On the last walk, she returned to the back of the stage and almost screamed at the sight of the last person she expected to see.
It was William Harrington, flashing his pearly whites and carrying a huge bunch of red roses.
“You’re here?” she blurted. Her knees grew weak, threatening to buckle. She grabbed the partition wall to keep her balance and kicked her shoes off. “Why are you here?” she said as she joined William. The other models continued to undress and change without batting an eyelid at William. He appeared unfazed by all of the half-naked bodies. His eyes were focused on Holly.
“I needed to see you,” he said, finally. He handed her the flowers. “There’s been a huge misunderstanding, and I’m very sorry about that.”
Like a bullet to the heart, Holly remembered what had happened at the party. She looked down.
“It’s okay. It is what it is,” she said, shrugging. “The show wanted drama, and I was never supposed to be in it anyway. I guess you just wanted to put on a good show, setting me up like that.”
William put a finger under Holly’s chin and tipped her head back. She bit her lip, looked into his sky blue eyes and lost herself in them.
“That’s not what happened,” he said firmly. “Cindy kissed me. Out of nowhere. I pushed her away and I saw you running away.”
“I wasn’t running,” Holly said defensively. “There wasn’t a reason for me to stay.”
“Is that why you came to Paris?” William asked, taking a step closer. His body heat radiated to her. Holly swallowed.
“I know who your mom is, now. I didn’t at first. But now I know why you don’t date models.”
William searched her eyes with his brows furrowed and gave her an odd look.
“Do you want to know why I don’t date models?” he asked. “Because they only want to get close to my mom.” He spoke quietly but not quietly enough, as several of the models in the room shot him dark looks.
“Not you though. I love that you don’t take yourself too seriously. You’re happy to be yourself. To be playful. You’re authentic and funny, and warm.” William’s face turned red as he seemed to realize he was rambling. Holly grinned.
“So, you don’t want to be with… Cindy? Wow. Is that her name? All this time I’ve called her ninety-four percent.” William brushed Holly’s hair aside and caressed her cheek lovingly.
“No,” he said softly.
“What about the compatibility score? We’re terrible for each other.”
“Who cares about a stupid score?” William countered. Holly chewed her lip.
“You don’t even know me. I could be a serial killer. Or an alien from Mars. Or someone who likes pineapple on their pizza.” It was Holly’s turn to ramble. William grinned, his eyes twinkling.
“I’ll take my chances… if you’ll have me?”
Holly glanced to the side and noticed the other models had all stopped what they were doing and were now staring at the two of them. Then she grinned and looked back at William. His hands slid around her lower back as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“So, will you be my girlfriend?” he asked. Holly shushed him and leaned in.
Her lips grazed his and her heart fluttered. He clutched her back and moaned as if he was taking in air for the first time. Holly closed her eyes and fell deeper into the kiss. It was like coming home after a long trip. His nose nuzzled hers and his lips sent tingles all over Holly’s body.
In that moment, she knew everything she needed to know. It didn’t matter whether she was in Paris or New York. As long as she was with William, she was home.
And even though it was early days, she knew they’d end up together, forever. Because despite what any matchmaker might think, he was her perfect match.
And she was never going to let him go.
Epilogue
Emily Stewart was sitting in her office, poring over paperwork, when her assistant walked in.
“This came in the mail.” She held up a wedding invitation. Emily beamed and reached out to take it.
“This is the best part of my job!” she said with a contented sigh. She ripped open the invitation and gasped at the happy couple pictured on the card.
“Well look at that. Holly and William are getting married!” she said, holding it up for her assistant to see.
“You know, these two have seriously forced me to up my matchmaking game. Finding a match isn’t always about compatibility, you know.”
She tapped the picture with her fingernail and hummed to herself in thought. So, the Billionaire Bachelor show was a bust. But she couldn’t allow the ridiculous charade to continue. The producers had wanted to spin a scandalous story, portraying Find My Companion as a dishonest, drama-loving business with no care for anyone’s feelings. The show would have ruined her reputation.
Not on my watch.
“Ms. Stewart, I have a Harold Jackson waiting to see you,” her assistant said.
“Oh. Send him in,” Emily said. She watched her assistant leave the room, deep in thought. After seeing how things worked out for Holly and William, she promised herself that from now on she was going to be more open-minded. Who cares if he’s a billionaire and she’s a single mom working two jobs to pay the bills?
Does is really matter where they’re from? Or their dress size?
No. She was going
