom Italian leather chair.”

“Not the one he had custom made?” Gerri gasped in mock horror.

“The very same. Cost more than most cars, but apparently made a very expensive cat scratch post.”

“Well, that won’t do at all,” Gerri tutted. “Such a waste of good leather. And speaking of brilliant workaholics who need intervention...” She turned to Lumina with practiced casualness. “I haven’t seen your youngest at any recent events. How is Alora?”

Lumina’s face lit up at the mention of her daughter. “Oh, she’s wonderful! Though also working too hard. Last time I visited her lab, I found her having a full conversation with her cat about genetic sequencing.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Jewel offered.

“The cat was wearing a lab coat and safety goggles.”

“She made her cat wear protective gear?” Gerri couldn’t hide her delight.

“She said if her cat was going to be her research assistant, he had to follow proper lab protocols.” Lumina shook her head fondly. “I didn’t have the heart to tell her the goggles kept sliding off his ears.”

“A cat?” Jewel’s lips twitched.

“Oh yes,” Lumina grinned. “She had business cards made.”

Gerri nearly choked on her champagne. “Business cards? For a cat?”

“With little paw prints in the corner,” Lumina confirmed. “She gives them out at conferences. Says it helps break the ice when discussing her research.”

“Research?” Jewel leaned forward slightly, trying to look casual but not quite succeeding. “What exactly does she study? Besides feline business card design, that is.”

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