Page 118 of Stupid Matchmaking Love

She slowly nods. “Okay.”

“Do you feel better?”

Maya grins. “Yeah. I’ve been putting so much pressure on myself lately. I don’t know why.”

“It’s kind of a lot—the live streams, the entire town and some of the world watching. It’s just so much. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and think you’re not living up to expectations—but I’ve got a secret.”

“What’s that?”

“The only person’s expectations you need to live up to are your own, and there isn’t a map for this. I don’t know anyone who’s experienced magical matchmaking before. It’s an arranged boyfriend or girlfriend, if you think about it.”

She exhales softly, letting that sink in. “That’s true.”

I lean back in the chair. “So just take the time you need with Logan. If you win, don’t let that change your feelings, just go with it.”

“Okay.” She stands. “Thank you.”

“You feel better?”

“I do.”

I rise and walk around my desk, giving her a hug. “Now, go out there and do your thing.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As soon as she’s gone, I lean back on my desk and exhale. What a day. But tonight, there’ll be dinner with my friends.

And Rhett.

Knowing I’ll see him later makes the chaos manageable.

Chapter 38

Cristina

Flame sits on the bed while I pull a couple of pairs of shoes from the closet and slip a foot into one of each pair.

“Which should I wear? These”—I display my foot—“or these?”

Appropriately, the bunnicorn doesn’t answer, but it would have been pretty cool if she did.

“I think I’ll go with the slingbacks.”

You can never go wrong with slingbacks, my mom always says.

My phone buzzes just then, and my stomach begins to turn, expecting it to be another creepy text from Glen, but when I see it’s my real dad, my heart soars.

Missing you kiddo. Give us a call when you have time.

Well, I’ve got time right now. I slide on the shoe and start a video call. Both my parents answer, both smiling.

“Hey, honey,” Mom says. She’s got on her dangly gold earrings, and her silver hair’s up in a bun.

“Hey. Have you been painting today?”

“Do I look terrible?”

“No, of course not.”