Page 1 of Outspoken Hearts
CHAPTER ONE
I peer over my cat-eye reading glasses at the two files spread across my desk, tapping my cherry-red nails against the polished wood. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the Zaftig Dating Agency's windows catches the vintage brass nameplate that reads "Krissa Phillips, Senior Matchmaker," and I can't help but smile. Some days this job feels like solving the world's most delicious puzzle.
"So let me get this straight." Zara's voice floats from the cozy chair across from my desk, where she's curled up with her own stack of client files. "You want to pair the town's most outspoken creative with Mr. Perfect Public Speaker?"
"Eva Miller and James Adams." I slide the photos toward her. "Look at these two and tell me what you see."
Zara adjusts her position, tucking one leg beneath her as she studies the headshots. Her dark hair falls like a curtain as she leans forward. "Well, Eva's got that gorgeous artistic vibe going on. Those eyes could melt chocolate. And James..." She pauses, biting her lip. "Okay, he's definitely handsome in that 'I could give a TED talk and make you swoon' kind of way."
"Exactly. But that's not what I'm talking about." I stand and smooth my navy swing dress, the full skirt swishing as I move to the window. "Eva thinks she's too much for people. James thinks he has to be everything for everyone. They're both hiding behind masks."
"And you think throwing them together will magically fix that?"
I turn back to face her, one perfectly arched eyebrow raised. "Darling, I don't do magic. I do strategic emotional engineering."
Zara snorts, a sound that somehow manages to be both ladylike and completely irreverent. "Is that what we're calling it now? Because last week you called it 'romantic chaos theory.'"
"That was different. Ellie and Nate needed chaos to break through their walls." I return to my desk and flip open Eva's file. "These two need a project. Something that forces them to see each other's real strengths."
"The town branding committee?"
"The town branding committee." I grin, feeling that familiar thrill when all the pieces start clicking together. "Eva's been freelancing in UX design, and James just accepted the committee chair position. Perfect excuse for collaboration."
Zara's enormous brown eyes widen. "You're going to manipulate them into working together?"
"I prefer 'orchestrate strategic professional proximity.'" I lean back in my chair, the leather creaking softly. "Besides, the committee actually needs both their skill sets. Eva's got the creative vision, James has the leadership experience. It's not manipulation if it genuinely helps everyone involved."
Zara uncurls from her chair and pads over to my desk in her soft flats. "Okay, I'm intrigued. But what if they clash? Eva's profile says she sometimes speaks before thinking, and James is used to being the diplomatic one in every room."
"Then they'll teach each other balance." I pull out a fresh intake form from my desk drawer. "Eva will show James that it's okay to have opinions that ruffle feathers. James will show Eva that being thoughtful doesn't mean being fake."
"You sound awfully confident for someone who's about to pair two people who've probably never had a real conversation."
"Trust me." I slide the form across the desk. "Sometimes the best matches are the ones that seem impossible on paper. Remember how skeptical you were about Ellie and Nate?"
Zara's cheeks flush pink. "That's different. Ellie was obviously smitten from day one."
"And now they're planning a spring wedding." I lean forward, resting my chin on my interlaced fingers. "This is what we do, Zara. We see the potential that people can't see in themselves."
"Fine." She picks up the intake form, scanning the header. "But if this backfires and Eva tells half the town that we're meddling matchmakers..."
"Then we'll deal with that when it happens." I stand and walk to the vintage mirror hanging near the door, checking my victory rolls. "Besides, officially we're just community-minded citizens suggesting qualified volunteers for civic projects."
"Right. And I'm just a server who happens to trip into handsome men's laps."
I catch her eye in the mirror's reflection. "That worked out pretty well for you, didn't it?"
"Shut up." But she's smiling as she says it.
Returning to my desk, I pull out my phone and scroll to the contact for the town council secretary. "Margie Henderson? It's Krissa Phillips. I have a wonderful suggestion for your branding committee..."
As I explain Eva's qualifications and enthusiasm for the project, Zara settles back into her chair with the intake form. By the time I hang up, she's already started filling it out.
"Eva Miller's officially been invited to the committee orientation next week," I announce. "James will be there to present the project scope."
"And if they hate each other on sight?"
"Then we'll try plan B." I shrug, but internally I'm buzzing with confidence. "But they won't. I have a feeling about these two."
