Page 5 of Saving the CEO

“But what about lunch?”

“I’ve got mine in the microwave.”

“It’s cold by now. You might as well eat here. The food’s a lot tastier than whatever is waiting for you at the office.”

Devin hesitated. Food didn’t matter much to him; as long as it curbed his appetite, he ate it. There were always other, far more pressing matters to spend time and effort on. But the dishes on the table did smell better than the same tray of indistinguishable grub he ate day after day. His mouth watered, tempting him to stay. The bright smile on Scarlett’s face invited him as well. It offered him the same surprising warmth and openness that he’d seen in her photo.

He was both perturbed and intrigued at the same time.

How was it that she could be so friendly toward someone she’d just met? Or, perhaps, this was her show of good customer service? If so, it was at least a step in the right direction. He really ought to give her a chance to prove herself before he wrote her off. That was what his grandfather had done for him.

“If it helps, you can think of this as a working lunch,” Scarlett suggested as she returned to her chair. “I’m sure you have questions about this whole matchmaking process. I can see the wheels turning in your head.”

Devin blinked in surprise. Was he that easy to read or was she that good at figuring people out? “You’re right. I do have questions.”

“I’m sure Scarlett has all the answers!” Bekah exclaimed as she waved their server down for a menu. She passed it to Devin and motioned for him to take a look. “Order whatever you like, big bro. My treat!”

“Thanks,” he uttered, trying hard not to roll his eyes. Bekah had received a sizeable inheritance from their grandfather, which she’d been spending much too quickly for his liking. The purse sitting on the chair beside hers looked new and expensive. He’d need to address her shopping habits with her again, but that would have to wait for another time.

He sat down next to Scarlett and quickly perused the menu. Once he’d placed his order with the server, he found himself at the center of attention. Two pairs of eyes, one blue like his and the other a vibrant green, stared back at him.

“What questions do you have for me?” Scarlett asked. There was that smile of hers again, shining bright like a lighthouse. He wondered how much coffee was responsible for it. Or was she naturally this peppy? “I’m happy to answer whatever you ask. Nothing’s off the table.”

“Nothing, you say?”

“Nothing. I understand how daunting this whole process can be, especially if you haven’t dated much before.”

He quirked a brow at her response. “What gives you the impression I haven’t dated much?”

“Bekah mentioned it.”

“She did, did she?” He eyed his sister, whose mouth was conveniently too full to answer.

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Scarlett continued, her tone full of sympathy. “I know a man as busy as you doesn’t have much time to date. But don’t you worry, that’s what I’m here for. I’ll have you back in the saddle before you know it.”

He wasn’t sure what tales his sister had told Scarlett about him, but he didn’t appreciate being pitied. The concern in her voice made him feel like a pet project of hers. Like some kind of stray animal that she’d found on the side of the road and brought home to rehabilitate. The thought left a bad taste in his mouth. He grabbed the glass of water their server had brought and chugged it down.

Everything about this arrangement was wrong. If it weren’t for his grandfather’s will, he would never even consider enlisting the help of a matchmaker. Devin couldn’t believe he’d succumbed to this level of desperation. But there was one thing he needed to make clear to Scarlett. “For the record, I’m neither embarrassed nor helpless. I am short on time, though, so I hope you know what you’re doing. If you don’t mind me asking, how much experience do you have and how many couples have you successfully matched?”

Her cheeks pinkened and she sat up straighter in her chair. The bun on her head swayed back and forth with the effort, but her expression remained unfazed. “I have one word for both of your questions and that word isenough. It’s not always about quantity, Mr. Kendall. In my line of work, quality is what matters.”

Devin smirked. She thought fast on her feet; he had to give her that. Scarlett had what his grandfather would have called gumption. Even with her lack of experience, he’d be willing to give her a chance based on her wit alone. A fiery spark lit up her eyes as she held his gaze, unblinking.

He was so caught up in their unspoken staring game, he didn’t notice that the server had dropped off his dish until he smelled the aroma of garlic butter. Hunger won out, and he turned his focus to his plate of sirloin steak with pasta. In between bites, he remarked, “I like your confidence. I look forward to seeing you bring your A game.”

“I will. I promise to do my all to help you find your perfectly imperfect match.”

“What do you mean by that, Scarlett?” Bekah asked. “Don’t you want to find Devin a perfect match?”

Devin nodded. His sister had spoken his thoughts out loud. “It sounds like you’re giving yourself an easy out before you even start. Are you or are you not going to find me the perfect match?”

“Of course, I am,” Scarlett reassured them. “But let me explain. The fact of the matter is that it’s impossible to find anyone a perfect match. They don’t exist. No person that ever walked this earth is perfect, except for Jesus. Everyone has faults and hang-ups and imperfections. Even you, Mr. Kendall.”

He stopped chewing long enough to glance at her out of the corner of his eye. Was he imagining things, or did she sound particularly giddy when she’d said that last line? He swallowed his bite of steak before turning toward her. “Are you this blunt with all your clients?”

“If by blunt you mean honest, then yes, I am. I give realistic expectations when it comes to dating. I’m here to set you up for success.”

“So, what you’re saying—”

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