Molly Matthews Meddles in Marriage by Jill Steeples Page B

she’d had with Paul had deteriorated into a damp squib.
    Rory’s eyebrows shot up, the deep pools of blue molten liquid beneath sparkling with amusement.
    “Well, you’re the expert in these matters, Molly. I know I haven’t got off to the best start here and I can see that you’re disappointed in me.” He gave her the puppy dog look, the one that played havoc with her insides. “But I have every faith in your abilities. I know you’ll find me the woman of my dreams.”
    Was he mocking her? She certainly didn’t feel like an expert. Not sitting here in front of Rory. She felt completely out of her depth, like a charlatan pretending to be something she wasn’t. And the way he observed her with that deep penetrating gaze, a quietly amused expression on his face, made her feel as if he could see right through her.
    Did she have any hope of ever finding Rory a wife?
    Admittedly the marriage bureau had been more successful than she could ever have imagined. You only needed to look at her photo board in the office of all the wedding days she’d played a part in arranging to see that she’d made a difference, that all her hard work had been worthwhile. But that didn’t mean she knew anything about love or held any great insights about relationships. If that was the case, then why hadn’t she’d seen the cracks in her relationship with Paul before they’d imploded? And why had she been stupid enough to believe that any man would be satisfied with her after having met her beautiful little sister?
    The fact of the matter was, sitting here with Rory, it suddenly occurred to her just how little she did know.
    “I don’t know, perhaps an Internet dating agency would suit you better after all? One where you can climb online and see photos of potential dates for yourself so you can get an idea as to whether or not they have that necessary spark that you’re looking for.”
    Now it was Rory sighing in exasperation.
    “It isn’t all about that, as you well know. And if you think I’m shallow enough to choose a partner based purely on what she looks like then you’re very much mistaken. And you’re seriously underestimating me, Molly.” She heard the admonition in his voice. “What I’m talking about is that connection you feel when you meet someone and hit it off straight away. You must know what I’m talking about. It doesn’t just happen with women, it happens with men as well. You meet someone and you know immediately that person could be your friend. That’s certainly how it was when Marco and I first met.”
    “Did I hear my name mentioned?” At that moment, Marco Faro bowled through the door in his chef’s whites, his distinctive wayward curls held in place by a bright red bandana, looking as if he’d just strolled off the front of one of his cookery books. “Rory!” He enveloped his friend in a bear hug, slapping him heartily on the back. After a few moments, he pulled free from the embrace.
    “And you must be Molly? Enchanted!” he said, picking up her hand and placing a kiss on her fingertips. “I’ve heard all about you.”
    “You have?” She didn’t know what surprised her more, the fact that her culinary idol was standing as large as life in front of her or the fact that a world-famous actor, renowned for his good looks and charm, had gone to all this trouble for her.
    “Marco, it’s such a pleasure to meet you!” she managed, feeling ridiculously star-struck as she tried to ignore the goosebumps running the length of her arms. As far as she was concerned, Marco was a legend. As well as having all his cookbooks on her shelves, she’d watched all his programs too, but she could never have imagined that she would ever meet the man, let alone sample his world-famous cuisine. And he was even more charming in the flesh than when he appeared on screen.
    “I hope you enjoyed the food.” He smiled, gesturing toward the two large, now empty, platters. “Rory said you would only need