Page 16 of Forty, Flirty & Fake-ly Yours

Though I’ve been thinking about the man for the past twelve hours, the reality that he exists didn’t seem to hit me until I’m faced with the fact that he’s in the front room of my office.

"He's wearing Patagonia," Olivia continues, peering through my office blinds. "Like, expensive Patagonia. The kind that says 'I could buy this whole building but I'm pretending to be casual about it.'"

"Of course he is." I smooth down my own outfit – a vintage-inspired green blouse and dark shirt that suddenly feel like armor. “And you said he had reinforcements?"

“Yup. Tall, blonde, looks like she eats contracts for breakfast. And—" Olivia's eyes widen. "Oh no."

"What?"

“I forgot. Dani invited her Sunday night date here.”

“So?”

“He’s a clown.”

“That’s a little harsh.”

Liv’s green eyes blink at me. “No, as in an actual clown. Pennywise get-up and everything.”

“You’re kidding.” I'm at the window before I can stop myself. Sure enough, our newly hired matchmaker and my best friend's sister is standing in the lobby, caught between an extremely expensive-looking lawyer in Louboutins and what appears to be Bozo the Business Professional - complete with red nose and briefcase.

"He's one of her SecureMatch dating matches," Olivia explains. "Apparently, he thinks surprising her at work with balloon animals will win her over."

"Why is he wearing a suit with the clown makeup?"

"According to Dani's texts, he's trying to show he can be professional and fun. You know, work-life balance?"

I'm about to respond when I spot Grayson Dixon walking towards my office door. Even in just a button-down shirt and slacks, the man looks like he just walked off a photoshoot for men’s cologne.

The events of last night flash through my mind – the wine stain, the rain, that kiss that was definitely just for show but somehow felt like...

"Oh God," I mutter. “What the hell am I doing?”

"The smart thing.” Olivia's grinning now. "Though you might want to rescue him from?—"

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Dani's clown announces to our entire lobby. "Watch as I transform these ordinary balloons into a symbol of true love!"

Through the glass walls of my office, I watch in horror as my new path to matchmaking success finds himself caught between a determined street performer and his power-suited lawyer.

"Should we..." Olivia starts.

"Hide? Yes."

"I was going to say help, but?—"

A knock on my office door makes us both jump.

"Rosalind," Grayson calls out, and just like last night, the way he says my name does something to my pulse rate. “Morning. I believe we have some terms to discuss."

Behind him, his lawyer navigates around a half-formed balloon giraffe.

Through the window, I can see Dani attempting to explain to her clown suitor that workplace performances weren't exactly what she meant by "showing initiative."

"Terms," I manage. “Of course. Come on in.”

“Much obliged.” He and his lawyer step in, as Liv steps out. Somehow, he seems even taller than he did last night. "ThoughI have to admit, your lobby entertainment is more creative than most corporate meetings I attend."

“We do our best.” I clear my throat. “So…did the ring hunt go okay? After you left last night?"

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