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

really looking, I realized Bethany was positively glowing. “And then we’re going out this weekend.”
    “Well, I want to meet him,” Clinton said.
    “I know—I’ll give a dinner party. It’ll be great fun.” I clapped my hands with excitement as the idea began to grow.
    “That’s really sweet of you. I’d love it. Of course, I need to run it by Michael first.”
    “Of course.” I nodded, already planning the guest list. “We can do it whenever you like. Just let me know. It’ll be the perfect opportunity for us to get to know him and for you to introduce him to your friends.”
    “And you can bring Ethan,” Clinton said, his smile just this side of goading.
    Fortunately, before I was forced to answer, my phone rang, the sounds of “Macarena” filling the apartment. (What can I say? I can’t hear any other ring when I’m on the streets. It’s a little embarrassing but I don’t miss calls.)
    I pulled out the phone and checked caller ID, all thoughts of dinner parties vanishing as my heart threatened to beat its way right out of my chest. “It’s Dillon.”
    “What the hell is he doing calling you?” Clinton spat, anger sparking in his eyes.
    “He wants his stuff back—including the dog.”
    The phone continued its merry jingle as we all three stared at it.
    “Don’t answer it,” Bethany said.
    “It’s tempting,” I whispered. “But I can’t dodge him forever. And he needs to understand that Bentley isn’t going anywhere.” I flipped open the cell.
    “Andi,” Dillon’s voice filled my ear, and I steeled myself. “You haven’t been returning my calls. I was worried.”
    “I’ve been busy.” My stomach had joined my heart, the two of them together making my head spin. I squared my shoulders, praying for a calm I most certainly did not feel. “What do you want?” I could barely recognize my voice as my own.
    “I heard about the accident. Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine. Honestly. No major damage.” If I’d been Pinocchio my nose would have hit the breakfast bar.
    “Good. Glad to hear you’re okay,” he said, sounding relieved. “I was also calling about my things.” There was an awkward pause, and my chest tightened. Just the sound of his voice made me weak. Damn it to hell. “I, uh, thought maybe I’d come over to get them,” he continued. “If you don’t mind.”
    “There’s no need.” The new, icy version of me would have been quite impressive if it wasn’t for the fact that my hand was shaking so hard I could barely hold the phone. “I’ve already boxed everything up.”
    “What do you mean?” He actually sounded perplexed. Sometimes Dillon could be incredibly obtuse.
    “I mean that there’s no need for you to come over here. I’ll have everything messengered in the morning.”
    “Andi,” he started, but I hung up.
    The phone immediately started to ring again, and I dropped it as if it had suddenly become radioactive.
    Bethany grabbed it, and barked angrily into the receiver. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
    There was a moment of silence as Dillon replied, and Bethany’s eyes narrowed. “Well, that’s not likely to happen, is it? You’re lucky she didn’t burn the lot. As far as I can see, you don’t have any rights at all here. Frankly, I think you’re a son of a bitch and I hope you rot in hell.” She clicked the phone shut and Clinton applauded.
    It’s nice to have friends.
    “Thanks,” I said, my voice now as shaky as my hands. “I don’t think I could have talked to him again.” I licked my lips, and drew in a breath. “So what did he say?” I know I shouldn’t care, but old habits, right?
    “You were right. He wants Bentley.”
    “Maybe I should give him up,” I said, my fingers tangling in Bentley’s silky fur. “I mean, technically, he does belong to Dillon.”
    “No fucking way." Bethany never curses. And she’d just done it twice. Which gives you some idea of how angry she was. “You’ve taken care of