Chapter Eight
Joseph Anderson
Leaning back, I swirl amber liquid in my crystal glass. Sure, I’m feeling smug. I have every right to feel this way as I’ve hit at a hundred percent so far in matchmaking. I get a little too restless when I don’t have someone’s life to meddle with. We’re only as old as we allow ourselves to be. I choose to embrace my youthfulness.
“That boy’s hooked,” I say as I look at my long-time friend, Sherman, who raises his brow as he leans back in the comfortable armchair directly across from me, his expression a perfect blend of smug and curious.
“You’re sure this isn’t just him being bored? Wolf’s not exactly known for staying on the ground.”
“Nope, I’ve been told he’s constantly texting the woman and he’s been smiling more in the past six weeks than he’s ever done before, and not that cocky know-it-all smile, but the dreamy smile of a man falling in love. He simply needs a little push, as does Audrey, who’s a bit gun-shy herself.”
“You enjoy this far too much, my friend.”
I laugh. “So do you. You just don’t admit it like I’m willing to do,” I tell him.
Sheman chuckles. “What are we thinking? Stranded on a desert island? Business emergency at a couple’s resort? Snowed in cabin in the woods?”
I wave my hand in the air. “Nah, too obvious. We need something more organic for these two. Something that pushes them enough to break the tension but still leaves room for denial.”
Sherman grins as he thinks. We both lean back as we sip our fine liquor. We’ve brought a lot of couples together, and we’re good at it. Sherman claps his hands, making me jump. I glare at him as a bit of my expensive liquor spills. It’s far too good to waste, and Katherine keeps an eye on how much I consume, so I have to be careful.
“Spit it out,” I tell him with a low growl.
“A work trip. They both work too much and love it,” Sherman says.
I lean forward, intrigued. This could work. “Tell me more.”
Sherman laughs. “What’s happening in a week?” My eyes widen, and then I laugh.
“You, my friend, are brilliant! We’ll send them both an invite to the Anderson Venture Summit, which happens to be in Maui this year. It’s incredibly exclusive and has all sorts of places a person can hide away.”
“We’re so good,” Sherman says, feeling as impressed with us as I feel. We truly are good. “We should get a lot more praise with all we do for our family and friends. But, oh no, we get told we’re meddlers. Well, we might be meddlers, but it sure as hell works out for all of them. When are they going to show their appreciation?”
Sherman shakes his head. “They don’t know what they have. We’re never going to get the appreciation we deserve.” He pauses for a moment. “I guess I’ll settle for their genuine happiness and all of these beautiful babies being added to the world.”
“Yes, it’s all worth it for the babies,” I agree. I have my favorites, of course, but I don’t need to be saying that out loud. It hurts the other’s feelings. Then again, everyone knows I have a super special bond with my eldest granddaughter, Jasmine. There’s always a bond with the first, though. It doesn’t lessen my love for all of the others. I’m a very blessed man.
“Okay, we’ll send Audrey a message, telling her she’s been selected to feature the event on her blog, an all-expenses-paid insider look at the next generation of hospitality development. We’ll add a few buzzwords such as spa, luxury inn, unique outings, and she’ll be unable to turn it down. This is an invitation she won’t be able to refuse since no reporters or bloggers are ever invited to these exclusive Anderson events,” Sherman says.
“Exactly,” I say. “And we’ll get Wolf there by telling him we’re looking at his family's resorts to host future events.”
“He already knows we’re meddling and won’t buy it, but I think he’ll come anyway,” Sherman says.
“He’ll come because he wants to date Audrey. I think he’s going to be more pleased by our meddling than he’ll admit to,” I say with confidence.
“I have no doubt about it. Let’s make sure we get them on a private plane to the island so their date can begin right at take-off,” Sherman adds.
“That’s brilliant, my friend. We’ll certainly do that.”
Sherman raises his glass in a mock toast. “To true love, strategic manipulation, and tropical entrapment.”
I laugh hard at this. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll cheer to that,” I say before leaning forward and clinking our glasses together. The kids aren’t going to know what’s hit them, but I’ll have another great story to add to my journal of all of the beautiful love matches I’ve made through the years.
Audrey
I gaze at my email in confusion. How in the world have I gotten on the Andersons’ radar? Sure, our families run in the same circles, though the Andersons are America’s royalty. This makes me laugh. If only they knew... Nope. They can’t discover that little bit of information. That’s a secret I’ve managed to keep far away from the American press and out of my private life. But still, why is my blog attracting the attention of the Anderson Corporation? It’s growing, sure, but not big enough for an all-exclusive to a private Anderson event. Should I be questioning this? No. I’d be a fool not to accept, which is why I already did. I reread the email.
Dear Ms. Beach,
Congratulations! You’ve been selected for an exclusive press experience at the Anderson Venture Summit. Your all-expenses-paid trip includes round-trip private jet transport, five-star accommodations, and VIP access to keynotes, networking, and amenities. Please confirm your availability within twenty-four hours to secure your seat for your exclusive reporting on this event. Your itinerary will be provided upon confirmation.
Sincerely,
Anderson Resorts Promotion Team
I shut my laptop and lean back to gaze at the ceiling. This is so strange. I’m excited, though. This isn’t a little inn I’ll be writing about, and though I like to focus on indiscreet hidden treasures, there’s nothing to say I can’t write about fancier locations too. Maybe I need to have a separate section on my blog.
I’m still thinking about this an hour later when my phone buzzes, alerting me of an incoming text. It’s been a few hours since I’ve heard from Wolf, so a grin spreads across my lips. It quickly falls again as I read his message.
Wolf : Just got a suspicious invitation to the Anderson Venture Summit. I’d bet a million dollars you got the same invite.
I gaze at the message for a very long moment and shake my head as I laugh. I’m not sure why or how, but it seems I’ve been caught in the orbit of Joseph Anderson. There are many rumors of his meddling. Never in a million years did I think I’d be one of his targets. How in the world does he know about Wolf and me?
I don’t answer immediately; I move to my fridge for a yogurt cup, pull it out, close the fridge, and move to the counter. Adding granola on top, I move back to the couch, and take a satisfying bite. Once I’ve had a few bites, I respond.
Me : We’re either both being played, or you’re in on this.
Wolf : I’m not in on it, but I’m not hating it. I’m well aware of Joseph’s meddling ways. I’ve been trying to get you on a date for a while, though, so again, not hating this.
Me : So, Joseph Anderson, who shouldn’t know we’ve even met, happens to invite us both to an all-expenses-paid trap disguised as a business trip because he looked in the mirror one day and thought, hmmm, that Audrey and Wolf would make a cute couple?
Wolf : Well, he might’ve overheard me talking to my brothers and friends last week at the bar.
Me : What were you talking about?
My heart races. Was he talking to his brothers about me? It must’ve been good if it made Joseph Anderson zero in on the conversation. I shouldn’t be so delighted by this, but I can’t seem to help myself.
Wolf : You know I can’t share boy talk. That’s nearly as bad as sharing girl talk.
Me : I should take back my acceptance.
Wolf : They think they’re so smooth, though. We can go, have a great time, then plan an epic fight so it looks like their plan failed.
Me : Oh, I love the idea of that. You could pick me up and throw me in the ocean, then walk away with your hands in the air.
I laugh hard at this, thinking I’m quite funny.
Wolf : Are you trying to get me killed? I’m all for a fake fight. That could be fun. But if I dared lay hands on you, I’d be tazed and tied up before we moved a single inch. I’ve seen Anderson security, they make me look small.
Me : Even better. Maybe I’ll scream and beg you not to hit me again.
Wolf : You’re truly an evil woman... I like it.
Me: I have my dark side, especially when someone thinks they’re smarter than I am. I like a little payback.
Wolf : Don’t include me in on this revenge. I’m simply an innocent bystander in all of this.
Me : I don’t think you’ve been innocent a day in your life.
Wolf : Okay, maybe not totally innocent, but say yes. This will be great.
Me : I already said yes before I knew it was a trap.
Wolf : Good. I can’t wait to see you in a bikini.
Me : You won’t be seeing me in a bikini.
Wolf : Don’t break my heart, woman. That body is meant to be seen.
Me : True. There are some pretty hot surfers who will be on the beaches.
There’s a pause after this message, and I chuckle as I consume more yogurt. Have I just made Wolf jealous? I sort of love the thought of that.
Wolf : Woman, don’t make me go to prison for murder. The only man you’ll be looking at and flirting with is me. I want to be in paradise with you, and you alone. It will be heaven.
Damn this man. I toss my phone on the couch and pace my living room like a caged animal. Now that I know this is a trap, I’d be a fool to fall into it, wouldn’t I? But then again, since I’m aware of it, I can be cautious. Ugh. I’m not sure what to do here. I want to go. To get invited to an exclusive Anderson event is beyond exciting. And I do love Hawaii this time of year.
Okay, okay... and I’ll admit that the idea of being there with Wolf isn’t exactly the worst thing in the world that could happen. Maybe I go, we have our affair, and by the time it ends we’re over each other. That would be the ideal situation, right? I try to tell myself that’s ideal. I’m so damn confused I don’t even know anymore.
I don’t like being anyone’s puppet but as long as I’m aware of my situation I can stay in control here. I’m going. I don’t mind making Wolf wait a little longer to know though. Let the man sweat a bit. He’s not used to waiting for a woman’s yes, so I’m certainly good for him.
This man is trouble, and I’m afraid I’ve already fallen for him more than I want to... and we haven’t even had an actual date. He makes me laugh, makes me feel heard and seen, and he certainly makes my heart beat a little too fast. It would be better to run from him, but all I want to do is race right to his side. I’m always disappointed in reality though. Knowing this about myself, I should be truly over him by the time this trip ends. Then I can move forward with my life.
Good. That’s settled. I move to the bathroom and take a shower, smiling. Waiting for my final decision has to be killing Wolf right now. This cheers me up immensely. It looks like I’d better figure out what I need because I’m heading to Hawaii, and going to an exclusive Anderson retreat means I need to look and act my best.
If I focus on that, I won’t be thinking about what’s going to happen outside of the retreat... with Wolf. The thought of this makes my knees tremble. I have no doubt I’m about to make love to this man. I hope I survive the morning after.