Page 2 of Flame it Up

Gerri remained unmoving, her eyes captivated by Pyrus’s presence. “I’m hosting an event that benefits endangered species in the region,” she replied. “It’s truly shocking sometimes to see how much our existence as humans has affected so many creatures on this planet.”

Pyrus nodded in agreement. It didn’t really surprise him anymore, though. “That sounds like a worthy cause,” Pyrus said. “I would love to offer a donation if you’d accept.”

Somehow, Gerri’s grin grew larger, like it was being pulled at by string. Pyrus could have sworn that he saw color dance in her eyes like a splash of paint.

“That is awfully kind of you, but that isn’t why I offered you a seat. I’m here to help you.”

Pyrus cocked an eyebrow, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. The impulse to loosen his tie a bit more was strong, but he didn’t want Gerri to interpret his apprehension. Though maybe they were already far beyond that.

“Help me?” he scoffed. “How on earth could you help me? No offense, Gerri, but if I want something, I can get it like that.” Pyrus snapped his fingers, but Gerri did not flinch. Instead, she motioned toward his left hand draped over the chair.

“Your ring finger looks a little bare,” she said teasingly. “It appears you haven’t been able to getthatquite so easily.”

Pyrus felt himself beginning to blush, so he ran a hand over his face while letting out a smug chuckle. “What makes you think that is something I even want? And what if I already have it, huh?” Pyrus said, cupping his hands and leaning forward.

Gerri shrugged. “I can tell when shifters have yet to find their mate. There’s an air about them, like a scent that’s rather identifiable.”

A beat of silence sat between them. Pyrus looked to the floor briefly at his expensive loafers, not wanting to look rude but also not wanting to look at her. Gerri’s eyes were slicing through his resolve like a katana through paper.

“Identifiable, eh?” Pyrus whispered to the floor.

“Pyrus,” Gerri said. She leaned forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. When he looked up, they were eye-to-eye. The swimming shade of gray moved through him like a stiff wind.

“There’s nothing wrong with admitting when you need help,” she said. “That is what I’m here for. I am fate knocking at your door.”

Pyrus smirked, doing his best not to burst out laughing. “Fate?” he said.

“Yes, fate. Do you not believe in it?”

Pyrus sat up straight with Gerri’s hand sliding from his shoulder back to the stem of her glass. It was nearly empty, yet Pyrus hadn’t seen when she had taken even a sip.

“It was drilled into me at a very young age,” Pyrus said, adjusting his tie. “But I found those to be childish beliefs for people who don’t believe in hard work. I try to focus on the effort.”

Gerri’s eyes flashed. “You don’t think obtaining a mate is hard work?”

“Isn’t that what you’re telling me?” Pyrus remarked playfully. “That you will be the matchmaker and make the finding part easy for me?”

Gerri shook her head, her bob haircut cutting through the air. “My job is to bring her to you,” she said, smiling with confidence. “But it is you who has to woo her, romance her, win her over. That often takes a lot of hard work.”

Pyrus let out a long sigh. He had heard a lot from his coworkers and business partners about finding a mate in the past few years. It wasn’t that he didn’t long for it. He simply didn’t think it was something that would work for him. So he left it in the back of his mind, putting work first and having casual sex without attachment every now and then to let his hair down.

But Gerri had sniffed it out like a bloodhound.

“I suppose I am up for a challenge,” Pyrus replied.

Gerri raised her glass to him, then took the final gulp of wine. She then placed it on the table beside her and picked up a leather-bound notebook. “Here is the address for the charity event I am hosting tomorrow night,” Gerri said, scribbling. “If you attend this event, I promise you, your mate will be there.”

Pyrus raised both eyebrows. “Tomorrow night? Damn, you work fast,” Pyrus quipped.

Gerri finished writing the address and her contact information, then ripped it out and handed it to Pyrus. When she placed it into his palm, she looked at him, dead in the eyes with a look that Pyrus could only interpret as cosmic.

“Make sure you go, Pyrus,” she said assertively. “I can only find her for you. That is the job of a matchmaker. The rest is your own doing.”

Pyrus felt his heart skip a beat and chose to ignore it. “I have a few meetings to rearrange, but have no doubt, I’ll be there.”

Gerri let go of his hand, and Pyrus stood, doing up his three-button jacket.

“I hope you have a pleasant flight, Miss Wilder,” Pyrus said.

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