Page 109 of Matchmaking the CEO

Colton blinked. "Do you think that's a good idea? She needs to work afterward."

"I know, but I don't think it's smart to wait. I’m on edge. She’ll pick up on that."

"I'm with you," Gabe said. "One look at your sorry-ass face and she’ll know something’s off. You're going to need all the luck in the world."

"That sounds so encouraging," I said.

“It wasn’t meant to be encouragement," Gabe clarified. “Just the honest truth. Or ugly truth. Depends how you want to look at it."

We all fell into silence as we helped ourselves to Grandmother's roast chicken and all the other fixings.

No, it didn't have to be ugly, but I agreed with Gabe: I did want luck on my side.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Natalie

"Oh, honey, don't benervous," Mom said in the phone. My earbuds’ batteries needed charging, so I was holding the phone between my ear and my shoulder.

I had a couple hours until the guests arrived, and I used the time to call my parents. It was nearly midnight for them, but both were night owls.

“I am, but it’s the good kind of nerves.”

"I'm glad you're having so much fun doing this."

"I’ve always liked it. I helped you for so many years."

"Yes, it's true, but it was a bit different because I was the one bearing the responsibility for the event. I didn't know if that would take the fun out of it for you."

"On the contrary, I'm really enjoying it.”

“Still, I hope a real job offer will pop up soon."

My heart sighed. I knew my parents would be terribly disappointed if I ended up not using my expensive college degree. If I was honest, I’d be disappointed in myself too, mostly because I'd wasted so many years of my life studying something that didn't make me too happy.

“How is everyone?" I asked Mom.

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