Page 1 of Heartwood and Hardware
MATCHMAKER’S LOG
ZARA
I drop Riley's file onto the desk with a satisfying thump, leaning back in my chair as Krissa looks up from her own stack of paperwork. The late afternoon sun streams through the office windows, highlighting the gold in her perfectly styled victory rolls. I've never mastered that kind of polished look. My own waves are tucked behind my ears in their usual casual style.
"I think this one's going to be tricky," I say, tapping Riley's photo. "She's brilliant—like, seriously brilliant—but social situations aren't her strong suit."
Krissa picks up the file, adjusting her cat-eye glasses as she scans the details. "Computer coder. Open source contributor. Frequent panelist." She looks up with a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't sound like someone who struggles socially if she's doing panels."
"That's the thing." I reach for my tea, wrapping my hands around the mug for comfort. "She's amazing when she's talking about her passion. Put her in front of a crowd to discuss coding, and she lights up the room. But casual conversation? Small talk? That's where she gets lost."
"Mmm." Krissa nods thoughtfully, flipping through the pages. "Says here she finds social interactions tricky. Literal, direct... overwhelmed by noise but never by ideas." Sheglances at me. "Sounds like someone who needs a match who appreciates straightforwardness."
"Exactly why I think Dean Evans might be perfect." I slide his file across the desk. "Chainsaw carver. Creative, established in his craft. Parker Mitchell referred him. He says Dean's got 'the hands of an artist and the heart of a hermit.'"
Krissa's eyes widen as she studies Dean's photo. "Well, hello, lumberjack fantasy." She fans herself dramatically. "Those arms definitely look like they know how to handle a chainsaw."
I laugh despite myself. "Focus, Krissa."
"I am focusing. Very intently." She winks, then returns to the file. "Okay, so we've got a socially awkward coding genius and a rugged artist who prefers trees to people. How exactly is this a match?"
I lean forward, excitement bubbling up as I explain. "They're both creators. Both passionate about their crafts. Both a little out of step with conventional social rhythms." I tap the desk for emphasis. "And most importantly, they both need someone who understands what it's like to be completely absorbed in your work."
Krissa nods slowly. "I see it. They speak the same language, just in different dialects."
"Exactly! Riley's all about logic and patterns in her code. Dean finds patterns in wood. They're both translating what they see in their minds into something tangible."
"So where's the meet-cute happening?" Krissa asks, setting down the file.
"Comic-Con." I can't help but smile at the perfection of it. "Riley's on the 'Women in Tech' panel, and Dean's doing an outdoor carving demonstration. I've arranged for her panel to end just as his demo begins."
Krissa's eyebrows shoot up. "Comic-Con? For our rugged outdoorsman?"
"He's not just any outdoorsman. Parker says he carves these intricate fantasy creatures—dragons, mythical beasts. He has quite a following among collectors. The con organizers practically begged him to do a demonstration this year."
"Clever," Krissa concedes with an appreciative nod. "So the timing?"
I pull out the convention schedule I've been working on. "Riley's panel ends at 3:30. She always takes what she calls a 'decompression break' after speaking—needs some quiet time. I've arranged with the event coordinator to direct her outside for that break."
"Where Dean will be..."
"Setting up his chainsaw carving demo at exactly 3:45." I can't keep the pride from my voice. "His station is right by the exit doors: the perfect quiet spot for Riley to decompress."
Krissa leans back, a slow smile spreading across her face. "And let me guess. You've enlisted Parker to prime Dean for the encounter?"
"Just a little nudge." I smile. "Parker's going to mention that 'someone special' might stop by. Nothing too obvious, just enough to make sure Dean doesn't retreat into his shell when she approaches."
"What about the noise factor? You said Riley gets overwhelmed."
"That's the beauty of it." I flip to another page in Dean's file. "He hand carves these tiny wooden foxes in between demonstrations. Parker says he considers them good luck tokens. It's quiet, detailed work—the perfect conversation starter that won't involve chainsaws roaring."
Krissa studies both files again, her expression thoughtful. "They're both so... intense in their own ways. Do you think they'll recognize what they have in common?"
I nod, feeling that familiar flutter of certainty that comes when a match feels right. "Riley's direct. She doesn't play games or hide her thoughts. And Dean appreciates authenticity. They both exist a little outside the mainstream, creating their own paths."
"The socially awkward coder and the chainsaw artist." Krissa closes both files with a decisive snap. "I like it. It's unexpected."
"The best matches usually are." I gather the files, hugging them to my chest. "Parker says Dean has the heart of a hermit, but I think he just hasn't found someone who understands his language. And Riley—she's used to being called 'too much.' I think Dean might be someone who doesn't find her too much at all."
