Melissa elbowed him in the stomach. “Be polite to my father.”
Tarian rolled his eyes before holding his hand out to Kieran. “I hear you’re the Clearwater alpha. Welcome to the club.”
“Club?” Kieran said, returning the handshake.
“Men who love Fated Match girls,” he clarified. “I met my mate the first time I stepped foot in that agency.”
It’s true. Chloe had been there when Melissa and Tarian had first met. For a brief moment she’d considered vying for the necromancer’s attention, but it had been clear from the very first that he had eyes only for Melissa.
She glanced at the man by her side, wishing their story had been similar.
“I hear Jessica got to meet your boyfriend properly,” Melissa whispered to her, moving closer to her side. “Unfair friend favoritism.”
“I’m sure Abbey filled you in,” she whispered back. “We’re very new to the public scene.”
Melissa nodded. “I also heard he’s whisking you away to a pack retreat. When you’re back I insist on a dinner. I’m sure Abbey is just waiting to hear all the details, too.”
Chloe smiled at her friend. “Absolutely,” she said, wondering if it was a promise she’d be able to keep. If Kieran ever wanted a serious relationship, she’d be proud to introduce him to her friends.
“I’m going to go say hello to my father,” Melissa said. Glancing at the man behind her, she asked, “Coming? Or are you going to hide at the bar and pretend you haven’t noticed him?”
“Where you go, I go,” he replied, bending down to press a kiss to her cheek.
“So we’re invited to a dinner?” Kieran asked as the other couple walked off.
Chloe glanced up at him. “After the moon. Don’t worry about it.”
“They seemed like a nice pair. I’ll look forward to it.” He turned to smile at an incoming wolf, who stared at him like she’d just seen a movie star.
Chloe stared at her date, her jaw nearly dropping. Had he casually referred to the possibility of them staying together beyond their deal?
Could he want her for longer than the charade?
Hope fanned brighter within her. The moon was fast approaching. Maybe she didn’t need to dread its arrival as much as she had been.
It turned out Kieran was a natural at the matchmaking game. Vivian had relieved them of doorman duty, wanting the latest feather in her cap to mingle with the crowd and talk up the services. Chloe had thought that a tall order, considering Kieran hadn’t officially used any program at Fated Match, but the wolf had been a good sport. He was charming as he conversed with the singles in the bar, encouraging them to extend their contracts and suggesting introductions to other supernaturals milling about.
Chloe sat on a barstool watching him work his magic. He might be an investment guru, but she’d bet the beer in her hand at least one of the pairs he’d introduced would be calling her up tomorrow to schedule official dates.
“He’s doing well,” Vivian said, appearing by her side.
“Who would have thought.”
The siren plucked the beer from her hand and took a sip before passing it back. “Tomorrow you leave for the woods.”
“Yep. We’re almost there.”
“Still planning a big break up after the moon has waned?”
She hesitated, not knowing how to reply.
Vivian sighed. “That’s what I thought. Didn’t heed my advice, did you?”
“Abbey and Melissa beat the odds,” she replied. “Maybe I am one in a million, too.”
The look the siren leveled at her was equal parts pity and disbelief.
“Shut up,” she said, taking another sip. “I can hope if I want to.”
“Yes, you can,” Vivian replied. “I’ve got you on the schedule the Monday after the moon. Let me know if you need more time.”
To cry my heart out? she wondered, looking at her flawless boss. The other woman obviously thought she was headed for disappointment.
“Thank you,” she forced herself to say.
Kieran caught her eye as he threaded his way toward them. “Your mixer appears to be a success, Vivian,” he said when he reached them.
“Yes,” she replied. “Thank you for your appearance. You’ve helped us enroll quite the numbers this week.”
“I’m glad this worked out for all of us.”
Vivian’s eyes flicked to her before she smiled once more. “As am I.” Inclining her head, the siren drifted off into the crowd.
Kieran leaned against the bar next to her. “I can see why you like this job,” he said. “Spotting the similarities between people and setting them on paths to each other is oddly satisfying.”