Page 5 of Stripe Theory

“And our children certainly deserve happiness,” Lumina added.

“That they do.” Gerri’s smile turned mysterious. “I have a feeling the next few months will be very interesting for all of us.”

After they left, Gerri remained at the table, watching the last of the guests depart. She lifted her champagne glass in a silent toast to the happy couple, and to the match yet to come.

“To another aloof shifter about to meet his sunshine,” she murmured. “May their collision be spectacular... and minimally destructive to laboratory equipment.”

The champagne sparkled like destiny as Gerri drank, already anticipating the fireworks when the serious tiger shifter met the brilliant scientist who would turn his world upside down. Those were always her favorite matches—the ones where opposites collided and created something magical. Or in this case, possibly explosive, given Alora’s tendency to get excited about chemical reactions.

Gerri pulled out her phone, checking her meticulously organized calendar. The charity gala was exactly three weeks away, which gave her plenty of time to ensure everything was perfect. She started making notes:

“Arrange for Alora’s research poster to be displayed near the VIP entrance. Make sure Rehan has to walk past it to reach his seat. Position Alora’s table in direct line of sight from the podium. Request that specific Bach piece Rehan likes for the first dance set. Hide all the fire extinguishers because honestly, dragons...”

“Planning another ambush?” a voice interrupted her plotting.

Gerri looked up to find Nellie Draker watching her with knowing amusement. “I prefer to think of it as arranging serendipity.”

“Like you arranged for my son to ‘accidentally’ spill coffee all over Asher’s research papers?”

“That was pure coincidence,” Gerri insisted primly. “How was I to know the coffee cart would hit that exact bump at that exact moment?”

“Mm-hmm.” Nellie’s eyes sparkled with dragon fire. “And I suppose it was also a coincidence that the only dry space available for redoing those calculations was Talon’s private office?”

“Complete chance,” Gerri agreed solemnly. “Though I will admit to suggesting he keep premium coffee and spare calculators on hand. Just in case.”

“You’re dangerous, Gerri Wilder.”

“Thank you!” Gerri beamed. “Now, speaking of danger... how do you feel about helping me arrange some tiger-themed serendipity?”

“Count me in,” Nellie said instantly. “Dragons love a good scheme almost as much as we love treasure. Who’s the target?”

“Rehan Kedi.”

Nellie’s eyebrows shot up. “The tiger pride leader? Mr. Everything-Must-Be-Alphabetized-And-Color-Coded?”

“The very same.”

“Oh, this should be good. Who’s the lucky lady?”

“Dr. Alora Sky. Brilliant scientist, chaos incarnate, owns a cat with business cards.”

Nellie threw back her head and laughed, tiny sparks dancing in the air around her. “Perfect! When do we start?”

“Already have.” Gerri showed her the phone calendar. “Though I could use some help with the seating arrangements at next month’s gala. Know any dragons who might be willing to strategically cancel their reservations at the last minute, forcing certain tables to be combined?”

“Leave it to me,” Nellie promised. “We dragons are excellent at creating controlled chaos. Emphasis oncontrolled, of course.”

“Of course,” Gerri agreed. “We want sparks to fly metaphorically, not literally. Save the actual fire for the dragons.”

Standing, she smoothed her dress and took one last look around the dragon-themed ballroom. Soon enough, she’d be planning another celebration, this one with a decidedly feline flair. But first, she had some strings to pull and coincidences to arrange.

“Time to get to work,” she told the crystal dragon figurine on the table. Its faceted eyes seemed to twinkle in agreement as she gathered her things.

Behind her, the afternoon sun caught the golden scale patterns on the tables, creating patterns that danced across the walls like prophecies. In a few months, she knew, she’d be back here celebrating another successful match. Because if there was one thing Gerri Wilder knew better than anyone, it was that love had a way of finding those who needed it most—especially with a little help from a determined matchmaker and her increasingly large network of supernatural co-conspirators.

She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to both Jewel and Lumina, suggesting they all meet for lunch next week to discuss “charitable opportunities.” By the time she reached her car, both women had enthusiastically agreed.

“Marketing strategy meeting on the books,” she murmured, then sent another text to Nellie: “Operation Tiger’s Heart is a go. Alert the dragons.”

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