Others tanked.
Like this guy.
She took her time and let him stew. He probably thought he was going to score with her, but she had a completely different intention for this meeting. As the top recruiter and makeover expert at the Kinnections matchmaking agency, she'd come across various types of men and learned the fine art of patience. She helped them find true love by using a mixture of encouragement, motivation, empathy, and teaching behavior modification.
But this bozo had broken all the rules, and she wasn't allowing him back into society without an attempt to protect future women. The harsh lights of the diner emphasized the garish tone to his skin. Dear God, he was a living Dorito. He waited patiently for her to speak, but she noticed he grabbed a few napkins to wipe down the white Formica counter before settling his elbows on the edge. Great, a germaphobe to boot. "What's your name?" she asked.
"Ned."
"Hi, Ned, I'm Kennedy. Can I ask you a question?"
"You can ask me anything."
"What did you hope to accomplish tonight?"
He blinked behind thick black-framed glasses. Usually, she loved a good designer frame with a funky style, but these were just wrong. Oversize, squared, they dominated his face and swallowed his eyes. "I don't understand. I'm looking to meet a woman who's right for me."
"I see. Do you usually approach strange women with the same questions you fired off at Bernadette?"
His unibrow hiked up alarmingly, scaring her. Her fingers itched for a wax strip. "I was getting to know her. I thought we were connecting."
She tapped a nail against the chipped mug. "You thought you were connecting? You insulted her, zapped her confidence, and instilled a fear of being alone and childless for the rest of her life. Did you honestly consider that meeting a success?"
He jerked back and shook his head in confusion. "No, I didn't mean to do that. I was being direct."
"Age and weight are two sacred items never to be discussed. They're the Holy Grail of silence, Ned. Didn't you know that?"
He ran his fingers through his hair. The shaggy brown strands hung almost to his shoulders and covered most of his face. Kennedy wondered if he ever visited a hair salon. There was no cut or attempt at a fashionable style. He reminded her of a neglected sheepdog. "Yes, of course, I know about that. I completely forgot because I was upset. I dealt with twenty sessions of torture by women who only focused on money, date destinations, or how many planes I owned."
"You own a plane?"
"No, that's the point! I thought the goal of this thing was to find a woman with similar philosophies, but all they cared about was money."
She studied him more closely. He seemed genuinely upset and didn't give off the creepoid vibe she expected to find. His orange hands wrapped around his coffee mug as if seeking comfort. The white lab coat looked ridiculous paired with pants straight from the eighties. A shiny khaki material that hung loose on his hips and displayed no pockets or discernible form. The large, smeared coffee spot in the middle of his chest reminded her of the barking stain commercial. This man needed to carry a tube of Tide to Go.
But it was the pocket protector that gave it away.
Oh yeah. Major nerd. From the glasses to the clothes to the poor social conversation, this man screamed, Help me. Could he be genuine? Curiosity piqued. "What are you looking for? To get laid? A few dates?"
He straightened his shoulders. A loose thread dangled from the lab coat. "I want to find a wife."
"Why?"
He never flinched. Just met her gaze with a directness that surprised her. "I'm tired of being alone. My career has come first for the past decade. I'm not interested in a parade of women who aren't interested in settling down. I want a family. Companionship. Is that too much to ask?"
He put down the coffee and flexed his fingers. She noticed his nails were bitten to the max. Frustration shot from him in waves. It was rare to discover a man so focused on marriage. Normally, she'd do a victory dance and sign the guy up for Kinnections on the spot. Too bad he didn't seem to have a clue. Maybe he just needed some advice.
"There's nothing wrong with that goal, but people need a bit of the dance first. A hint of flirtation. A give-and-take of conversation to build trust. That leads to a first real date."
"I know. I prepared for this."
She raised a brow. "You're orange, dude."
"I tried to use bronzer to get the beach look. I figured women liked it."
"You have a coffee stain on your shirt, you're wearing a lab coat, you haven't cut your hair since 2000, and I feel like I just got dragged into the woods and buried under a flock of pine trees to die. Is that your cologne?"
He gave up and began picking at his nail. "It's proven women are susceptible to the emotional power of scents. A leisurely walk in nature evokes feelings of happiness."
"Not with half a bottle. I'm experiencing more of a horrific run through the forest while a deadly black bear chases me."
"I overshot. I had to work late. Besides, I don't want a woman who believes clothes or looks are important."
Kennedy sighed. "Clothes are important. A first impression gives you the opportunity to show the other person you care. You don't need to sport Calvin Klein, but clean, pressed, and at your best increases your chances to meet the right person."
"I tried." His eyes lit up. "Would you like to go to dinner Friday night?"
"No."
"You didn't ask me here for a date, did you? You wanted to kick my ass."
She smothered a laugh. It was a shame. Good intentions in a male were gold, especially one who truly wanted to find love and didn't want to hide behind casual sex and a few good times.
Unless . . .
The idea took root, flowered, and exploded into full-bloom roses. Unless she took him under her wing. Taught him how to interact with women. Gave him a makeover. Coached him to close a first meeting to a real date instead of waffling in the shark-infested waters with no help. A surge of excitement tingled in her blood, something she hadn't experienced in a long time. Possibility.
She ached to transform him.
She was damn good at her job, and had numerous solid matches to back up her confidence. Lately, she'd wondered if she was going through a slump. Nothing excited her anymore. Her own dates were commonplace and led down an endless path of disappointment. The lovers she took to bed were satisfying for an hour or two, but in the harsh morning light, she felt no need to keep them around. Her career was satisfying, but she hadn't done anything spectacular or out of the box lately. She was stuck, while everyone around her seemed to be moving forward at a rapid pace. Most of her close friends were engaged or involved in permanent relationships. Usually she adored the dating scene with the lure of the unknown and expanse of possibility spread before her. But she had struggled with burnout lately, and began spending most of her hours at Kinnections or hanging with girlfriends.
But this man presented a true challenge.
Kennedy switched gears and downshifted into business mode. First, she needed more information before making the commitment. He remained ultra still in the chair, no fidgeting or impatient movements. Definitely a desk jockey. "What's your full name?"
"Nathan Ellison Raymond Dunkle."
Fascinating. This just kept getting better and better. "You got stuck with a real doozy, Ned."
His face remained deadly serious. "I know. If my mother was still around we'd sit down and have a conversation regarding her original intentions."
"You know if you put the R in, you come up with NERD."
The unibrow lifted again. "If you think you're being clever, I'll have you know that even the junior high jocks figured that out pretty quickly. You'll have to work much harder to impress me."
Kennedy fought a smile. Good. He had a sense of humor buried under all that intelligence. You couldn't teach a person that part, you either owned the trait or not. Definitely raw material to extricate and polish. "Touche. And what do you do?"
&n
bsp; "I'm an aerospace engineer."
She pressed her finger against her lips and pondered the amazing scene unfolding before her. Did this get any better? "You're a rocket scientist."
Impatience simmered from his frame, though he remained still. "Yes, that's what an aerospace engineer is. But we don't call ourselves rocket scientists any longer. It's outdated."
Her gaze fell to the pocket protector and his outfit. "I apologize."
His demeanor shifted, and he gazed at her with sudden suspicion. "What is it you really want? I apologized for how I came across to Bernadette. You don't want to date me. Why am I still here?"
Kennedy tried very hard not to lick her lips and ask for a cup of cream. A nerdy, rich rocket scientist who wanted to get married and meet his match. This was her swan song--her Eliza Doolittle--her crowning achievement and challenge of a lifetime.
"I have a deal to offer."
"What type of deal?"
She smiled. "The deal of a lifetime. I'm going to get you everything you've ever wanted. I'm going to find you the woman of your dreams. All you need to do is listen."
He blinked. Pondered. And leaned forward.
Gotcha.
He stopped picking his nails and studied her with a razor-sharp gaze. "How? Who are you?"
"Kennedy Ashe. I run the Kinnections matchmaking agency with two of my partners. We structured the speed-dating event for our clients tonight, but we're also looking to expand. Our focus is to match couples for long-term relationships. Our statistics are quite impressive, and I can give you plenty of information to sort through. You strike me as a numbers person. Results. Correct?"
The big picture seemed to click into place. He pushed his glasses back up his nose. "You ran the event? You're a saleswoman."
"Recruiter. I have a proposition for you, Ned. I'd like to help find your wife."
Disappointment flickered over his features. She watched his shoulders sag. "I see. You want to sign me as a client to your matchmaking agency. How much?"
Giddiness swept through her. His doubtful, accusing stare confirmed his sharp intelligence. This was going to be fun. "Ah, you think I'm a hustler, don't you? Think I want to take a huge deposit, promise you the world, and walk away, right?"
"It did cross my mind."
"I'd be disappointed in you if it didn't. I think I can help you. My main role in Kinnections is to take the clients and give them the tools to meet and connect with the opposite sex. People have issues. The world is hard, especially meeting new people. Sometimes, people need to learn to get past some of their social barriers in order to present themselves at their best."
An unruly snort burst from his lips. "Oh, I see. You want me to lie and pretend I'm someone else in order to get the girl. That'll never work."
"Why not?"
"Because it's a mirage. I can't change who I am at the core. I don't want to."
"Neither do I. Look, if you don't get a chance for a woman to see who you really are, you're never going to find the woman of your dreams. I'm not going to change the person you are--I have no need to. But I will work on some simple surface things in order for you to have more opportunities. First impressions are critical. I'm talking about a bit of polish. A little refining in social conversation. Make sense?"
He scratched his head. The shaggy hair parted, then fell back around his face like a curtain. "What's in this for you?"
"Job satisfaction. If I succeed, maybe more business for Kinnections. And an opportunity to help. That's it."
"How much?"
"One thousand is the initial sign-up fee. It includes counseling, makeovers, and two dates."
"And if I agree?"
She sensed surrender, but it needed to be on her terms. He was a project that would take up all her time and energy. "If you agree, I'll find your match. But you'll have to put yourself completely in my hands."
"How long is the contract?"
"One year. Of course, if you don't see results or aren't satisfied, you can leave anytime less your initial deposit. It's all explained in the contract."
"How do we begin?"
She whipped out her cell phone. "Give me your email and I'll send over the contract with some other information. As soon as you've made your decision, let me know. We'll schedule the initial consultation and take it from there."
He recited his email. Her nails clicked as she typed it in her phone.
"Why me?"
She looked up. His raw question hit her gut, and emotion rushed out. Wasn't it hard enough to go out there, again and again, and fail? To believe there really is someone just for you? This man, in his botched clothes and oversize glasses and orange skin, wanted to believe. He was her greatest test yet and would confirm her belief in happy-ever-afters.
At least, for some people.
Her voice vibrated with determination. "Because I believe there's someone perfect for everyone. And I want to help you find her."
He stared at her for a long time, probing her face in utter stillness. Then he nodded. "Okay."
"Look over the contract. If you agree to the terms, call me, and I'll get you in this week for a formal consultation. I'm looking forward to working with you." She took the last gulp of coffee and reached for her purse to throw money down.
His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "I got it."
His grip was snug. She expected soft, damp hands, but they were firm and deliciously warm. She drew back quickly. "Thanks. I'll be waiting for your call."
She slid out of the booth and walked out of the diner. Her step was light as she made her way to her car, and the brisk March wind seemed full of possibilities.
three
KENNEDY LOOKED UP as her two friends and business partners rushed into her office. "What's up? Did the quarterly profit statements come in?"
Kate looked about to burst with excitement. "Better."
"Did Arilyn finally sleep with the FedEx guy?"
Arilyn shook her strawberry hip-length hair in mock seriousness. "His package is much smaller than that of the man I'm currently seeing, thank you very much."
Kennedy laughed. "Spill."
Kate clapped her hands together. "Jane and Tim are getting married!"
Kennedy jumped from the chair and shared in a screaming group hug. Jane was a client of Kinnections who'd struggled to meet the right man. They all had worked with her to increase her confidence, tweak her appearance, and find her a match. Of course, when Jane's older brother, Slade, threatened to expose the company as a fraud in an effort to protect his sister, Kate took him on as a client, ready to prove the agency's validity.
She did. And they fell in love with each other in the process, and were now engaged to be married. Now that his sister was also happy, it only made the upcoming wedding that much sweeter. Of course, it didn't hurt that Kate, the main owner and founder of Kinnections, possessed a special "touch" that allowed her to sense when a true soul connection existed between two people--her unique ability had allowed her to truly believe that Slade was the right one and had helped to set up Jane and Tim as well.
Ken paused in the middle of the hug. "Can we use this in our advertising? It's brilliant. Brother and sister matched by Kinnections--double wedding. Get your match on!"
Kate and Arilyn looked at her. Then shook their heads. "No way. This celebration is private," Kate said. "Of course, it'll go into the statistics, which means two more weddings. We're coming close to stellar numbers now, so that should make you happy."
Ken stuck out her bottom lip. The pout always worked with men. They told her it was sexy and irresistible. "I won't use names. We'd be missing out on a fortune and the chance to blow that ridiculous Bravo show away. Who needs a millionaire when you can find love with the boy next door?"
Arilyn gave a delicate snort. "Not gonna happen. And you may need another move. The sulky-lip thing is way overdone. Maybe bite it? That's in all the erotic romance novels."
Ken rolled her eyes. "I'm not a cliche, A, and it hasn't fa
iled me yet. Oh, fine, forget the advertising. I'm still thrilled for you and Jane."
Kate grinned. "Girls' night out? Mugs?"
"Absolutely. How about Friday night? Tear Genevieve away from her man, and we'll make it a celebration. I can't believe we have three engagements in our group." An odd emotion clawed at her gut, but she smothered it. She wasn't interested in marriage anyway. She bored quickly, and as far as she could tell, no man would be able to tie her down. But her friends deserved every ounce of happiness, and damned if she wasn't going to support them.
"Done." Kate took in Kennedy's no-nonsense black Chanel suit. "Do you have a client?"
A twinge of excitement coursed through her. "Yes, he should be here soon. This one's a true challenge. I'm taking him on."
Kate cocked her head. "Hmm, you haven't worked with a new client in a while, especially a male. Is he hot?"
She grinned. "Nope. He's a wreck. Isn't it great?"
Arilyn sighed. She was the resident counselor and computer programmer for Kinnections. "I'll clear my schedule."
"I'm going to recruit all of you for this one."
"What's he like?"
Kennedy almost bounced up and down with sheer excitement. "Three words. My. Fair. Lady."
Kate gasped. "No way!"
Even Arilyn looked a bit buzzed instead of meditative. "How bad? Like guttersnipe bad?"
"Yes. Picture this. Nerd heaven. Big bulky glasses. Shaggy dog hair. Walmart clothes. And orange skin from a botched self-tanner."
Kate seemed to calculate the items on the list with glee. "Appearance only?"
"Much worse. He told Bernadette at the speed-dating event that she was nearing thirty and her eggs were getting old. Then asked her on a date."
Arilyn winced. "Poor Bernadette. Did she cry?"
"Almost, but I saved the whole thing. Took Mr. Geek to the diner to whip his ass, then discovered he had no clue what was going on. He wants to find a wife and has no idea how to do it. I absolutely had to have him."
"What are you going to do first?" Kate asked. "Hair, right? A good haircut fixes everything."
Arilyn shook her head. "Can't do a thing if his skin is orange. Are we talking peach tinted?"
The bell on the door tinkled. They all turned and looked.
Ned stood in the doorway. He wore his lab coat, baggy tweed pants, and his trusty pocket protector. His shoes looked almost orthopedic, with a thick sole. He'd also done something strange with his hair. Instead of hanging in his face, he'd slicked back the edges with a pound of hair gel until he was sporting a kind of half-assed psycho Mohawk. She wondered if a category five hurricane could move a strand.