Then I see a tall, broad-shouldered man emerge from the trees at the edge of the park. The shape is familiar to me, and my heart speeds up, hammering into my throat and making me light-headed.
It’s not… it can’t be!
But it is!
He’s walking purposefully towards me, his bright blue eyes locked onto me like lasers. With every step, he increases his pace, as if he’s afraid I’m going to run away.
I am…
I can’t take this—not this!
“Lexa?” The word emerges from his lips, soft and questioning.
I don’t blame him for not recognizing me. I look very different than the last time he saw me.
But he hasn’t changed at all…
“Kit,” I answer, hardly able to force the word through my throat.
I stand up, glaring at him as he stops in front of me. I try to focus on his eyes and not get distracted by the rest of him, but I can’t stop my gaze from sliding down as I devour the details I cemented in my memory so many years ago.
Broad, muscular shoulders, bulging arms, beautiful, long-fingered hands. Thick thighs and tight butt. And his face… oh my God, his face. Eyes like tropical pools, sculpted lips, and cheekbones that could cut diamonds.
“Lexa,” he says again, shaking his head a little. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for a matchmaking thing,” I answer tersely. “It’s none of your business, really. What are you doing here?”
“Porter’s?” he asks. “Porter’s brides for hire?”
A sick feeling that has nothing to do with my hangover rises in my guts. I almost take a step back, but then I remember the fountain just in time.
Almost ended up on my ass in the fucking pond. Like I need this shit to get any worse!
“There has to be a mistake,” I say firmly. “Did you see Iris?”
“Yeah,” Kit replies. “She was at a picnic table, over there. She told me to go to the fountain to meet my match.”
“Surely, she didn’t mean me,” I answer, looking around in desperation. To my dismay, the area is empty except for a couple of kids.
“There has to be a mistake,” I murmur.
“Come on, Lexa. How many people do you think booked with the agency for today? It has to be us.”
“I’m not standing for this!” I state. “I’m talking to Iris about this right now!”
I set off towards the trees, with Kit close behind. When I get to the tables, they’re all empty. Iris is nowhere to be seen.
“Fuck!” I cry, stomping my foot with frustration. “She told me she’d stick around so we could talk about it.”
“She told me the same thing,” Kit mutters. “Hold up.”
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and flicks it open.
“She texted me the contract,” he says. “It’s waiting for a digital signature.”
“What?” I almost scream. “How can she do this?”
Kit shrugs. “It’s been filled out with our names. It’s not a mistake, Lexa.”
