Not Tryna Catch Feelings

Chapter 1

Monroe

            The wheels of my suitcase rumble across the hot tarmac as I head out of departures to look for my car. It’s good to be back, though I definitely won’t forget that trip in a hurry – it’s not every day you get to play matchmaker for the Prince of Cordonia.

         Most girls dream of being the princess, but for me, matchmaker extraordinaire, I make it my mission to find the princess, which is precisely what I did in this case. Within six months, they had fallen in love and had the wedding of their dreams. In fact, it was probably the wedding of every woman’s dreams.

That’s why I’m the hottest agent at L’Amour and why I get the most elite clients. Since moving from L.A. to San Diego, it’s become my profession after spending four years there making a living for myself. It’s not what I thought I would be doing with my life, but I’m damn good at it, and the paycheck proves it.

“Miss Hayes?” asks a well-groomed chauffeur who steps towards me.

“Yes,” I reply, glad that I won’t be waiting around.

“Can I take your case?” he asks.

“That would be great, thank you.” He opens the door for me before taking my case and depositing it into the trunk, taking great care as he does. This, I’m grateful for – I mean, it is designer.

Though he’s the consummate professional, he’s still friendly, and we chat casually on the way home. I can’t tell him the ins and outs of my trip, as he’s not the only professional in the car, after all. The L’amour agency prizes confidentiality above all else. It’s also one of the many things that I pride myself on.

“Six months is a long time away from home. Cordonia sounds great, but your family must have missed you,” he muses.

I swallow hard and act nonchalant. “Oh, I don’t have much family,” I say. “The main person is my best friend, Kelly. I can’t wait to see her.” Warmth floods my chest as I think about being with her in just a few minutes. As co-workers and neighbors, we’ve been friends for years, almost inseparable until the time I had to leave.

Thankfully, he doesn’t press me any further about my family, instead talking about his. His daughter in particular has a dance recital coming up, and he couldn’t sound more proud of her if he tried. It’s obvious how much he values her, and though it’s heartwarming to hear his blatant adoration for her, I can’t help but notice the envy that stabs at my heart.

If only I’d had a father like this.

But that wasn’t meant to be for me, no matter how hard I might have wished for it. Even though there’s no point going over it, I don’t imagine the day will ever come when that absence doesn’t weigh heavily on my soul.

“I hope the recital is everything that she hopes it will be,” I say as we pull up. “I can just tell she’s going to make you so proud.”

“She already does,” he says, his face beaming back at me in the rearview mirror. It’s another dagger to my heart, but I’m used to them now. The most I can do is celebrate when I see such love and affection between a father and his daughter.

I tip him well. Then he retrieves my luggage for me, thanking me for my generosity.

“Oh, my God! Look at you!” Kelly cries, throwing herself at me and enveloping me in the biggest, most sincere hug before my chauffeur has even pulled away. For a few moments, we just embrace, and it’s only now that I realize how much I missed her.

It’s been a long trip – six months. Luckily for me, she was here to take care of my place. Even better, she’s here when I return. I don’t think I’ve ever been so glad to see someone.

Eventually, we make our way inside, and she helps me with my luggage. Stepping into my apartment, it almost seems surreal. I mean, the place is nice, but it’s nothing compared to the grandeur of the residences I frequented in Cordonia. Still, it’s good to be back. This is home, after all, and it’s mine.

“The place looks great, thanks so much,” I say, noticing how well-maintained it is. Not only that, but she’s placed fresh flowers around the apartment and stocked up the refrigerator and cupboards for me.  I’ve literally been through the door a few minutes when Kelly comes into my room with my cell.

“You’re pinging,” she says.

Rolling my eyes, I take it from her to see it’s a message from my boss. Groaning, I open it and scroll through. “You have to be kidding me. I’ve just touched down!”

“Work?” she asks.

“Yes, work,” I say just a bit too sharply. “Sorry, I’m just tired,” I add sheepishly, glancing up at Kelly. Thankfully, she seems unbothered by my tone, and I can’t help but feel grateful for her friendship all over again.

“I don’t doubt it, you’ve not even given the jetlag a chance to show its head.”

“Tell me about it.” I honestly can’t believe my boss is on my case already, having just spent the last six months on a hellish mission pairing a Don Juan and a headstrong princess! I mean, I’m good, but a girl needs a break sometimes.

“What’s the client’s name?” Kelly asks. “Another big shot?”

Of course it is. I always get the big shots. They pay big bucks, but they come with big egos. I’m so tired and annoyed that I haven’t even checked. I rub at my temples as I read through the email closer.

“It’s Tyler Evans,” I announce. As I say the name out loud, it hits me. I’m suddenly alert, and my heart is pounding like I’ve just done a ten mile run.

Could it be the same one?

It’s not an uncommon name, but there aren’t many that have the means to access a service like ours. Maybe it is the Tyler Evans I knew. The very one who I left in the past.

My heart is beating like it’s about to burst out of my chest. If it’s the same one, why can’t he just stay in the past?

Chapter 2

Tyler

         Another day at the office of Prestige, Inc. The meeting I just left was just as boring as the previous one and the one before that. As CEO of this place, I’m well aware that I shouldn’t be feeling this way, but there’s just something else on my mind these days, eating away at the flames that used to keep the fire inside me well stoked.

         Back at my office, I collapse into my chair, swiveling around to look at the view over San Diego. 

“What the fuck am I going to do?”

It suddenly hits me that I could lose all of this if I don’t come up with the goods. It’s an unfamiliar feeling. I never lose, and I always know what course of action to take to make sure it’s not even a possibility.

Reluctantly, I return to the piles of documents on my desk that require my attention. I begin to add my signatures where required and scan through areas that need more attention before I’m ready to commit my name to it.

         But it’s no use. The conversation with my grandfather, the one that has distracted me from everything else, is still alive and kicking in my mind. How could it not be?

         There’s still a part of me that can’t believe he would take things this far. That he’d actually decide to threaten my inheritance and the position that I more than earned in this corporation if I don’t get married soon.

         Not only that but if I fail to deliver on this, then my uncle will be the one that will take what is rightfully mine. He’ll be given the CEO position and the company I’ve labored so hard for, unless I find a wife. My hands ball into fists as I repeat this once again to myself.

Not in this lifetime.

         I’m not the only one who thinks this is outrageous. When I told Leighton, one of my closest and most brilliant friends, I was surprised to see that he was almost as furious as me! That’s when he suggested a way out, and I decided to take it.

         Now all I have to do is take his advice and put this in the hands of L’Amour, an exclusive matchmaking agency. I gave them my preferences, and they will see to the business end of finding me someone who can help get me out of this potential mess.

         I mean, it can’t be that hard. All I need is a pretend wife!

         The office door opens abruptly without so much as a knock or announcement, and I don’t even need to look up to know it’s my secretary, Shawn. He’s the only one that gets to enjoy such courtesies. He’s my right-hand man, and I can always trust him to deliver.

“I received a message back from the head of L’Amour, and she said K accepted the mission,” he says. K is known as the matchmaking maven. She never fails to do her job smoothly. 

“All sounds a bit James Bond,” I say sarcastically. He’s used to my demeanor and doesn’t even flinch at my words. Underneath, I’m glad that this process is finally underway. The faster this gets started, the faster this is over.

“Here,” he says, handing me some papers that contain more of the details. The mysterious K has a profile all of her own. A sort of advertising calling card that helps her clients get to know more about her and get to know the matches that she makes. Browsing through, she gives details of her age, achievements, likes and dislikes, and I’m suddenly reminded of someone from a long time ago. I push the thought aside. It can’t be.

“Ask about this woman’s availability tonight. I’d like to meet her as soon as possible,” I order. I need to get this up and running. There’s no time to waste when it comes to securing my future.

“Sure, I'm already on it,” he says, tapping away on his tablet.

He’s usually two steps ahead of me with these things, which is why I value him so much. Meanwhile, I continue looking over the documents that he’s provided me with.

“Weird,” I say, and I didn’t realize that it was actually aloud.

         “What is?” asks Shawn, looking down at me confused.

         “Oh, nothing,” I reply. “Just reminds me of…” I’m glad when his device pings so that I don’t have to answer that question.

         “Confirmed,” he says. “First consultation is tonight at Estella.”

         “Nice,” I say, impressed with the obvious good taste of whoever this woman is. It’s one of the most famous restaurants for miles.

         “Good work, Shawn,” I say. “I need this settled as soon as possible.”

         “It will be, I’m certain,” he says before pinging me the details of the meeting and leaving as abruptly as he came in.

         I spend the rest of the day more hopeful than I have been since my grandfather’s little chat. Now that things are up and running, I’m sure I can secure this deal in record time.

         How hard can it be?

***

         I’ve been tapping my fingers against the table so much that the people seated at the table next to me are starting to give me some withering looks. Ten minutes, and still waiting. This is not the best start to this business arrangement.

         There are so many things that I’m good at, but waiting isn’t one of them.

         Taking another look at my Rolex my foot starts to tap, too. It’s all I can do not to actually watch the ticking of the hands. Can’t people just be on time these days?

But then I’m taken from frustration to something much more welcome when the scent of luxury perfume, infused with lavender, dances around my nose. I’m snapped back to the present moment as a woman quickly takes her place at the table across from me.

 “I apologize. Something came up. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Evans.”

The woman now sitting opposite me is dressed in elegant, corporate attire, just as I would expect. Her tawny Black skin is complimented perfectly by her crisp, cream, satin blouse, and her dark hair is pulled back away from her face.

Her hazel green eyes widen as soon as they lock onto mine, and I can’t help but grin.

“It’s been a long time, Monroe.”