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prologue

IT WAS OFFICIAL

She was on the date from hell

Kate Seyht smile, and tried very hard not to stare at the lu from her companion's chin Okay, so he was a bit socially aard Still didn't ht not to notice chicken parm was stuck on his face

She patted her chin in a silent plea for hiesture women used when toilet paper was stuck to their shoe or a price tag was hanging frootten the memo

He kept talking about his , but how could she focus when she stared at a lump of mozzarella?

"Uht there on your--"

He swiped at it bare-handed like a bear grabbing a fish, and the cheese fell onto the plate "Thanks So, I'ot to do this in person I enjoyed talking with you over the phone"

Suddenly not hungry anymore, Kate pushed the last of her sal a business owner, I'm always fascinated by PR and the best ways to brand What type of s-s-s-services do you offer at your company?"

Stupid stutter It always slipped out when she was nervous about ood ihtful question In fact, he seeht smile and respectful silence when he swooped in to clean up the mess at the table

Bradley plowed through the spaghetti and sucked the loopy strands through his teeth with a hiss When he finally ed to s, he looked up An odd expression crossed his face "Well, I'm not exactly eh, and I know more than most of the employees"

Huh He'd insinuated that he ran an entire departht? What department is that?"

"Doorman"

Kate blinked "Oh Wow, I bet youpeople"

Sauce stained his lips She kept her gaze focused slightly to the left

"Yes, I figured I'd start off with an entry-level position and make my way up the ladder"

This could still work She admired ambition in a man Sure, he had kind of stretched the truth about his job, but maybe he was eed: Kate couldn't care less what title aas he liked his work Even his looks weren't bad, e Joe, which she courted Short dark hair, brown eyes, round face A bit overweight but nothing out of the ordinary in a world filled with fast food and instant gratification Kate despised the char types who looked at woos

"Sraduated froement What did you study?"

"I took a class there once Didn't get to finish, since I had to go take care of my mom"

Instant sympathy and hope flickered A ood match "I'm sorry, is she ill?"

Crue of hiswith him would be a chore, but a ot arthritis Told her I'd move in and help her out"

Why did there see around? I've heard of severe conditions that can be very painful"

Bradley paused to slurp his water, which added to the entire ers hurt sometimes, so I can help her open jars and stuff I keep her company, and she cooks and cleans for me It works out pretty well"

The Titanic had nothing on this date, but she fought off the iceberg like a wo to survival Kate desperately needed Bradley to be the one One hundred was a lucky number, wasn't it? One hundred dates spoke of patience She'd waited, invested her time wisely, and believed in the process As the successful owner of Kinnections ency, she lived and breathed her business She believed, da a little weird for the owner to still be single with no prospect in sight

She flexed her fingers and fought the ile of connection, she'd deal with the job and his y between two people ether was also a curse How otten an electrical shock from a couple ere soul mates? How many men had she surrendered to other woed with the waitress or customer service representative or store clerk? It served her well as a matchmaker but was pure hell on her personal life The touch ran through the generations of women in her family, but none had decided to use it for business Still, she preferred using science and skill to make her matches in Kinnections, and tried hard not to let the touch interfere with her main business plan It was ht ot serious Not that she was ready to tell Bradley or anyone else about her secret weapon

She studied him from across the table and refused to lose hope Bradley was meant to be hers, but she wasn't ready to put her hands on him to confirm

The waitress glided over and placed the check discreetly in thethis was the ultimate test A man who paid for dinner on the first date had values It was a make-or-break moment Anticipa

tion cut through her, and she held her breath

Bradley reached over and grabbed the bill

Giddiness spilled through her Finally She hadn't been wrong Sure, rough patches needed to be worked out, but Kate believed

Bradley scanned the bill and whipped out a pocket calculator Heart sinking, she watched his fingers fly across the keys "Okay, since it's not even, I'll take the higher portion You owe 4300 even and I'll pay 4463 That's with a fifteen percent tip Is that acceptable?"

Kate stared as her dream of a soul mate withered as fast as the Wicked Witch's body, but she didn't get any cool ruby shoes left in the process "Sure"

"Great Cash or credit?"

She reached into her Coach purse and pulled out her VISA "Here you go"

"Thanks"

The busboy stopped at their table "Are you done, sir? Miss?"

Bradley nodded, his gaze fixated on the youngout his smart red and black unifored around her No Not possible

But she had to know

The busboy reached for the plate, giving her date a sidelong seductive glance Kate dragged in a breath and brushed his hand with her arers touched her date's

A tiny shock shivered across her flesh and vibrated through her body Bradley smiled at the busboy, his face carved out with pure want

Ah, crap

It was over

She fought a sigh and surrendered nuo to the ladies' room"

"Of course"