Page 3 of The Payback Adventure
“Two people will fall in love.” Henry rubbed his palms together. “Just like you did. And Brett and Laurel Matthews, too. Not to mention all the other happy couples, now that I no longer limit my matchmaking prowess to my birthday.”
She shook her head. “We know.”
He laughed. “Admit it, darling. I’ve become an accomplished matchmaker.”
“You’ve let success go to your head.” Cynthia sighed. “Next you’ll want us to call you Cupid.”
“That has a nice ring,” he admitted. “But Henry will do.”
Cynthia leaned forward. “You know, Henry, it isn’t right to play around with people’s lives this way.”
“It is right, darling.” Henry flashed her his most dazzling smile. Of course, she was immune to the effect, but perhaps the server caught a glimpse. He loved flirting and the nuances that went with it. “In fact, matchmaking is my duty to those I care most about. If not for me, you wouldn’t be engaged.”
Cade nodded. “He’s got a point, Sterling.”
“I’m grateful to you for introducing me to Cade, but there has to be another way to find love than having you play puppet master.” She spoke with tenderness, and Henry knew she wasn’t trying to offend him. “Someone could get hurt. Not just an injured foot but a broken heart. Or worse.”
Henry drew back. “Don’t tell me you want me to stop!”
“I won’t tell you,” Cynthia said. “But I do.”
Little Noelle and Brecken popped into his head. He loved his godchildren so much. Besides… “My friends would be too disappointed if I stopped.”
“Not all your friends,” Cade admitted. “You do enough for your friends by planning trips and parties and all sorts of other fun things. The matchmaking isn’t necessary.”
Cynthia nodded. “Neither are your adventures.”
“Both are very necessary,” Henry countered, feeling defensive. “I’m not stopping.”
“It’s time you entered the real world, Henry,” Cynthia said. “If you knew what being sent on an adventure was like, you would change your tune.”
“I would love to be sent on an adventure.”
“You would?” Cynthia asked.
“Be careful how you answer,” Cade cautioned.
“Of course. It would be fun,” Henry said without any hesitation. No one would ever go to the effort to create an adventure for him. It was too much work. No one had that kind of free time or money. Not the way he did.
Cynthia straightened. “I’m so happy to hear you say that.”
The beautiful young server stepped from the kitchen and walked his way. The sway of her hips hypnotized him. He focused on her heart-shaped face. A pair of blue eyes met his. Clear and bright, her gaze made Henry straighten.
“Welcome to the Berry Bistro.” She greeted him with a wide smile, and he sucked in a breath. “I’m Elisabeth. May I take your order?”
Her soft voice was perfect for whispering sweet and not-so-sweet words into his ear. “Do you have any specials that could possibly compare to your dazzling smile, Lizzie?”
He expected her to flirt back. Women always did with him.
Instead, she pressed her lips together. “No specials this morning, and it’s Elisabeth with anS.”
Not just a pretty face. Charm alone was not going to win her over. He liked that. Most women simply fell at his feet. And wallet. “My mistake, Elisabeth with anS.”
She readied her pencil. “Your order?”
The only thing Henry wanted was her. Nothing else mattered at that moment. Not food, water, oxygen—strike that. He never gave up oxygen. The powerful urge to win her over took him aback. It must be the challenge he found so appealing.
“Would you like to order?” Elisabeth asked again.
