Chapter One
Scott Davidson stood in front of the glass in his office, overlooking the cityscape of New York. The skyscrapers and the bustle of the streets below held his gaze, but his mind was miles away. His hands rested in the pockets of his tailored trousers, giving him an imposing, pensive look. Lost in thought, he barely registered the knock on his door.
“Yes,” he responded, his voice low.
His secretary, Lucas, stepped in with a stack of files in hand. “Mr. Davidson, you have an appointment for the blind dates your mother set up for you. It’s scheduled for 1 p.m., sir.”
Scott sighed heavily, turning around with a raised eyebrow that seemed to say, Really?
Lucas simply nodded in confirmation, unfazed.
Scott moved away from the window and dropped into his leather chair, settling in with a resigned expression. “Anything else?” he asked, as if hoping for a last-minute reprieve.
“No, sir. That’s all.”
“But,” Lucas paused, giving Scott a pointed look. “These files need to be signed before your appointment, sir.” He set the stack of files on the desk with a firm thud.
Scott exhaled sharply, eyeing the stack as if it were a mountain he had no desire to climb. “Of course they do,” he replied with a wry smile, picking up the top file and flipping it open. “You wouldn’t happen to know if my mother’s matchmaking schemes come with any bonus pay, would you?”
Lucas allowed himself a small smile. “Not that I’m aware of, sir. But I’m sure Mrs. Davidson would call it priceless.”
Scott rolled his eyes and muttered, “Priceless, indeed.” He signed the first document with a quick, impatient flourish, glancing up briefly. “Anything else, or is my mother’s dating calendar the only thing left on my schedule today?”
“Nothing else, sir,” Lucas replied, his tone professional yet slightly amused.
Scott gave a dismissive wave, indicating he could leave, then leaned back in his chair, staring at the files before him. “Great,” he muttered to himself. “Just another day in paradise,”he staring at the ceiling and wondering how he’d survive another forced attempt at love.
~
Lydia Sanders was sprinting down the bustling streets of New York, her hair whipping against her face with every gust of wind. She hadn’t even had time to brush it, not after waking up far too late. She clutched her handbag as it bounced behind her, weaving through the crowd with determined urgency.
Finally reaching the department store where she worked, she dashed through the entrance, barely pausing to catch her breath. A few co-workers glanced up as she passed, some smiling in amusement.
One of them called out, “Lydia, why’re you so late?”
Without breaking her stride, Lydia shot them a quick wave, mouthing, I’ll tell you later! as she hurried toward her station.
Lydia hurriedly slipped behind the counter, dropping her handbag beneath it before straightening up just in time to greet a customer who had walked in. She flashed a warm smile. “Ma’am, can I help you?”
The customer nodded with a friendly smile of her own. “Yes, I’m attending a charity event and need an evening gown.”
“Of course, ma’am. Right this way,” Lydia replied, gesturing toward the section where evening dresses were displayed. Leading the customer through the rows of gowns, Lydia began selecting a few elegant options, her trained eye assessing each dress’s potential.
“This one has a classic silhouette, perfect for a formal evening,” she suggested, holding up a sleek black gown. “And if you’re looking for a touch of color, this emerald green would look stunning under event lighting.”
The customer’s eyes lit up, and Lydia could already feel the satisfaction of helping someone find exactly what they needed.
As Lydia continued showing the dresses, she paid close attention to the customer’s reactions, picking up on subtle cues. She could tell the woman was drawn to something sophisticated yet bold.
“Here’s another one,” Lydia said, pulling out a deep burgundy gown with intricate beading along the neckline. “It’s elegant, with a bit of flair. This shade would really make an impression at a charity event.”
The customer’s face lit up as she reached out to touch the fabric. “Oh, this is beautiful. Do you think it would go well with silver jewelry?”
“Absolutely,” Lydia replied with a confident nod. “Silver would add just the right touch without overpowering the look. We actually have a few accessories that would match perfectly, if you’d like to see them.”
The woman smiled, clearly impressed. “Yes, please. You seem to know exactly what would work.”
Lydia led her to the accessories display, selecting a pair of delicate silver earrings and a matching bracelet. As she placed them next to the gown, the customer’s excitement grew. “It’s perfect,” she said with a soft laugh, almost to herself. “Thank you, Lydia. You really have an eye for this.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Lydia replied, feeling a surge of pride. Moments like this made all the rushed mornings and long hours worthwhile.
As she carefully folded the dress and wrapped the jewelry, Lydia couldn’t help but smile to herself. She loved helping people find a little piece of magic, something that would make them feel confident and beautiful. And, after all, she thought with a wry smile, maybe today was turning out better than it had started.