The CEO Daddy Next Door by Karen Booth Page B

reflection in the men’s room mirror. Why was he so annoyed? Why did the interruption of the woman bother him so much? Was it because it was outside normal, polite behavior? Or was it because this was a powerful reminder of what Ashley’s life was like and what she was comfortable with—the unexpected, the out of control?
    Thankfully, the woman was gone by the time Marcus arrived back at the table. Their entrées had arrived, as well. He shook out his napkin and took his seat.
    â€œWell, that was interesting.” He wanted to let it go, but he couldn’t.
    â€œWhat was?” Ashley twirled pasta on to her fork and popped it into her mouth. A tiny bit of noodle poked out from between her lips, and she sucked it in. Her lips—why did they have to speak to him like that? Even when he was angry with her, she could do these sexy things that stopped him dead in his tracks.
    â€œThe interruption of our meal.”
    â€œIt was just for a few minutes, Marcus. It’s really not a big deal.”
    â€œI don’t understand how you stand it.”
    â€œShe was crying. What was I supposed to do?” She leaned forward and whispered, “Tell her to shove off because I was on a date with my fake boyfriend?”
    A sputter left his throat. “Don’t call me that.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry. My disgruntled neighbor.”
    His brain said that he was her embattled neighbor. As she gathered her hair in her hands and twisted it to the side, draping it over her shoulder, his body said he was her horribly frustrated neighbor. “And I wasn’t asking you to get rid of her, but you also didn’t have to listen to her entire life story. That seemed excessive.”
    â€œShe needed someone to listen to her, she sought me out and I wasn’t about to turn her away. This is what I do, Marcus. I counsel people. I help them find love. I help them understand the things that are keeping them from love.”
    He certainly felt put in his place. “You actually take this seriously when the cameras aren’t on?”
    Her eyes grew impossibly large. “You do realize I’m actually qualified to do this, right? I Googled you and you couldn’t be bothered to do the same? After all this time?”
    â€œI’m not nosy. And it’s none of my business.”
    She shook her head and returned to her pasta. “I’m a licensed professional counselor, Marcus. I was a clinical counselor for years before the matchmaking show came about. I’ve clocked a lot of hours listening to people tell me how unhappy they are, especially with their love lives.”
    â€œHow in the world did you get a television show out of that? You must have really pulled some strings.”
    Her shoulders dropped with exasperation. “The show was an accident. I had two clients who I was sure were perfect for each other. So I arranged for them to meet by accident in my waiting room.”
    â€œThat hardly seems ethical.”
    â€œIt probably isn’t, but you know what? They’re married with two kids and incredibly happy, so I don’t regret it for a second. My female client figured out what I’d done, and she was immensely thankful and grateful. We had a talk about matchmaking, and I told her that I’d been doing it since I was a kid.”
    His vision narrowed. “You what?”
    â€œMy first match was in fifth grade. My best friend, Elizabeth, and a boy named Sam. They just seemed like they belonged together, but they hated each other. I was signed up to help the teacher after school on the same day as Sam, but I pretended to be sick and got Elizabeth to do it instead. They were boyfriend and girlfriend the next day.”
    â€œDon’t tell me they’re married with two kids.”
    â€œNo, they’re not. But they were each other’s first kiss. And they actually ended up friends, so I didn’t do too badly the first time around. That was