Here’s excerpt two of the clean romance book The Billionaire’s Matchmaker, a short story from my small-town sweet books. Once this story is available, I hope you’ll give it a try.
Excerpt 2 of 3: The Billionaire’s Matchmaker
“Understandable.” Marcus Macy leaned back in the chair across from Keisha’s desk. “I’m a businessman, a very successful one, and I—”
Keisha wondered if his last name had anything to do with his success. “Do you have any relationship to Macy’s, the department store?”
“Unfortunately, no. Though having the same name doesn’t hurt. If people make assumptions, so be it.” He smoothed the edge of his purple-striped tie.
“And the wedding ring?”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve been doing a lot of venture capitalism lately, which means I’m always meeting people. In the past few months, I’ve noticed a recurring topic of conversation among my clients.” He adjusted his tie again. “Family.”
Keisha nodded slowly. “I see.”
“At twenty-five, I didn’t care whether I had anything to add to those kinds of conversations. But I’m thirty-one now and… I’m expected to be in a different place.”
“So, being single is bad for business?”
He smirked. “Something like that.”
“And you bought a ring to pretend that you’re married?” She asked pointedly, waiting to see how he’d respond.
“No. I bought it because I’ll need it when I am married,” he said matter-of-factly. “I passed a jewelry shop on my way to your office and got it there.” Before she could make a cart-before-the-horse comment, a playfulness crossed his lips. “What can I say? I like to plan ahead.” That was one way to look at it. “I also believe in the power of turning thoughts into action to achieve goals. Coming here, buying a ring, that’s part of it.” His gaze trailed out the window. “Lately, I see myself with a wife and kids. I don’t imagine myself as a bachelor much longer. Thoughts are powerful, you know.”
Keisha also understood the power of thoughts, actions, goals. Dreams, too. She’d made a vision board at home once. Cut-outs of a family taken from a magazine years ago. Pictures of tropical islands and beaches where she’d like to vacation. But none of it had happened. No family. No beachy vacations. Just a trail of bad, broken relationships. Over time, she tucked the vision board in a dresser drawer and buried the prospect of family along with it.
“Where are you from?” she asked.
He smiled. A bright, perfect smile. “Is it that obvious I’m not from here?”
“It is.”
“I’m from the San Francisco bay area. I caught the first plane out this morning to come here.”
That news flattered her. But it concerned her, too. Had he already strolled into every matchmaking office in California with no results? A hot, successful businessman should’ve been able to find a wife with an easy finger-snap, without the help of a matchmaker. Heck, if Jenny from the bakery next door saw him, she’d probably offer to be his wife on the spot.
Keisha asked, “Have you tried a matchmaking service before?”
“No, but I’ve done a lot of research. You have a hundred percent success rate. This town has strong family values and a low divorce rate. I had a feeling you would be a good place to start.” He rested a hand on the armchair. “There’s a fundraising ball in five months. It makes sense that I go to it with my future wife.” He leaned forward, flashing another grin of confidence. “So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get started.”
***
A.K. Creek 