A Leash on Love (McKenzie Ridge)

Chapter 1

“H ere goes nothing,” Alex said as her sleek black rideshare glided to a stop behind a glittering parade of luxury cars.

One by one, guests spilled out, swept into the pompous affair unfolding on the red carpet outside one of Portland’s most prestigious hotels—nestled like a crown jewel among the city’s towering skyscrapers.

She stepped out like she was someone—cameras flashing as if they had any clue who she was. In reality? Just an out-of-towner playing dress-up. And then it happened—her heel caught the hem of her flowing dress, nearly sending her face-first down the red carpet of shame. So much for blending in.

She smiled as the crowd gasped, noting the snickers among the concerned, “I’m okay…”

She dropped her voice an octave, added a dramatic vibrato, and leaned full tilt into the awkward, “I’m gooood.”

She instantly regretted the awkward comment and immediately appreciated her lack of status and being a plus one.

She chuckled because if you couldn’t laugh at yourself when one hundred camera flashes were going off simultaneously and live streams were running, what was even the point?

But that was the problem, wasn’t it? Being a plus one– always the plus one, never the…

whatever the alternative was. Being invited by family and friends to random events, from extravagant toddler birthday parties to over-the-top galas, Alex was always on the invite list as…

the most eligible bachelorette her friends and family seemed to feel needed to be married up so bad it was like the air they needed to breathe.

As if it were their life’s work to conquer the perpetually single, Alex Sullivan and get her hitched and save humanity and the world as they all knew it.

Alex chuckled to herself as she took one final look over her shoulder at the sea of people pouring out of the car line and onto their proverbial stage, while the last golden rays dipped behind the skyscraper backdrop.

She was leaving her quiet, peaceful reality at the door and entering a new sea of meddling people—that she was certain of.

They all meant well, of course, even if they were all liars, insisting they had no intentions of meddling and that lines of single men just happened to be in attendance everywhere she went.

Her jaw dropped as she entered the lavishly decorated event and handed her jacket to the coat attendant, revealing a stunning green evening gown that set off her auburn hair and golden eyes.

As she moved through the event space, she took in the pillars of florals and crystals dripping from the fixtures.

Everything was perfectly and tastefully touched with a bit of whimsy and extravagance for what was supposed to be a gala fundraiser for the local animal rescue society, but it really was…

a swanky ball for the stupidly rich who had nothing better to do than compare wallets with anyone who was, well, anyone.

Looking down at her gown, she nodded as if assuring herself she was dressed appropriately, even if she bought her dress online and it wasn’t couture––they wouldn’t notice–– or would they?

She shook off the temporary insecurity and remembered why she was there, and hunted for her sister who’d invited her to begin with.

Georgie wasn’t among the socialites and stupid rich but did seem to know everyone in Portland that mattered and often landed invites to things like this.

Perks of having a social butterfly, which was code for town gossip, were getting invited to things far beyond her own element.

It was fun to pretend for a night, though, and Alex felt like a bit of a Cinderella at this ball, but a free good meal and fancy drink while supporting the puppies and kitties of Portland was worth it.

Alex paused, spotting her sister in the distance, frantically waving her over. With a dramatic sigh, she followed—like an obedient little sister bracing for the latest round of matchmaking gossip and meddling mayhem about to crash down on her.

“Here goes nothing.” She said under her breath as she approached her sister and offered a warm hug.

Georgie quickly pulled away and sprang into full-on sister mode—fluffing Alex’s hair, tucking a piece behind her ear, then immediately shaking her head in disapproval and untucking it.

Without missing a beat, she licked the back of her thumb and reached for Alex’s face like she was prepping a toddler for picture day.

Alex leaned back with wide eyes and threw up her hands in mock surrender, as if under attack by a very determined glam squad of one. “Don’t even think about it. Your spit, your face… not mine.”

“Oh, Alex.” Georgie huffed, switching thumbs and swiping it along Alex’s chin, “Just evening out your makeup a bit.”

“My makeup is fine.”

Georgie glanced over her shoulder, then quickly spun back around, straightening with a jolt. She smoothed out her dress like it had personally betrayed her and flipped her hair off her shoulder with a practiced flick, as if nothing at all was amiss. “Oh good, here they come.”

Alex looked around with a befuddled look on her face. “Who?”

With an exaggerated eye roll, Georgie fished a napkin from her handbag and dabbed at the corner of Alex’s mouth like a mom wiping ketchup off a toddler. Alex responded with a swift, sturdy swat to her hand.

“What are you doing?” Alex asked, dignity barely intact.

Georgie gave up, tossing her hands in the air, but not before she tucked a wisp of hair behind Alex’s ear once more. “Smile. Got a good one this time.”

“This time? What… Oh no.” Alex pinched her eyes closed and clenched her jaw for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. “Georgie. Please say you didn’t.”

The question was pure habit, not genuine curiosity—she already knew the answer.

Of course, her sister had done precisely what Alex suspected.

She was Queen Meddler in the royal court of all meddlers, proudly wearing her invisible crown and plotting happily ever afters like it was a competitive sport.

She had a gift for manipulation, wrapped in smiles and subtlety, and wielded it like it was her full-time job.

The worst part? Alex didn’t even see it coming. She’d walked straight into the trap with a smile on her face and heels on her feet. Again.

And there it was… the “good one” her sister had found for her, strolling beside her devoted brother-in-law, Georgie’s husband, Luke.

He looked… nice. Polished. Put together.

But nice wasn’t exactly the emotion bubbling up in her chest. Annoyed? That felt a little more accurate.

“Oh, Georgie. Not again….” Alex pleaded, her eyes darting around, searching for the nearest exit like the building was on fire–– or, in this case, a setup in heels.

Georgie smiled sweetly—way too sweetly—while leaning into her sister and spoke through clenched teeth.

It was the kind of smile that promised sisterly love.

.. and consequences. “He’s wonderful. Kind, intelligent, and actively involved in the community.

He’s the head of the PTA at the elementary school. ”

As the two men got closer, Alex mimicked her sister's well-practiced faux smile. “I thought we talked about this, sis. No more blind dates.”

“It’s not.” Georgie rebutted, “He happens to be at the same event. What a coincidence.”

“I’m sure. Quite the coincidence.” Alex rolled her eyes, thoroughly unimpressed by the lazy attempt at deception.

It would take a lot more than that to pull one over on her—and they both knew it.

Truth was, Georgie probably wasn’t even trying.

This wasn’t strategy. This was habit. Any genuine effort had long since expired.

“Smile, Alex.” Georgie sang in a sing-song voice, flashing the kind of grin that said, "Play nice or pay later."

“Oh… I’m smiling.” Alex replied with the kind of smile that could scare small children—tight-lipped, slightly murderous, and all for show.

Georgie gave her sister a quick, sidelong glance. “You look like you’re about to bite someone.”

“I might.”

Georgie gasped, fully aware that Alex had just fired her first real warning shot of the night.

But it was too late to intervene—the two men were already approaching.

And as everyone knew, no great love story ever started with the intended love interest revealing they were a biter on the first date–– surprise blind date, as it may.

It simply wasn’t socially acceptable. And unfortunately for Alex… still very much frowned upon.

“Well, well, well. What a surprise. Fancy running into you here, Chuck.” Georgie said, leaning in for an awkward hug with Charles.

A flicker of confusion crossed Charles’ face, like he’d just walked into the middle of a conversation—and wasn’t sure if he was supposed to smile, apologize, or run. “Luke invited…”

Georgie let out an awkward laugh, jumping in before Charles could finish his thought. “Say, you haven’t met my sister, Alex, yet have you?”

Charles’ expression dimmed, a cloud of confusion settling in like he’d just missed the punchline to an inside joke–– and he was indeed, the joke. “I thought that’s why I’m…”

Georgie laughed again, flicking her gaze between Alex and Charles before jumping in with a formal introduction—her not-so-subtle way of steering the conversation away from the painfully obvious setup unfolding right in front of them. “Alex, this is Chuck Davenport. Chuck, this is…”

Now it was his turn to cut her off. “It’s actually Charles.”

“Right.” Georgie let out an awkward giggle, the kind that tried—and failed—to pass the blunder off as totally intentional. “Alex, this is Charles.”

Alex extended her hand to Charles with a polite smile—equal parts greeting and maybe a warning label. “It’s a… surprise to meet you.”

Charles took her hand with a tentative smile, his grip light and just a touch hesitant., “Mhmm…”

Alex glanced down at their joined hands and blinked at the limp handshake, her expression twitching into a grimace before she masked it with a forced smile.

She cleared her throat, gave a polite nod, and immediately began scanning the room like it held a secret exit—and a solid escape plan. She just might need one.