Page 13 of The Love Bargain

The screen lights up with an incoming call from Ryland. I answer immediately.

“You got it, Bean. It’s time to pay up, but remember, you did a good job. It isn’t your fault Margo wasn’t right for me.”

“Um… okay.”

“I wasn’t in the right headspace.”

“Oh. I’m sorry about the timing. It wasn’t ideal, with the trial and all the distractions.”

Matchmaking is a delicate business, and now I feel guilty, as though I forced him into doing something as a favor to me.

I should have known this wouldn’t be smooth sailing, but I rushed ahead, believing everything would work out.

Instead, all I’ve done is create more mess for both Ryland and Margo. I make a quick note in my diary to call her agent right away.

“That isn’t the reason. There’s someone else on my mind.” Ryland chuckles, and the deep rumble sends a shiver up my spine.

“Who?” I blurt, sounding more defensive than I intended.

“Meet me for dinner. We’ll talk more in person.”

I roll my eyes. Awesome. He’s being cryptic when I need him to spell things out clearly. I don’t need more mysteries to solve.

“Sure. I owe you, and thanks for introducing Margo to your friend. Did you know Elite Connections offers a referral fee for successful matches?”

“Keep your money, Bean. And wear your best dress because we’re dining at Blue Lotus.” His voice is low and husky. I’m so turned on right now I can’t think straight.

“Wow. That sounds amazing.” My voice is full of breathy excitement, and my mouth pulls into the widest smile.

“Excellent. Listen, Bean, I need to go, but I’ll call later, and we can discuss the details.” Ryland ends the call.

It’s a good thing I’m already sitting because I’d fall over in a stiff breeze.

“Blue Lotus” is a three-star Michelin restaurant located inside the Elysium Cove resort.

It’s the most exclusive restaurant in the area and the type of restaurant you’d go to for a special occasion, not a regular dinner with a friend or business associate.

Well, unless you’re super wealthy, like the new folks who seem to be flocking to Bailey’s Cove since the airport opened.

The Elysium Cove resort attracted new people, and real estate prices are climbing every day.

Crap, I need my brain to start working again and stop getting distracted thinking about irrelevant things.

Real estate prices? Really Sabine?

I need to focus and solve the problem at hand before things spiral out of control.

I need to find another high-flying client and start over in order to save my business or rethink the business model altogether.

Although Ryland hasn’t been explicit about his feelings, he wouldn’t make such a bold move if he wasn’t serious. There’s too much at risk.

If he has feelings for me, I want to explore what could happen and find out where things could lead. Elite Connections was my focus until now, but I can’t deny the way I feel.

What if I can’t find a client and my business fails? I’m determined to succeed, but I believe I’ll find another way. I’ll pick up the pieces, pivot and come up with a new idea.

I’ll pay Zane what I owe, but not at the expense of losing Ryland because the thought makes me feel sick.

I’m determined to find a way to have it all and even more determined to show Ryland how I feel.

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