Page 1 of His Royal Matchmaker

CHAPTER 1

EMILY

My silver cocktail dress glides against my thighs as I walk past security and onto the red carpet. It feels like I’m under the spotlight, but of course no one is looking at me. I’m just another random person here, not one to compete with the celebrities.

“Stop fidgeting,” Nova says, gently guiding my hand away from where I’m nervously tucking a strand of blond hair behind my ear. “You look gorgeous. Like a pocket-sized movie star.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling. At five foot one, I’ve gotten used to the short jokes from my best friend, who towers over me in her four-inch heels.

“Says the woman who looks like she just stepped off a runway,” I reply.

The cutouts in her sleek black jumpsuit would look ridiculous on most people but somehow make her seem elegant and edgy at the same time. Her dark hair, pulled back in a complicated twist that probably took an hour to perfect, makes the look insanely polished.

“Occupational hazard,” she says with a wink. “Can’t be a Hollywood publicist without looking the part.”

I’ve been to premieres before — my job matching celebrities with their perfect partners gets me invited to plenty of industry events — but this is next level. The sidewalk has disappeared beneath a plush red carpet that stretches from the street to the theater doors, and massive posters of Ricardo Ruiz’s handsome face loom overhead, advertisingMidnight in Madrid, the romantic action film that’s generating serious award buzz.

“Wow,” I murmur. “When Ricardo said he wanted us to come to his premiere, I didn’t realize it would be… this.”

Nova laughs. “You literally introduced him to the love of his life. Did you think he’d stick you in the back row?”

I shrug, feeling a flush creep up my neck. “I was just doing my job.”

“Your job that’s made you the most sought-after matchmaker in Los Angeles,” Nova reminds me. “Own it, honey.”

She’s right, of course. Five years ago, I was struggling to get my matchmaking business off the ground. Now, I have a waiting list of celebrity clients and a reputation for creating matches that last. But sometimes, standing in front of all this glamour, I still feel like the awkward girl from Minnesota who moved to LA with big dreams and no connections.

Ahead of us, the red carpet stretches like a ruby road, dotted with stars that shine even brighter in person than on screen. Angelica Flammia, the supporting actress in Ricardo’s film, poses for photographs, her blue gown catching the light as she turns. A few feet away, the director fields questions froma cluster of reporters, gesturing enthusiastically as he speaks about his vision.

“Emily! Nova!” A woman in a structured red pantsuit waves at us from near the theater entrance. It takes me a moment to recognize Diane Beam, a casting director I helped find love last year.

“Diane!” I call back as we make our way toward her. “You look amazing!”

She embraces us both, her perfume expensive and subtle. “I was hoping I’d see you here. Marcus sends his love. He’s shooting on location in Vancouver.”

“How is married life treating you?” I ask, genuinely curious. Matching Diane, with her type-A personality and demanding schedule, had been a challenge until I introduced her to a laid-back cinematographer who appreciated her drive.

Diane’s face softens. “It’s… surprisingly wonderful. You really do have a gift, Emily.” She turns to include Nova in the conversation. “This woman saved me from a lifetime of terrible first dates.”

Nova laughs. “She’s got a sixth sense about these things. I keep asking her to find me someone, but apparently I’m ‘too picky.’”

Diane moves on to speak to the next person, and I spot him before he sees us — Ricardo Ruiz, the manPeoplemagazine named “Sexiest Actor Alive” last year, cutting through the crowd like a hot knife through butter. The sea of people parts for him without seeming to realize they’re doing it. His arm is wrapped protectively around a petite woman in a golden dress, her dark curls pinned up to reveal the graceful curve of her neck.

Leonie. My most successful and high-profile match to date.

“There they are,” I whisper to Nova.

“Emily!” Ricardo calls out, his voice carrying that hint of an accent that’s made him millions in romantic leads.

In person, he’s even more striking than on screen — tall and broad-shouldered, with olive skin and eyes so dark they seem to pull you in. But what makes him truly handsome is the softness that’s appeared there since meeting Leonie, a kind of settled happiness that no amount of acting could fake.

Before I can respond, I’m enveloped in a bear hug that lifts me clear off the ground.

“Put her down before you break her, Ricky,” Leonie says, laughing.

Ricardo sets me gently back on my feet, grinning like a kid. “Sorry. I get carried away.”

“It’s good to see you too,” I say, adjusting my dress. “Both of you. Leonie, you look incredible. How’s the wedding planning going?”

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