Formal Arrangement Read online

  “I’ll have someone by Friday,” Josh said. “I’ll take care of everything.”

  Alex was so out of it he couldn’t recall what exactly Josh was taking care of. He wasn’t even sure what day it was. “Okay.”

  He collected his daughter and let himself back in the house, looking forward to a few hours of sleep.

  Josh followed behind a moment later. “You forgot the popsicles.”

  “Shit. That would’ve been bad. I’m going to tuck her in.” He headed down the hall to Viv’s room and gently set her down, covering her with a light blanket. He gazed down at her for a moment. Her lips parted in sleep, the little bow in her top lip and the cleft in her chin were pure Tammy. Even her name, Vivian, had been Tammy’s idea. Of course he’d honored Tammy’s wishes under the tragic circumstances. The hard truth was he would always be reminded of Tammy when he looked at their daughter. And he could never forget what Viv had lost.

  He turned, crossed to his room, and flopped on the bed, too tired to bother getting under the blanket. He heard the front door shut. Wait, who was happening on Friday? Or what?

  Chapter Two

  Lauren Bishop tucked her long light brown hair behind her ears and worked for an interested, curious expression as Hailey began her dramatic reading of The Matchmaker’s Daughter at the Happy Endings Book Club meeting. Lauren had secretly read ahead, as usual. The sweet romance had one very hot sex scene. No book passed muster with the Happy Endings Book Club without at least one steamy scene. Even the classics they’d read—Pride and Prejudice, The Princess Bride, Gone with the Wind—had been supplemented with new gorgeous sex scenes provided by a former book club member, Julia Marino, who happened to be a famous erotic romance author. The scenes were always told from the heroine’s point of view and, at least for Lauren, colored the rest of the story with an undercurrent of erotic tension that had been sorely lacking before.

  Hailey Adams, leader of the book club as well as a matchmaking wedding planner, shot Lauren a significant look right in the middle of chapter one.

  Lauren gave Hailey a smile in return that said, yes, I’ve noted your subtle nod to my life in the story you chose for just this purpose (but with less sarcasm, she tried to always speak kindly to people she knew had good intentions, even in her head).

  She’d grown up with Hailey in Clover Park, Connecticut, though they’d only recently become friends. Throughout most of school, and especially in high school, Hailey had been the most popular, beautiful, poised and polished girl, way more sophisticated than most teen girls thanks to her beauty pageant training. And Lauren had played flute in the marching band. (Which was awesome and she made the best friends there, just not Hailey.) Their paths hadn’t crossed socially until Lauren returned to town much later and saw the flyer advertising a singles book club. Lauren had discovered that under Hailey’s somewhat intimidating polished exterior was a generous loving person, which was why Lauren had recently signed up for Hailey’s Make Love Bloom (TM) plan. (The trademark was pending, but it was important to include it.)

  After turning twenty-seven a few weeks ago, Lauren had decided to stop wasting time on relationships that were going nowhere. Three of her friends from book club—Claire, Mad, and Charlotte—were all happily matched to their forever mate. And when Charlotte announced recently that she was pregnant, well, Lauren had to admit to a twinge of envy. Maybe more than a twinge, a full-on pang of longing. She was ready for marriage and kids of her own. And that, as they say, was that.

  She continued listening serenely as the matchmaker’s daughter went on a date with a very unsuitable man. The story had not only highlighted some parallels to Lauren’s life—girl next door fumbles through dating until the matchmaker takes charge—but also applied directly to Hailey’s life. Her friend was a matchmaker without a match. Shocking! A self-professed love junkie and happy-ending facilitator should definitely have love in her life. Lauren planned to screen every candidate Hailey tossed her way, first for a spark for herself, as she was supposed to do, and if that didn’t happen, she’d put on her analytical glasses (metaphorically, her vision was 20/20) and consider them as a candidate for her friend. A twofer.

  Boy, if this worked out for both her and Hailey, Lauren would definitely urge the remaining single ladies in book club—Carrie, Ally, Missy, Sabrina, and Lexi—to sign up for Make Love Bloom (TM). Hailey could make a mint. Lauren was her first client and, as such, was a freebie, being the guinea pig and all.

  Hailey finished chapter one and the women erupted with questions.

  “Is it a series?” Carrie, a sweet blonde nurse with glasses, asked. Lauren liked her a lot. She adored nice people.

  “Please tell me there’s some hot scenes,” Mad said, crossing her black work boots over each other. Mad was not nice. She was tough, brash, and in your face. Lauren used to be a little jumpy around her, but as she got to know her situation, the youngest and only girl in a houseful of Campbell brothers and a cop dad, she understood Mad (and secretly sympathized with her). Lauren only had one much younger sister. If she’d grown up with all those loud athletic brothers, plus their honorary brothers who hung around the house all the time, she’d probably have turned out the same way. Well, a couple of the Campbell men were nice and not too loud, specifically Alex and Logan.

  Hailey flicked her strawberry blond hair over her shoulder. “Yes, it’s a series, and yes, there are hot scenes. Would I steer you wrong?”

  Mad grumbled something about The Princess Bride.

  “Don’t forget Julia’s barn scene in the hayloft,” Lauren reminded her. That was the bonus sex scene they’d all read from their erotic romance author friend.

  The women tittered. Mad flushed. “Yeah, that was pretty good. I should reread that.”

  Hailey stood in her designer short-sleeve pink dress with matching pumps. She always dressed up. The rest of them were dressed casually in T-shirts, leggings, and shorts. “Everyone up for drinks at Garner’s?”

  “Yeah,” the women chorused, except Mad, who said, “You have to ask?” It was their Thursday night tradition.

  “It never hurts to ask,” Hailey said. “If someone wasn’t up to it, I’d like to hug them and chat to make sure they’re okay.”

  “We’re good,” Mad said. “Let’s roll, bitches.”

  Mad led the way out the door of Something’s Brewing Café. Garner’s was right across the street. Lauren went to follow when Hailey snagged her by the elbow and pulled her to the back of the group. Mad’s gaze followed them and Hailey gestured for her to go on.

  Mad rolled her eyes and kept going.

  Hailey nearly vibrated with excitement at Lauren’s side. “I’ve set up a dinner date for Saturday night with a promising candidate from eLoveMatch.com. His name is Patrick McGee.”

  “Okay.” Hailey had enrolled Lauren in the online dating service and also planned to organize some group functions to efficiently ferret out sparks with eligible single men. This was her first date since putting Hailey in charge. She felt more relaxed than she ever had about dating, knowing her love life was in Hailey’s capable hands.

  “That’s it?” Hailey asked. “Just okay?”

  “Sounds good,” Lauren added.

  “Don’t you want to know anything about him?”

  “I trust you.” She smiled, glad to have Hailey as a buffer to smooth out all the edges. No more vague texts or waiting for the phone to ring or, worse, getting stood up for a second date.

  Hailey beamed. “Wonderful. I’ll just tell you this, he’s cute and loves animals.”

  “Great. I love animals too.” She had two cats, a girl and a boy, that hated each other but loved her.

  Hailey squeezed Lauren’s arm. “I’m so excited for you!”

  Lauren smiled. “Me too. I’ll call you after and give you all the details.”

  “Unless you’re out late,” Hailey said, bumping Lauren with her hip. “Maybe if things go well, you’ll stay for drinks or dancing.”

  “I don’t think
so. Dinner is plenty long enough to know if there’s a spark. And if there is, I’m sure he’ll follow up for a second date. Everything will happen in its own time.”

  She’d always believed that it if it was meant to be, it would happen. She’d had two serious relationships that unfolded naturally with no real effort on her part. Her senior year of high school she’d fallen for Drew and backpacked across Europe with him after graduation. They broke up two weeks in, and then, on her own in the south of France, she met sweet gorgeous Lucas, a local, five years older with his own place. She’d ended up living with Lucas all summer. That breakup had been even more difficult than with Drew because Drew had cheated on her, so he was obviously scum, but with Lucas, sweet Lucas, she’d thought she’d met her soul mate. He’d confessed, as the time for her return home drew near, that he was gay. He’d hoped because of how close they’d become that he might be wrong, but he finally had to admit the truth to himself and everyone else in his life. Later, her friends back home, in a postmortem of the Lucas-Lauren relationship, had commented on their lack of a sex life (mostly they cuddled, held hands, and kissed; Lucas hadn’t wanted to rush her), and the fact that they spent all their time cooking, shopping, and taking long walks along the Riviera. She’d been too obliviously happy to notice anything was wrong at all.

  She suddenly realized Hailey was studying her curiously. “If it’s meant to be, it will be,” Lauren elaborated.

  “So philosophical!” Hailey exclaimed.

  “I guess.”

  “I’m so glad you’re taking this leap into getting your own happy ending!” Hailey exclaimed with a big bright smile. “He said he’ll be wearing a pink shirt. You really have to appreciate a guy with the confidence to wear pink!”

  “Mmm-hmm.” At Hailey’s frown, she tried to put more enthusiasm into her voice. “Looking forward to it.” And then with real enthusiasm, she shared, “It’s a big relief to let you worry about dating stuff instead of me.”

  Hailey smiled. “And I’m happy to do it.”

  They were the last of the group to arrive at Garner’s because Hailey stopped to chat with the woman who ran the bookstore connected to the café. Lauren knew her too, so she had joined in. Mad gestured them over to a couple of seats she’d saved for them at the bar.

  Josh Campbell, the bartender and manager of Garner’s (also Mad’s older brother), appeared in front of them. He was, by any measure, a handsome man. Thirtyish with dark brown hair that curled a bit, tall and muscular, charming, and effortlessly sexy. Well, all of the Campbell men were sexy. It was an aura they had, a confidence that rolled off them that announced they had “it” and knew what to do with it. That was just a fact that any intuitive woman would pick up. Lauren had always been drawn to Josh’s laid-back nature. Unfortunately, Lauren knew he wasn’t right for her because what really got him going, like it or not, was Hailey.

  Also unfortunately, but most entertaining, Hailey had become embroiled in a frenemy one-upmanship with Josh. Their squabble had begun with hard feelings after Josh quit as Hailey’s paid escort for the many weddings she planned, and had escalated into spicy peppers slipped into nachos (Josh’s move), rumors of an affliction that caused impotency (Hailey’s move), to running out of Hailey’s favored mojito ingredients forever (Josh’s move).

  Josh smiled at Lauren with his usual charming smile, and she smiled back, quickly averting her eyes. Josh had dark old-soul eyes with hidden pain. She always felt a twinge of sympathy for him when their eyes met. The only time she could sustain eye contact with Josh was when he and Hailey were doing their frenemy thing because that was the only time the pain in his eyes receded. He set a glass of her favorite chardonnay in front of her.

  “Thank you,” Lauren said.

  Josh inclined his head and bent to retrieve something behind the bar. Lauren glanced around. Everyone else had their wine already. Mad had a beer; Charlotte had water with lemon since she was pregnant. This next drink must be for Hailey, which was significant because Josh had denied her any drink at all ever since Hailey squashed the impotency rumor (at Josh’s urging) by implying the issue was simply a tiny banana.

  Hailey eyed him. Unexpectedly, Josh began preparing Hailey’s favorite mojito. The first hint was the glass. She and Hailey exchanged a surprised look. By the time Josh added the mint leaf, Hailey was grinning ear to ear. All of their friends were whispering and watching. This was history in the making. An olive leaf of peace in the form of a mojito.

  “Thank you, Josh!” Hailey exclaimed as he set the glass in front of her.

  He kept his hand on the glass and lowered his voice. “I need a favor.”

  Hailey put her hand on the glass above his and whispered hopefully, “Is this a truce?” She looked around to make sure all of their friends were watching.

  Lauren caught Josh’s eye, clear of pain, his face an expression of exasperation. He let out a heavy sigh and focused on Hailey again. “It’s an arrangement, princess. You get a mojito; I get a favor.”

  Hailey dropped her hand from the glass. “What kind of favor?”

  Josh jerked his chin. “You know a lot of women.”

  Hailey lifted her hands in a double stop sign. “Oh, no, I’m not setting you up. It’s bad enough you’ve been telling everyone we used to date.”

  Josh chuckled. Hailey glared.

  Lauren stifled a laugh, secretly applauding Josh’s move to counter the tiny banana rumor by implying it was Hailey’s sour grapes. Fruity warfare at its best!

  Hmm, maybe Lauren should intervene and make peace between the pair. If they’d stop squabbling long enough, they might actually appreciate what each had to offer. They were yin and yang, opposites in nearly every way, but that could work. Hailey was light and bright, ambitious and driven, dressed for success. Josh was dark and low key, laid-back and casual, dressed like he’d just rolled out of bed and grabbed whatever old T-shirt and jeans were handy. But underneath all that, they both loved a challenge; they both felt passionately about their chosen professions. Hailey loved being a wedding planner so much she sacrificed her own love life to put all her energy into building her business. Josh was saving to open his own bar with awesome food one day. He managed Garner’s for now, but he had ambition for more.

  Plus it was hard to miss the crackling chemistry between them.

  Josh smirked. “I only told Maggie we used to date because she kept harping about the sex therapist she sent over here to help me out with a nonexistent problem.” That had been an unfortunate side effect of Hailey’s impotency rumor. Maggie O’Hare, an elderly grandmother who lived nearby and cared deeply about any and all people in Clover Park, had taken Josh’s matter into her own hands, so to speak.

  Hailey scowled. “That’s the same as telling the entire town and you know it.”

  Josh got serious. “I need a favor for Alex.”

  Lauren leaned in, drawn both by his serious tone and the mention of his brother. Alex was one of the few men she’d felt an instant spark with every time she saw him. And by spark she meant raging lust. Like all of Mad’s brothers, he was tall with a muscular athletic build—wide shoulders and a broad chest tapering to a narrow waist. Dark hair, dark eyes, sensuous lips, etc. She tried not to dwell on it. Long tapered fingers, artist’s fingers. Skilled. Masterful. She imagined his fingers were masterful, not that she knew on a personal…ahem. It wasn’t just his looks, though, he also had the purest most endearing love for his daughter, Viv. For Lauren, who loved kids, it was an intoxicating combination. She hadn’t told anyone of her secret lust because she was looking for a relationship and he clearly wasn’t. His dark old-soul eyes were full of pain and sorrow over the loss of his fiancée, Tammy. Plus he was extremely busy as a single dad. Viv had taken a nap on Lauren once at a wedding reception and called her “thuper.” Lauren had been sure she meant super.

  Hailey brightened. “Ooh, Alex wants me to set him up? Hot single dad will be a snap.”

  Lauren found it hard to believe that Alex wanted to be
set up. Everyone knew he hadn’t dated at all since Tammy died.

  “No, princess,” Josh said between his teeth. “Not a setup. He needs full-time help with Viv this summer. She starts preschool in the fall, so then he’ll be okay.”

  Hailey was uncharacteristically quiet. Lauren fidgeted. She had the summer off as a teacher and could step in, but she knew Alex worked from home (she’d asked him once about his work situation). If she volunteered, she’d be close to Alex all summer, secretly lusting when she was supposed to be searching in earnest for Mr. Right. How could she truly be open to finding love if she was longing/lusting/craving her unavailable employer?

  She kept her mouth shut. Hailey had lots of connections in the community. Surely there would be someone appropriate. Maybe a grandmother, who would be immune to Alex’s appeal.

  “What?” Josh asked when Hailey still had no response. “You won’t help?”

  Hailey grimaced. “No offense, but Mad says Viv’s a handful. Alex has been through a ridiculous amount of nannies.”

  “Twelve in twelve months,” Mad chimed in.

  “Offense taken,” Josh snapped. “She’s no different than Mad at this age.”

  Hailey raised her brows. “I rest my case.”

  “Hey!” Mad exclaimed. “I happened to be an awesome kid. So’s Viv.”

  “There you go,” Josh said not all that convincingly.

  Lauren could only imagine Mad as a toddler. She would’ve been very active, for sure, and fearless. Mad was a total badass.

  “I’d help,” Mad told Hailey, “but I’m working double shifts here this summer to cover my college tuition.”

  “Come on,” Josh said to Hailey. “You know tons of people.”

  “Okay,” Hailey said. “I’ll try to help you find someone.”

  Josh relinquished her drink and Hailey eagerly sipped it through the skinny straw. “Ah. I’ve so missed my mojitos.” Hailey gazed at him adoringly. “Thank you.” She sipped some more.

  “I need someone right away,” Josh said urgently.