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drags my name around with him when he pulls crap like this,” Conrad said, distracting Eli. “I may not cook the food served here anymore, but I approve every recipe. Our food is the best in the city, and I hate the idea of anyone being put off because of some arrogant waiter.”
    This was going to dig at him for at least two weeks. Eli knew him too well. Conrad loved his restaurant more than anything or anyone. Which was why he was still single, but it fulfilled him. Eli knew this, but his earlier annoyance at him for wanting to have dinner with Leila made him say, “She hated the miso-glazed sea bass, by the way.”
    “What?” His mouth actually fell open. “Did she actually say that?”
    “No, of course not, but she grimaced every time she forced herself to eat a piece.”
    “That’s one of my favorite recipes!”
    Eli shrugged, enjoying his shock for a moment.
    “Unrefined palate, that must be what’s wrong with her,” Conrad grumbled.
    “Yes, I’m sure that’s it.” Eli slouched down in his chair and leaned his head back. He loved this restaurant almost as much as Conrad did. Its elegant, but homey feel was calming. It made Eli feel like he was back at his mother’s house. Memories of her tried to creep up to the surface, but Eli shoved them away quickly and forcefully.
    The clink of his friend’s espresso cup meeting back up with its saucer registered with Eli, but didn’t make him stir. “So,” Conrad said, “what was Ms. Leila’s biggest fault, the reason she is alone. One word only. You know the rules.”
    The rules. That phrase struck a nerve. “Just let me relax, Conrad.”
    “Ha, this was an unspoken part of our business arrangement. Don’t fail me now.”
    It was a stupid game, but it did usually help Eli collect all his observations and arrange them into a concise list. One word to describe the woman’s greatest fault, then two, then a sentence, working his way into a definitive plan of action for each client. One word to explain why Leila thought she needed Eli’s help to fall in love and stay there.
    “I don’t know, Conrad. I honestly don’t know.”
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
     
     
    Unexpected
     
    Walking to The Fifth Street Café, Leila felt like Marie Antoinette on her way to the guillotine. She could tell herself all she wanted that she was being dramatic and idiotic, but it didn’t calm the feeling of ants burrowing under her skin. Leila really tried to take Eli’s advice last night to do something for herself, but her dread for this meeting kept her from relaxing. She reached the door of the café and froze. Did she really want to hear why she couldn’t get a man to call her back? Maybe not, but she wanted to be alone even less. Leila pulled the glass door open and stepped into the familiar hum of cappuccino machines and chatter. At least they were meeting somewhere low-key this time.
    Leila spotted Eli in a corner booth and took measured steps toward him. He stood when he saw her approach; such a gentleman. Leila wasn’t sure how to greet someone she went on a fake date with the night before. Handshake? Hug? Polite nod? She decided to go with a handshake. Her guess was validated when Eli shook her hand without pause.
    “Good afternoon, Leila. How are you doing?” Eli asked.
    “Uh, that’s up for debate right now. How are you?”
    “About the same, actually.”
    She wasn’t sure what he meant by that.
    Eli gestured for her to sit down then followed his own suggestion. Leila slid into the comfy booth. Its familiar faux leather paired with big picture windows begged her to tuck her feet up and sit with her back to the sun so it could drench her. This was her favorite spot to read a book. Being in her element instead of Eli’s helped Leila relax somewhat.
    “How was the rest of your evening last night?” Eli asked.
    Leila’s face scrunched up in confusion. “Huh?”
    “Did you enjoy the rest of your night?” Eli chuckled.
    “Look, no