New York Billionaires Series

Summer

“A boss a day keeps bankruptcy away,” my aunt says. She’s perched on the edge of my desk with a wide smile on her face. “Isn’t that what we’ve always said? And Anthony Winter is the biggest boss of them all!”

“Yes, but he’s not signing on as a high-paying client. He’s our new owner.”

“No,” Vivienne corrects me. “Co-owner.”

“With a fifty-one percent stake.”

“Still an important distinction.” She walks to the gilded mirror in the corner of my office, one of two at Opate Match. We’re small, but we deliver love to New York’s elite. Started by Vivienne Davis twenty-five years ago.

Now sold by Vivienne Davis, two days ago.

And she doesn’t seem the least bit concerned the venture capitalists she’s sold it to will dismantle us.

I try a different route. “It’s your life’s work.”

“Yes,” she agrees, fixing her lipstick in the mirror. Re-arranging her honey-wheat hair, styled into shoulder-length curls. “But we’ve been close to bankruptcy for years. I hate that word. After today, let’s never use it again.”

“We have plenty of clients.”

“Not enough, Summer. You’re worrying, darling, and it’ll give you wrinkles if you’re not careful.”

I sigh. Ace lifts his golden head from the floor at the sound and flicks his ears, attuned to my moods. “I wish I could be as happy about this as you are. I know it’s a good thing, it’s just… well, there will be changes.”

“Dear, I’m the one who should worry, not you!”

“I know, I know.”

“They’re not allowed to fire any employees in the first three years, I made them put that into the contract. You’ll meet Mr. Winter when he drops by the office tomorrow. He’s the serious, grumpy type. Definitely committed to turning our numbers around.” She gives a small laugh. “In truth, I think our ability to turn a profit is the only reason he’s willing to stand me.”

I meet her smile with one of my own. My aunt is an excellent judge of character. “He’s too good for a matchmaking company?”

“He thinks he is,” she says. “We’ll see about that. But I don’t doubt his commitment to turning this ship right side up. We need some business savvy, Summer, and we need their capital.”

I sigh. “Yeah, you’re right. I look forward to meeting him tomorrow.”

“Good.” She puts her vintage handbag over her shoulder and gives me a winning smile. “I have to head out for lunch, or risk keeping the Walters waiting even longer. Did you hear they’re celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary this summer?”

“I did, yes. That’s fantastic.”

“One of my triumphs. Suzy is out of the office too, had to run some errands. You’ll take a break, won’t you, darling?”

“Yes, I will. Ace and I will hit the park for lunch.”

“That’s a good dog,” she says, patting Ace’s head on the way out. “How about we have lunch at Olive next week? It’s been a while.”

“I’d love that,” I say.

“Then it’s a date,” she says, smiling. There’s the sound of heels on hardwood and then the decisive snap of our front door closing.

I lean back in my office chair and look down at Ace. My golden retriever looks back at me.

“Opate Match,” I tell him. “Sold, like a piece of furniture. To a venture capitalist.”

He cocks his head like only a dog can, as if he’s trying to solve a puzzle. But this is one I don’t have the answer to. Opate is Vivienne’s pride and joy. She’s poured her sweat, blood and tears into making it work for decades.

I know the decision to take in outside investors hadn’t been easy, even if we needed it. But her optimism seems unfailing.

Ace trails me as I head to the coffeemaker in the reception. Suzy’s desk is abandoned and the door to my aunt’s office left ajar. The three of us have tried to save this sinking ship for over a year, but competing with free dating apps, well… it hasn’t been easy.

I look out the window at the sun-drenched New York street and take a sip of my freshly brewed espresso. Selling out feels like the end of an era.

The buzzer rings on our front door. I frown, heading to Suzy’s desk. None of us have clients scheduled for the rest of the day.

I press down the answer button. “Opate Match, how can I help you?”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

The voice is masculine and clipped. “I’m here for a meeting.”

A meeting? We don’t have anyone scheduled, but Suzy’s made mistakes before.

“Of course,” I say. “Come on in.”

I hide the coffee cup behind a steel statue of Cupid and brush away some biscuit crumbs from my skirt before opening the door.

I don’t recognize the man who enters. He’s also tall enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. Dark-haired and suit-clad, but so are most of the men who come seeking our matchmaking services. No hints at his profession there.

Early thirties, I’m guessing.

I extend a hand and give him my warm, professional smile. “I’m Summer Davis. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He looks at my hand a second too long before clasping it in his for a brief shake. “I’m here for a meeting with Vivienne Davis.”

There’s a frown on his lips, as if the prospect tastes sour on his tongue. He’s one of the more reluctant clients, then.

“Yes, that’s right,” I say. “She delegated the meeting to me, but I’m sure we’ll get off to a great start. I take it this is your first time here?”

His scowl deepens. “It is.”

“Excellent. Let’s get you sorted. You’re welcome to step into my office, just through here… would you like a cup of coffee?”

“No.”

“All righty. Just let me know if you change your mind.” I close the door behind me and motion for him to have a seat. Despite the scowl, he has a good look. Not classically handsome, I’ll admit. There’s something too rough-hewn about his facial features for that. But he’s tall and broad-shouldered, with an old-world masculine look. Not to mention he has the dark, scowling thing down pat, and there are tons of women who like that.

Yes, I think. I can work with this.

I take a seat opposite him and fold my hands together on the oak desk. “First and foremost, I’d like to thank you for coming in today. It’s the first step, after all.”