Matchmaker 02: February

She smiled softly. "Where are you going to stay until you find a place?"

"I've rented a suite at the Hacienda."

"I think I can do better than that." I reached over and pulled her lips to mine, kissing her slowly. She sighed softly as our lips parted. "I've missed that."

"So have I."

She pulled away and opened her door. "Come on. I'm hungry and we've got a lot to talk about."

I was looking over candidates for my latest client, the CEO of a startup software company based in Seattle, when my phone rang. It was my private number, the one I gave only to clients.

"This is Brooklyn."

"Brooklyn, Ryker Teaton. You've been trying to reach me?"

"I have."

"Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but I've been out of the country. I got home just yesterday. What can I do for you?"

"I'm following up to make sure you're satisfied with my services."

"I couldn't be happier. You've quite literally changed my life."

I smiled. "That's good to hear. Are you and Ms. Preston still seeing each other?"

"Oh yes, but it's more than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, because of the trip you scheduled for Deanna and me, not only did I find Deanna, but I have started a life of my own. I'm living in Santa Fe now, and I couldn't be happier. We couldn't be happier."

"So I can count on you for a reference?"

"You may absolutely use me as a reference. I'm on the ocean a month at a time, so I might be a little difficult to reach, but I'll be happy to assist you in any way I can."

"Thank you, Mr. Teaton. I appreciate that."

"No, thank you, Brooklyn. You're amazing. And it's Ryker."

"I'm glad I could be of service. If you decide you need my services in the future, you have my number."

"I don't believe that will be necessary."

"That's great news. Most people want repeat customers. I don't."

He chuckled. "I can understand that. Anything else I can do for you?"

I could sense he wanted to get off the call. "No. Nothing at all."

"Okay. I have to go. Deanna will be here in a few minutes. She's got some apartments lined up for me to look at."

"Then I won't keep you."

"Thanks again, Brooklyn. I mean that from the bottom of my heart."

"You're welcome, Ryker. Tell Ms. Preston I said hello."

"I will," he said and then was gone.

I smiled. Another satisfied customer. I turned back to my computer, flipping through my collection of available companions, looking for something in their submitted profiles that caught my attention. This was always the most difficult part, winnowing the list of potential companions down to the half-dozen or so I wanted to interview.

I was well paid for my efforts, but for me there was more to the job than the money. My mission, my passion, was finding that special someone for my clients. I loved my job. Hearing my client's happy voices filled me with a deep satisfaction.

Someone once said money can't buy happiness. Maybe it couldn't, but it could buy my services. Nothing was certain, but for Ryker and Deanna, it sounded like Ryker's money had been well spent.