Craved Mate: Cybermates, Ayers, Candace [the rosie project .txt] 📗

purple hair, tattoos, facial piercings, and a baby on her hip strolled in and spotted Jacob.

“Jake! Your mother told me you’d replaced me, but I didn’t believe it. Where has the time gone? I remember when you were two-feet tall, picking the wedgies out of your butt crack, and eating your boogers.” She sniffled and wiped an imaginary tear from her eye.

Jacob grimaced. “Don’t embarrass me, Parker.”

“Fine.” She hip bumped him out of his seat and sat in his place. “Your mom wants you back up front. She said break’s over.” The woman turned to me conspiratorially and sighed. “He used to think I was the best thing since sliced bread. Now I’m an embarrassment. How quickly they outgrow their childhood crushes and move on.” She tore off a piece of cinnamon roll and handed it to her baby on her knee before focusing her attention back on me. “You’re just the person I was looking for. I heard about you.”

“Me?” I wondered if she’d heard about my ass-baring incident. I knew how fast news spread in small towns. I grew up in one just outside Syracuse. I should say I grew up in one until I hit my teens and became a slave to the recording studio for a decade or so.

“You’re Melody, right? Melody Manes, the one who’s singing at Arden and Flynn’s wedding?”

I nodded. “Guilty. Only, Melody Manes was my stage name. That was another lifetime ago. It’s actually Cameron, Melody Cameron”

“Don’t listen to anything she says about me, Mel.” Jacob cast one last worried look at Parker before leaving.

“He thinks I’m going to tell you that he’s crushing on you, but I’m not because I’m sure you already know.”

I laughed.

“The boy wears his heart in his eyes.”

I nodded. “Agreed. He’s a nice kid. He’s going to make some girl very, very happy one day.”

She looked after him and tapped her chin. “I might have someone in mind, actually.”

I wasn’t sure if she was joking or not until she leaned forward. “Call me crazy, but I have the perfect man for you too.”

I blinked. “Okay, crazy.”

She tossed her head back and laughed. “I asked for that. Literally. Let me introduce myself. I’m Parker Pettit. I’m the island matchmaker with a tremendous success rate, and I really do have the perfect man for you. His name is—”

“I have a boyfriend.” I did not deem it necessary to add that rather than enjoying a vacation with my boyfriend, I was enjoying a vacation from him.

“Oh. Is it serious?” When I hesitated, she grinned. “I knew it. No need to explain, we all make mistakes. Well, I’ll let you terminate Mr. Wrong. Meanwhile, let me tell you about Mr. Oh-So-Right.”

I stared at her. “Who?”

“Your dream guy. The one I intend to match you with. Free of charge, I might add, all I ask in return is a testimonial for my website, and it would help if you used your stage name. Celebrity endorsement, you understand. Anyhoo, he’s beautiful. He’s also kind, selfless, and a man’s man, if you know what I mean.” She winked. “Plus, he has a great sense of humor. How often do you find a total package like that?”

If you were me, never.

Her promises sounded way too good to be true, and I knew better than to take a gamble I could lose. Best to stick with a sure thing. “I’ll pass, but thanks anyway.”

Her eyes narrowed. “We’ll see. Either way, I’m excited I got the chance to meet you.”

I sat flabbergasted as she started singing “Alive in Your Eyes,” my one and only chart-topping hit single, way too loudly.

“The beat of your heart…the words on your lips…your love for me always…alive in your eyes…”

I looked around the dining room, hoping no one recognized me.

“Oh, I love that song! We’re so lucky to have you on the island and singing at the wedding.”

Fortunately, from what I could glean from the sly glances I shot anxiously around the room, Parker was the one attracting all the attention. No one even seemed to recognize me. “Well, actually, it’s my band that will be performing. I haven’t done a solo gig in years. And I haven’t performed that particular song in even longer.”

“God, I’m not kidding about this guy being perfect for you. I have a sixth sense about these things. Too bad you have to clear up the whole boyfriend mess first.”

I laughed. “As a forty-one-year-old woman, I am glad I have a boyfriend.” She could continue to delude herself with the assumption that I was clearing up or terminating something.

“Well, I have to skedaddle, but I’m so glad I ran into you. By the way, we’re having a party at Mimi’s Cabana tonight. You know the place? I was hoping you’d join us.” She grinned. “I mean…if you haven’t had enough excitement climbing trees.”

I groaned. “You heard. Of course you did. The whole town must know by now.”

“Not at all. I just happened to run into—well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll pick you up at Rise and Shine tonight at seven.”

Before I could refuse, she was gone and I was left sitting at the breakfast table, mouth agape, in awe of her persuasive skills.

Hostage negotiators could learn a thing or two from the woman.

8

Mac

“Why are you smiling?”

I was just getting home from work and my first stop was Heather and Warren’s to pick up Ame, but there was something about Heather’s smile that had my hackles up. I didn’t trust that grin, not at all.

“Parker Pettit called. She invited you to a party at Mimi’s tonight.” My sister saw I was about to protest and held up a hand. “I already told her you were coming, so I suggest you go and get changed. Maybe take a shower. You smell like dog.”

“I’m not leaving you alone with Ame. You’ve already had her all day.”

Warren cleared his throat from the doorway. Ame was seated on his lap and tucked into the crook of one arm