Love at Stake (Entangled Covet)(49)

Bitterness welled up. Lucian had turned away from her because she was human, and she had little doubt Christian would do the same if push came to shove.

So where did that leave her?

The bar was already full when they arrived. She saw Vivian through the crowd, working on introductions. Chloe and Jessie passed around drinks and helped make suggestions to the singles in attendance. Like her coworkers, she’d memorized lists of rating statistics and knew which members would work best with others.

Shrugging out of her coat, she handed it to Christian. “Order me a drink?” she asked.

“Got it. Go do your thing, honey. Make magic happen.”

She kissed his cheek before pushing her way to Chloe.

“There you are,” the witch said in greeting. “We’re swamped tonight.”

“It’s the Redgrave phenomenon,” Abbey said. “Let’s match as many as we can before he decides to leave our little agency.”

“Cheers to that.” Chloe glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Looks like someone brought arm candy. Did no one ever tell you it’s a bad idea to leave your belongings unattended?”

“Christian will be fine.”

Chloe chuckled with disbelief. “You left your tasty boyfriend in a room full of sexy singles.”

When put that way, it did seem a little suspect. Abbey searched her soul for a drop of jealousy but felt none. Here she was, debating going home with him, and she didn’t care if other women tried to pick him up tonight?

“Christian’s not a cheat,” she said as if her lack of worry was completely justified in a brand-new relationship.

Chloe agreed but Abbey wasn’t blind to the puzzlement on her friend’s face. “Look, there’s a group of valkyrie in the corner. Let’s start there.”

Abbey nodded, scanning the crowd for possible matches. Mixers like this were invaluable to Fated Match. It allowed species that normally avoided one another to meet and mingle. A spike in their match rates coupled with Lucian’s patronage would more than ensure their survival in the competitive dating world.

Abbey immersed herself in work. She smiled and flirted, charming the unsure singles around her. Whenever she saw anyone standing alone for too long she zoomed in, making the necessary introductions and pressing a drink into empty hands.

Christian even stepped up to help. There was no doubt the man had charm when he wanted to turn it on. He got nervous herbivore shifters to loosen up enough for Abbey to match them with predators they’d never really considered before. She patted herself on the back for a were-mouse and mountain lion pair she’d set up an hour ago. The couple hadn’t stopped talking and now they were huddled in the corner together, bent heads brushing.

“You’re good at this,” Christian said.

“So are you,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Who knew you could be so dashing?”

“If you’re just getting the memo, then I’ve been playing this last week terribly wrong.”

His thumb brushed under her chin to tilt her head up. Abbey smiled as he kissed her, enjoying his touch. He really had outdone himself tonight and she appreciated his support. Maybe there was hope after all.

As his lips dragged across hers, a strange hush fell over the bar. Abbey jerked back, wondering what had just happened. When she realized who stood in the doorway, her heart constricted in her chest.

Lucian walked into the bar looking as if he owned the place. At his side was the beautiful were-tiger Abbey had heard so much about. The woman was striking with her orange-and-black hair. The short cocktail dress she wore showed off legs that wouldn’t end. Abbey fought the urge to tug on her yellow skirt. As spiffy as she felt, there was no way she, or any other woman in the bar, could compare.

Vivian stepped into the awkward silence, her professional mode firmly in place. “Welcome to the party. Grab a drink and come meet some of our other members.”

The siren gestured to the bartender and once again music pulsed through the bar. Chatting and laughter started back up to cover the brief pause. Lucian and his date joined the crowd with smooth precision. Only then did Abbey see the other figure in the doorway.

Melissa met her gaze and mouthed, “Sorry.”

Had the vamp set her up? Was her visit today a ploy to get Abbey and Lucian in the same place at the same time? If so, Abbey was buying a stake.

“Is that Lucian Redgrave?” Christian whispered. “I had no idea your company had such feathers in your cap.”

“Yeah,” she replied, her mouth dry. “He’s testing out our services this month.”

Lucian’s gaze flashed toward her and she was helpless to look away. The week without him had been torture. Even just seeing him across the crowded bar was like a balm on her heart.