Page 32 of Twist of Date

“Layla.” My breath hitches as I wait for Ruth to call me out. “Do you have any clients who would benefit from a mixer?”

I let out a breath. “Yes, actually, I could identify one or two.”

“Perfect, let’s get this scheduled. Nellie, can you take the lead on this?” Ruth directs her question to the client coordinator. She nods and jots down some notes.

Lani speaks again, “I was hoping to set up a speed dating event next month as well. Our singles database has seen an influx in new sign-ups since Valentine’s Day. I know we normally don’t do two events in the same month, but does anyone have any objections?”

Collectively, as a team, we all agree that it’s fine. Our singles who attend our dating events don’t normally find themselves at our mixers.

I love our speed dating events, and the idea of getting Hazel and Stella out to this one makes me a tad excited. The two promised me last week that they would come to the next one we held, not realizing we were going to have one so soon.

“I would also like to host this event at LACE. I’ve been trying to get the place on our partner list, but since the owner is now a client, he’s interested in the partnership,” Lani adds.

Inwardly, I groan. Outwardly, my face stays neutral.

Ruth grins. “That’s a fabulous idea.” The rest of the group agrees and I suddenly find myself ready to get out of this meeting so I don’t have to hear another mention of the man who keeps finding himself in my path.

Fortunately, the meeting wraps up and I hightail it out of the conference room before I have a run-in with Ruth. She’ll find me, but if I get a head start, I might just have a chance to get my game face on first.

Chapter 8

YOU'RE A HORN DOG

COLE

As if Iwalked into an alternative reality, I don’t believe for one second this type of experience is normal. No, because the normal dude does not get a request to attend a social mixer, only to show up with several women who are specifically here to meet him.

Shit, this whole thing is way too much like a dating show for my liking. Travis won’t even believe me when I tell him about this later. I don’t even believe me.

I’m sitting at a small but well stocked bar in a back party room at a restaurant downtown. The space is a decent size, but maybe a little larger than needed for this event HEA is holding here tonight.

Ruth told me to show up at seven and that the event would last about two hours or so, explaining to me that a mixer is a way for her to observe some potential matches in person, whatever the hell that means.

So I came, I saw, and then booked it to the bar for a beer.

“How does a lucky bastard like yourself get something like this set up for him?” The bartender asks me as he dries some glasses.

“Fuck if I know, man,” I tell him, taking a drink. He chuckles.

“I wasn’t given a lot of info on this event I was assigned to work, but it seems as if all these ladies are here for you. You got a magic dick or something?”

I grin at him over the rim of my glass. I do, but I don’t make it a habit of boasting about my assets. “Or something,” I tell him.

He whistles. “Well, I’m here all night. This should be interesting. Feel free to throw any leftovers my way.”

He’s right about this being interesting, but his comment about tossing him leftovers doesn’t sit right. Instead of potentially saying something that might cause a scene, I swivel in my seat, away from him, and scan the room. When I got here, there were a few women sitting at some tables chatting. A few more have arrived, as well as some men. I saw Ruth when I came in, who told me to stay near the bar and not to mingle with any of the ladies. She gave me a look that was eerily similar to one my grandma gave me when I was young, about to get into trouble.

Good thing I know how to follow directions.

Glancing at my watch, I see that it’s about five after. I’m ready to get this party over with. My eyes immediately catch on the gorgeous brunette who’s just walked into the room with an older gentleman. He’s grinning down at her and my blood starts to rush.

Seeing Layla with another man causes some feelings I’ve never felt before. One may call it jealousy, but I’m not completely positive as I’m not a jealous dude.

She returns his smile as she talks. Whatever she’s saying has him clued in only on her. That’s when I realize that several of the women here are older. Forties maybe? They all steal glances at him, tittering between themselves. But of course the man doesn’t take notice.

Of course he doesn’t because when Layla James speaks, you listen. She’s the type of woman who captures all of your attention.

She leads the man over toward the bar, and once she gets about ten feet away, that’s when her gaze catches mine.

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