Chapter 33: Dating Service

SLOAN

“Well, everyone, thanks for coming. I’m going to grab a few more snacks. Does anyone need a refill?” I smile as everyone gets comfortable on the couches.

Kade stands and helps me count drinks, then meets me in the kitchen. “Whoa, is it just me or is everyone horned up tonight?” Kade chuckles.

“I mean, we did kind of just have a girls’ talk. Everyone is coupling up, but it remains to be seen who falls for Archer’s enigmatic charm,” I explain.

“So, Rhea…?”

“Is all about Sean. I think it’s sweet.”

“It is. Sean is a big personality, so people assume he gets around, but he doesn’t usually date. If he likes her and admits it, he must really like her.” Kade grins proudly.

“You’re so evolved, letting your little sister date.”

“I mean, I don’t have a choice. If it’s one of my friends that I have a little sway over, even better. Hopefully, he’ll treat her right.”

“What do you think about Archer?” I ask.

“He… You know, I love them all, but even we haven’t unraveled all his layers. He’s quite complicated; he needs someone to challenge him and figure him out.”

“Priya?” I suggest.

“Sloan, stop marrying off my sisters to my friends,” he balks.

“I’m sorry, but you see, we all just had a moment in the kitchen. You wanted me to have friends,” I explain with a small smile—the smile that usually helps me get my way.

“I still do.”

“Well, they said I’m the boss and it’s my job to find them all men now. I figure if I can keep it all in the circle, then we can all keep hanging out.”

“As long as nothing goes sour.”

“That’s not like you. Where is the insufferable man I met who believes in love?” I giggle as I poke at his belly.

“That’s because I knew I loved you the moment I met you. I had to believe it would work out.”

“Your sweet talk won’t change my mind.” I giggle. “Look at us; it worked out, and we’re so happy.”

I hold my belly affectionately, and Kade places his hand on top of mine. “All right, if everyone can be this happy, who am I to stand in the way?” he relents. “Why not let Carly talk to Archer?”

“Would never work; they are both too quiet.”

“So, Carly is left out?”

“No, I’ll figure this out.”

“How?”

“Just give me time. I am the championship planner in this relationship.”

Kade laughs and then spins me around before he lays a kiss on me so passionately, I almost lose my footing.

He settles me before he lets go, and we both head into the living room with everyone’s food and drinks.

I want to take a few minutes to check in with the girls, so I sit between Abbot and Rhea. “Who wants to spill first?”

Rhea smiles. “He’s into the game now, I can talk.”

“What’s up? How are you feeling?”

“Happy. I’m in deep, like,” Rhea muses.

“Go, Rhea! Take him for a walk or something,” I suggest. “And Ab?”

“I’m into Finn but I’m not willing to jump in, because he’s so shy; I can’t tell how he’s feeling,” Abbot says with a nervous smile.

“Just give him time.”

Abbot’s phone lights up with the face of a handsome man, and I read the name ~Nikolai~.

“Ooooh, who is Nikolai?”

Abbot giggles. “Um…”

“Abbot!”

“He’s my brother?”

“He’s cute! Tell him to come over,” I insist.

“Why? He’s a snob,” she snorts.

“Well, because we have one too many girls here tonight, and maybe Carly or Priya will like him. It’s a sisterhood, remember,” I push.

“If you insist but don’t be mad at me if he comes off all pretentious. He was there at Dubois the other day when you came to see me and didn’t even say hi.”

I giggle. “Well, I didn’t say hi either.”

“Damn, Sloan, you’re nothing if not persuasive.” Abbot stands and takes her phone into another room to call her brother.

It only takes a little bit of time before the doorbell rings again, and I head to the front door to open it. The guy from Abbot’s phone is standing there, smiling.

It’s undeniable that he is her brother; they could almost be twins. He has the same creamy complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair as Abbot.

“Wow, hi, are you Sloan?” He smiles as he extends a hand.

“That’s me.”

“Hi, I’m Nik, Abbot’s brother.”

I smile. “Nice to meet you, come on in.”

He doesn’t seem pretentious at all; I don’t know what Abbot is talking about.

Soon, everyone is mingling on the deck, and Kade comes over to me. “Are we like a dating service now?”

“I don’t know, babe, it was uneven. That’s Abbott’s brother. What are the odds?” I smile and try to play off the fact that I know Carly is into Nik.

“He looks really familiar.”

“He’s someone from Dubois. Maybe you follow them on Instagram or something?”

“Maybe. So, what are you hoping for, that he and Carly hit it off?” he asks but then adds, “And Priya?”

“With Archer,” I explain.

“Sloan! How am I supposed to just be okay with this?”

“Aren’t they your very best friends?”

“Yes, besides you.”

“Then, be happy.”

He laughs. “Dammit.”

“What?”

“Stop making so much sense.”

“I’m not forcing anyone to do anything. I’m just putting all the right people in the same room and letting nature take its course,” I explain.

“I guess you’re right.”

“Marriage lesson number one, babe: I’m always right.”

“So, I’m learning?” He chuckles before he kisses me sweetly. “I’m going to go put the finishing touches on dinner before everyone gets too drunk to eat,” he explains.

“Let me. I need to check in with the girls. Help me out, see where the guys’ heads are at,” I insist.

“I can’t help feeling like we’ve switched roles here. I used to be the one who pushed you out of your comfort zone.”

“You love it when I challenge you; it’s pretty much what our relationship is built on.”

He swats my butt with a smirk as I head away from him to gather the girls.

KADE

Sean and Rhea, that is one thing. Sean is my best friend, and honestly, it makes sense. In fact, it makes so much sense, I’m mad I didn’t think of it myself.

But the other guys, I’m just not so sure.

It doesn’t seem like it matters if I’m feeling a little reluctant about this whole thing. I already got Sloan to throw away her life plan, so I can take this from her.

And, anyway, she’s right. She’s not really doing anything except inviting people over.

I round up the guys once the girls all go inside and try to do what my brand-new wife just asked of me.

“I’m on a mission to see where your heads are at?” I say with a grin.

“What?” Sean laughs.

“Some of the girls are interested in you; for what reasons, I don’t know,” I say.

Archer chuckles. “Harsh.”

“We’ll start with you, then, Archer. Are you having a nice night?” I ask, trying to bring this around.

“Yeah,” he says shyly, his entire demeanor changing in an instant.

Finn smiles. “Whoa, is he blushing?”

“Holy shit! Mr. Enigma himself, who’s done that to you?” I ask.

Archer stutters like he doesn’t want to admit it out loud. “Priya.”

He winces like he’s waiting to get punched, but I just smirk at him.

I realize that this new guy, Nik, is just standing off to the side, trying to figure us out. “Sorry, Nik, we must seem like a group of crazy people to you.”

“No problem, have you forgotten who my sister is?” He chuckles.

“By the way, thanks for inviting me. I know you don’t know me but I don’t know a lot of people in town, I’ve just relocated from Chicago to take more of a role in the corporate office.

“I was getting bored of always hanging out with my sister.”

I laugh. “Hey, the more the merrier.”

The conversation kind of goes downhill from there, but I’m able to ascertain that Sloan seems to be dead on with her matches.

What are the odds that everyone will hit it off though?