, finding Journey exactly where she'd been all nigh

"Manhattan's Most Committed Bachelor," "The Number One Enemy of Matrimony," and

titan in a perfectly tailored suit. His expression was cold, his

To be partnered with a man like th

n't let t

her most presentable-and only-blouse and

the Department of Domestic Affairs (DDA) headquarters opened its doors. The

was called. A stone-faced, middle-aged c

nt of my pairing," Journey said, her voice s

yped withou

ion. She looked at Journey, truly looked at her, for the first time. Her eyes held a flicker of di

"according to the Act, Section 17, Clause 3, all matche

!" Journey pleaded. "It has to

does not make errors. Mr. Beaumont, like you, is an el

he background check? The Act says it considers shared backgro

d a few keys and turned t

t into account. According to our records, your childhood address and Mr. B

hat was the single, dusty road in the tiny fishing village wh

th the same name? Impossible. The vil

ystem determined a potential 'childhood connection,' granti

y, her back pressed against the cold, in

was blocked by this absur

ng, a black, armored M

rged. He wore sunglasses, but the cold, powerful aura he pro

Dane Be

ed to his side. "Sir, we're here. M

at the DDA's official seal, a cold,

his path intersecting with

ter pine, brushed past her nose,

was already disappearing into a private el

d the feeling. Her mind was consum

he had just passed was the oth

She had to call her dad and ask him