Set Up in SoHo (The Matchmaker Chronicles) by Dee Davis

incredibly romantic.”
    “You think Hallmark commercials are romantic.”
    “Well, they are. Besides, what’s not to love? Damsel in distress rescued by dark stranger dressed in Armani.”
    “I was lucky he was there. But considering the fact that I was covered in blood and vegetable guts, which I managed to get all over him when I passed out, I kind of think the romantic bit is a stretch.”
    “I wish it had happened to me,” Bethany said on a sigh. “So are you seeing him again?”
    “He asked me to dinner.”
    “What did you say?” Clinton asked, dropping back onto the sofa.
    “I said no. I just broke up with Dillon. It’s too soon."
    "Sometimes fate has other things in mind.”
    “Well, not for me.” Although a part of me was still regretting my decision.
    “I can’t believe you turned him down. I mean, a date might be just the thing you need to get your mind off of Dillon.”
    “Or make me think about him even more. Just because he dumped me doesn’t mean that I’m over him.”
    “Well, first off,” Clinton said, “you broke up with him. As I recall, he wanted to keep seeing you.”
    “And Diana.”
    “True. But you still get credit for the breakup. And in my book that’s extremely important.”
    “I suppose you’re right. But it still doesn’t mean I’m ready to start something new.”
    “It’s just dinner,” Bethany protested.
    “You sound like Ethan.” And just for a moment I could hear his voice in my ear. See the soft brown of his eyes. ... I shook my head, banishing the image. Clinton and his romantic talk were clearly getting to me. Or maybe it was the combination of painkillers and wine.
    Either way, I’d made the right decision.
    “He’s a nice guy. But I’m not interested. The timing just isn’t right.”
    “Okay, fine. I’ll stop pushing,” Clinton said.
    “Right. Like that’s possible. Sometimes I think you’re as bad as Althea when it comes to matchmaking.”
    “Perish the thought,” Clinton said, lifting his hands in protest.
    “Speaking of Althea,” I said, shooting a significant look in Bethany’s direction, “before my night quite literally fell apart, I seem to remember something about you letting her set you up? Funny you didn’t mention that when you told me you were going out with Michael Stone.”
    I sat back, watching her struggle to find words, delighted that I’d managed to turn the conversation away from me and my train wreck of a love life.
    “I was going to tell you, but I figured you weren’t going to be too pleased with the news.”
    “Well, I don’t like the fact that my aunt went behind my back to set up my friend, but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy about you and Michael. That is, if you’re happy about it?”
    “I’m ecstatic. I mean, I can’t really believe it. We had the most marvelous time. Incredibly romantic. It was like we’d known each other forever. We stayed up half the night just talking. It was magical.”
    “Sounds like something straight out of the movies,” Clinton said.
    “I know.” Bethany nodded, grinning like a loon. “And all because of Althea. I think maybe we’ve underestimated her abilities.”
    “No way.” I shook my head so vehemently my stitches hurt. “It’s just a fluke.”
    “Thanks a lot.”
    “I didn’t mean you and Michael,” I said, regretting my outburst. “I just meant that Althea got lucky. Besides, she told me it wasn’t a real match. I mean, Michael isn’t her client or anything.”
    “Well, that’s true. But anyway, the point is that I had an amazing time.”
    “Why didn’t you call me and tell me?” I asked. After all, I am her best friend.
    “Under the circumstances, I didn’t think you needed to hear about someone else’s happiness.”
    “It wasn’t someone else. It was you.”
    “Well, I’m telling you now.”
    “And, Althea’s part aside, I’m happy for you,” I said. “So when are you seeing him again?”
    “Lunch tomorrow.” Now that I was