No Mane, No Gain (Paranormal Dating Agency #84)
Chapter 1
ONE
O live Russo leaned forward, adjusting the pillow behind her back as her cousin Athena focused the camera. The soft glow of fairy lights illuminated Olive’s cozy, book-filled reading room, casting a warm ambiance her followers adored. She settled back into her plush armchair, a steaming mug of chamomile tea within reach.
“Hey, there, book lovers.” Olive’s bright smile filled the screen on the laptop on the desk. “Welcome back to Olive’s Bookish Musings . Today, we’re diving into a real treat – A Howl to Remember , the first in the Whispering Pines Series by Milly Taiden.”
She held up the book, its cover featuring a cute blue wolf and magic symbols. “Now, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Olive, another shifter romance?’ But trust me, this one’s got bite.”
Olive winked at the camera, her blue eyes twinkling. “Taiden’s created a world that’s equal parts small-town charm and steamy paranormal action. Our heroine, Celeste, is a middle-aged sassy witch who’s just lost her memories.”
She leaned in conspiratorially. “And don’t get me started on our hero Kade. Let’s just say if all shifters looked like him, I’d be prowling the forests every full moon.”
Olive paused, a wistful expression crossing her face. “You know, it’s books like these that make a girl wonder. Where are all the Kades of the world? Sexy, kind, protective – but not in that creepy, controlling way. Just once, I’d love to meet a guy who could sweep me off my feet without making me want to sweep him out the door.”
She shook her head, her honey-blonde curls bouncing. “But enough daydreaming. Let’s talk about that scene in chapter six. You know the one I mean – things get extra steamy!”
Olive fanned herself dramatically, eliciting a chuckle from behind the camera. She shot a playful glare at Athena helping with the recording.
“Anyway, my darling bibliophiles, if you’re in the mood for a paranormal romance that’ll make you laugh, swoon, and maybe howl a little, A Howl to Remember is your ticket to a wild night in.”
She reached for her mug, taking a sip before continuing. “As always, leave your thoughts and new book recommendations in the comments. And remember, life’s too short for bad books – or bad lovers. This is Olive, signing off and wishing you happy reading!”
With a final wink, Olive ended the recording. She slumped back in her chair, exhaling deeply.
“And cut!” Athena called out, lowering the camera. “That was perfect, Olive. Your followers are going to eat it up.”
Olive quirked an eyebrow. “You don’t think the jokes were too much?”
Athena laughed. “Are you kidding? That’s what they love about you. Your snark is your brand.”
“My brand,” Olive mused, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “Who knew my sarcasm would become a marketable skill?”
She stood, stretching her arms above her head. Olive glanced at her watch and sighed. “Time to switch gears. I’ve got a board meeting at the foundation in an hour.”
She moved to her home office, a sleek space dominated by a large desk and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Among the romance novels were thick binders filled with grant proposals and charity project outlines. Olive pulled out the latest stack of applications, settling in to review them.
As chairwoman of the Russo Family Charitable Foundation, Olive took her responsibilities seriously. It was one of the few areas where she and her parents saw eye to eye. Philanthropy was in the Russo blood, after all.
An hour later, her phone buzzed with a reminder. Time to head to the foundation’s offices for the board meeting. Olive changed into a tailored navy blue suit, her “chairwoman armor” as she liked to call it.
As she gathered her materials, Olive couldn’t help but smile. Her vlog might be her passion project, but the foundation was where she made a real difference. It was a balancing act – the lighthearted book lover and the serious philanthropist – but Olive wouldn’t have it any other way.
The board meeting went smoothly with Olive presenting a new education initiative she was particularly excited about. As the members filed out, offering their congratulations on another successful quarter, Olive felt a familiar mix of pride and pressure. She was good at this, she knew that. But sometimes, the weight of expectations – her family’s, the board’s, her own – felt overwhelming.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Athena: Coffee? I need gossip and caffeine, stat.
Olive smiled, grateful for the distraction. Meet you at Brewed Awakening in 20.
Thirty minutes later, Olive and Athena were ensconced in the plush velvet armchairs of their favorite coffee shop. The atmosphere was a perfect blend of upscale chic and cozy comfort, much like the cousins themselves.
Athena sipped her cappuccino, foam clinging to her upper lip. “Okay, spill. How’d the board meeting go?”
Olive stirred her herbal tea, watching the leaves swirl in the delicate porcelain cup. “It went well. They loved the new education initiative. But...”
“But?” Athena prodded.
Olive sighed. “My birthday’s coming up soon.”
Understanding dawned on Athena’s face. “Ah. The big 3-0. And the... arrangement.”
“Bingo,” Olive said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Seventeen years of dreading this moment, and it’s finally here. I swear, sometimes I think my parents care more about this stupid arranged marriage than they do about the foundation.”
Athena’s expression was serious. “Olive, I know your parents’ divorce was hard on you. But you can’t let your dad’s mistakes color your view of love forever.”
Olive’s fingers tightened around her cup. “It’s not just Dad’s infidelity, Athena. It’s... everything. The lies, the betrayal, watching Mom’s heart break. And now they both think they can dictate my love life based on some agreement they made when I was a kid. It’s like they’ve forgotten their own train wreck of a marriage.”
“Not everyone cheats, you know,” Athena said gently. “There are good men out there.”
Olive snorted. “Right. And they’re all living in the pages of romance novels, conveniently located between ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Too Good to Be True.’”
Athena’s eyes lit up suddenly. “You know, there might be a way to find your own Prince Charming and get your parents off your back.”
Olive eyed her suspiciously. “If you suggest online dating, I swear I’ll pour this tea over your head.”
“Nothing so pedestrian,” Athena waved dismissively. “I’m talking about Gerri Wilder’s Paranormal Dating Agency.”
Olive blinked, certain she had misheard. “I’m sorry, did you just say ‘paranormal dating agency’? As in, dating vampires and werewolves? Athena, I know I joke about it in my vlogs, but I’m not actually looking to get bitten on the first date.”
Athena rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. Gerri’s agency is legendary. She has an uncanny ability to match people with their perfect partners – human or otherwise.”
“And you know this how?” Olive asked, raising an eyebrow.
Athena shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Let’s just say I have my sources. Come on, what have you got to lose? At worst, you’ll have material for a hilarious vlog series.”
Olive chewed her lower lip, considering. The idea was absurd, but then again, so was letting her parents force her into a marriage based on an agreement made when she was barely a teenager. And Athena had a point about the vlog potential...
“I’ll think about it,” she conceded finally. “But if I end up married to a swamp monster, I’m blaming you.”
Athena grinned triumphantly. “Trust me, if Gerri sets you up, you’ll be too busy living your own romance novel to blame anyone.”
As they left the coffee shop, Olive’s mind whirled with possibilities. A paranormal dating agency? It sounded like something straight out of one of her books. But then again, wasn’t that what she had always dreamed of – a love story worthy of the novels she adored?
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of foundation work and increasingly outlandish scenarios playing out in Olive’s imagination. By the time evening rolled around, she had worked herself into a state of nervous anticipation. The family dinner at her sister Sapphire’s house loomed ahead, promising to be an exercise in diplomatic navigation.
Olive stood before her closet, eyeing her options critically. “What does one wear to a family dinner where they plan to interrogate you about your impending arranged marriage?” she mused aloud. “Probably not the T-shirt that says ‘I like my men like I like my coffee – hot, strong, and able to keep me up all night.’”
She settled on a knee-length blue dress that hugged her curves without being overly provocative. Pairing it with black heels and simple gold jewelry, she nodded at her reflection. Sophisticated yet comfortable – perfect for withstanding an evening of familial pressure.
As she applied a final swipe of mascara, her phone buzzed with a text from Sapphire.
Don’t be late. Mom’s already here, and she’s got that look in her eye.
Olive groaned. She knew that look all too well – the one that said Mariah Harper was on a mission, and heaven help anyone who stood in her way.
On my way. Have the wine ready.
The drive to Sapphire’s suburban home felt all too short. As Olive pulled into the driveway, she took a moment to steel herself. The house before her was a picture of domestic bliss – manicured lawn, warm lights glowing from within, the faint sound of children’s laughter drifting through an open window. It was beautiful, perfect even. And yet, Olive couldn’t shake the feeling that she was walking into the lion’s den.
“Here goes nothing,” she muttered, grabbing the bottle of wine she’d brought and making her way to the front door.
Before she could knock, the door swung open, revealing Sapphire. At thirty-three, Sapphire was the epitome of put-together – her blonde hair styled in a chic bob, her blue eyes warm but slightly harried.
“Thank God you’re here,” Sapphire said by way of greeting, pulling Olive into a quick hug. “Mom’s been here for an hour, and I’m this close to spiking her tea with something stronger.”
Olive snorted, following her sister inside. “I brought reinforcements,” she said, holding up the wine bottle.
“You’re a lifesaver,” Sapphire sighed. “Fair warning – Dad and his wife just got here too. And Mom’s new boyfriend is actually... nice? It’s weird.”
“Great,” Olive muttered. “Nothing like a full house to make this evening extra special.”
As they entered the living room, Olive was hit with a wave of competing scents – her mother’s signature perfume, the aroma of Sapphire’s famous lasagna wafting from the kitchen, and the unmistakable scent of tension in the air.
Nicholas Russo stood by the fireplace, looking every inch the successful real estate mogul in his tailored suit. Beside him, his young wife – barely older than Olive herself – smiled nervously, her eyes darting around the room.
On the opposite side, Mariah Harper perched on the edge of the sofa, her posture rigid. Next to her sat a distinguished-looking older gentleman, his hand resting comfortingly on Mariah’s knee.
“Olive, darling!” Mariah exclaimed, rising to greet her daughter. “We were beginning to think you’d gotten lost.”
Olive accepted her mother’s air kiss, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “Traffic was a nightmare. But I’m here now, bearing gifts.” She held up the wine bottle like a peace offering.
Nicholas moved forward, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “Good to see you, sweetheart. How did the board meeting go today?”
“It went well,” Olive replied, grateful for the neutral topic. “The new education initiative was approved unanimously.”
“Excellent,” Nicholas nodded approvingly. “The foundation’s lucky to have you at the helm.”
An awkward silence fell over the room. Olive could practically see the gears turning in her parents’ heads, trying to figure out how to steer the conversation toward their preferred topic.
Sapphire, ever the peacemaker, clapped her hands together. “Why don’t we move to the dining room? Dinner’s ready, and the kids are already at the table.”
As they filed into the dining room, Olive found herself seated between her father’s young wife and her mother’s new boyfriend. Talk about being caught in the middle.
“So, Olive,” Mariah began as soon as everyone was seated, “your thirtieth birthday is coming up. I trust you remember what that means?”
Olive’s stomach clenched. Of course, she remembered. How could she forget the arrangement that had been hanging over her head for nearly two decades?
“Mom, please,” Olive said, her voice tight. “Can we not do this now?”
Nicholas cleared his throat. “Olive, sweetheart, we made a commitment. The agreement-”
“An agreement you made when I was thirteen,” Olive interjected, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m not a child anymore. I’m the chairwoman of our family’s foundation, for crying out loud. Don’t you think I should have a say in who I marry?”
Mariah reached across the table, patting Olive’s hand. “Of course, you have a say, darling. But Marco and Isabella have a wonderful family. Their son is a brilliant businessman. You two would be perfect together.”
Olive took a large sip of wine, buying herself a moment. “Perfect based on what? An arrangement made when I was barely a teenager? Things change, people change. I’ve changed.”
“This isn’t just about you,” Nicholas said, his tone growing stern. “This union would strengthen both our families, both our businesses. It’s about legacy, Olive.”
“My legacy is the work I do with the foundation,” Olive shot back. “Not some arranged marriage decided before I even knew what love was.”
An uncomfortable silence fell over the table. Sapphire shifted in her seat, clearly wanting to intervene but unsure how.
“We understand this is difficult,” Mariah said softly. “But a promise was made. They are expecting-”
“Expecting what?” Olive interrupted. “A docile bride who’ll do as she’s told? That’s not me, Mom. It never has been.”
Nicholas frowned. “Now, Olive, be reasonable. We’ve given you time. You’re turning thirty, and you haven’t found anyone on your own. Maybe it’s time to consider that we might know what’s best for you.”
Something inside Olive snapped. “You know what? Maybe I have met someone.”
The table fell silent. Five pairs of eyes turned to her in shock. Sapphire nearly choked on her wine.
“What do you mean, you’ve met someone?” Nicholas asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Olive took a deep breath. In for a penny, in for a pound. “I mean exactly that. I’ve been... talking to someone. Getting to know them.”
“But... but the arrangement,” Mariah sputtered. “They’re-”
“I’m not a child anymore, Mom,” Olive interrupted. “I’m a grown woman who’s capable of making her own decisions. Including who I date.”
Nicholas leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “And who exactly is this person you’re ‘talking to’? Do we know him?”
Olive shrugged, aiming for nonchalance despite the nervous flutter in her stomach. “It’s still new. I’d rather not jinx it by saying too much. But trust me, he’s... quite something.”
“Olive,” her father’s voice took on a warning tone. “You can’t just throw away years of planning on some flight of fancy.”
“It’s not a flight of fancy, Dad,” Olive retorted. “It’s my life. My future. And I intend to have a say in it.”
Sapphire, bless her, chose that moment to intervene. “Who wants dessert? I made tiramisu.”
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of stilted conversation and meaningful glances. By the time Olive was saying her good-byes, she felt emotionally drained but oddly exhilarated. She had stood her ground, even if it meant threatening to date the undead.
As she hugged Sapphire, her sister whispered in her ear, “A paranormal dating agency? Really?”
Olive pulled back with a wink. “Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, can you imagine Dad’s face if I brought home a vampire?”
Sapphire shook her head, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. “You’re incorrigible. Just... be careful, okay?”
“Always am,” Olive promised, though they both knew that wasn’t entirely true.
The drive back to her apartment was quiet, allowing Olive’s mind to wander. Had she really just declared her intention to try paranormal dating to her entire family? Over lasagna and tiramisu, no less? It was absurd, and yet... oddly liberating.
As she pulled into her parking spot, a plan began to form in her mind. If her parents wanted her to find a husband so badly, she’d give them exactly what they asked for – just not in the way they expected.
Back in her apartment, Olive kicked off her heels and headed straight for her laptop. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before she decisively typed: “Gerri Wilder Paranormal Dating Agency.”
The search results popped up, and Olive’s eyes widened. There were testimonials, success stories, even a few news articles about unlikely couples finding true love. It all seemed too fantastical to be real, and yet...
Before she could talk herself out of it, Olive clicked on the “Contact Us” link and began typing an email.
“Dear Ms. Wilder,
My name is Olive Russo, and I’m in desperate need of your services. My parents have arranged a marriage for me, but I believe there’s someone out there who’s truly perfect for me – even if they might not be entirely human.
I know this might sound crazy, but I’m willing to keep an open mind. After all, love comes in all shapes, sizes, and species, right?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, A pretty desperate Olive Russo P.S. If you happen to have any eligible dragon shifters on your books, I wouldn’t be opposed. I’ve always wanted to fly.”
Olive hit send before she could second-guess herself. As soon as the email whooshed off into cyberspace, a mix of excitement and trepidation washed over her. What had she just done?
With a shake of her head, Olive stood and headed to her bedroom. Whatever came of this, it was bound to be an adventure. And if nothing else, it would make for one hell of a vlog series.
As she changed into her silk pajamas, Olive caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright with anticipation. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly alive.
“Well, Olive,” she said to her reflection, “looks like you’re about to find out if there really are monsters under the bed. Here’s hoping they’re the sexy kind.”
With a laugh, she crawled into bed, her mind swirling with possibilities. Vampires, werewolves, dragons – oh my! As she drifted off to sleep, Olive couldn’t help but wonder what Gerri Wilder would make of her request.
In the dark of night, as Olive dreamed of brooding vampires and smoldering werewolves, the wheels of fate had already begun to turn. Somewhere out there, her perfect match was waiting – fangs, fur, or otherwise. And Gerri Wilder was just the woman to bring them together.