Page 22 of Banter & Blushes

Zoe snorts. “Well of course he’ll leave unless you give him a reason to stay.” She glares at me as if I’m a misbehaving child. “Luna, you always sell yourself short. You’re a beautiful, vibrant, intriguing woman. Cade would be lucky to have you. And he’s worth fighting for.”

When a group of noisy laughing customers wander through the door, Zoe leaps to her feet. “Tell him how you feel,” she says sternly, then jogs over and greets the hungry patrons.

I finish my pastry, but instead of enjoying it, it sits like a brick in my stomach. Am I brave enough to tell Cade Bainbridge that I’ve fallen in love with him?

As predicted,my busybody neighbor saunters through the door the minute I flip over the Open sign. “So when does a matchmaker date her own client?” Harmony asks.

“It wasn’t a date. We split a pizza,” I huff, a little too vehemently.

“Um... Several people saw you kissing Cade on the pier,” she adds.

Humiliation and embarrassment heat my neck. “The kiss was a mistake, and I made it clear to Cade that we won’t be repeating it. I’m his matchmaker and nothing more. In fact, I’ve scheduled a third match date for him, which I hold high hopes for.”

Harmony quirks an eyebrow. “If you like the man, tear up your matchmaking contract and date him.”

That sounds eerily familiar to the advice Zoe gave me this morning. Biting my lower lip, I say, “I need to do everything I can to find Cade his perfect match.”

“What if the perfect match isyou?” Harmony pats my shoulder. “The heart knows what the heart wants. You’re allowed to follow yours.” She breezes out as quickly as she came. Did the busybody provide good advice for once? Maybe I need to listen to her.

CHAPTER 13

CADE

Thankfully I refused to meet my next date at the Golden Anchor. Why tempt fate any further? As I enter The Cozy Pelican, I immediately relax when I spot Margorie. She’s chatting with a waiter, and they’re laughing about something she just said. I pause to watch. Her beauty and friendly nature shine through, but I don’t feel even a glimmer of attraction towards her. On the other hand, I’m encouraged that she looks too polite and classy to take multiple phone calls during dinner and end our date early. As long as she’s not wearing musk perfume, I have high hopes for this date.

“Margorie?” I say, stepping forward so she sees me.

She spins and gives me a beaming smile. “Cade? So nice to meet you!”

We shake politely, but there’s no electrical zing between us. I can see myself being friends with this woman, but nothing else.

“Please follow me,” the waiter she was flirting with says. He leads us to a table on the far side of the room. The ambiance here is more casual than The Golden Anchor, and I feel overdressed in my suit. Margorie is wearing a sundress and not a business suit like my previous dates. She’s lovely, and I remind myself this is my chance to solve my trust fund deadline.

I mentally straighten my shoulders, ready to romance and woo Miss McCoy, knowing that she’ll make a very acceptable Mrs. Bainbridge. I know that doesn’t sound romantic, but I threw romance away when I let Luna walk away from me last night.

We sit across from each other, spending the next several minutes exchanging small talk. The atmosphere is friendly and engaging and I start to relax. Maybe the third time is a charm for an acceptable match.

“What’s it like to head up The McCoy Trust?” I ask after we’ve talked about the weather and how beautiful the beaches are here.

She smiles and clasps her hands over her heart. “I love the work! Seeing the impact that we make in the community is so rewarding.”

Wow.Margorie’s goodness is for real. She isn’t just trying to impress me. Her genuine delight in helping others makes me feel a bit inferior, and I wonder if being married to her wouldn’t be like marrying Mother Theresa.Does she have any flaws?

“What’s the most worthwhile project that the trust has funded?” I ask.

“The new community center on Ocean Avenue. Are you familiar with it?”

I nod. “Yes, the building is stunning.”

“It is!” She raves about the building and all the community programs being offered there. After a few minutes, I tune her out. There’s no way I can get a word in edgewise, nor does she seem inclined to ask me for any input, so I politely nod and wish the waiter would return so we can place our orders.

After a few minutes, she realizes I’m not participating in this one-sided conversation.

“Oh my! I’ve been running off at the mouth, but I can’t help myself.” She smiles, then says, “Tell me a little about your work, Cade.”

Her question sounds like she’s genuinely interested, so I say, “I’m here to broker the sale of a ten-acre prime piece of beachfront property.”

A small frown tips her lips. “I hate that all the beachfront land is being snapped up by greedy developers and turned into eyesores,” she says in a slightly admonishing tone.

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