Dark clouds rolled across the sky, casting the once-clear blue scenery into a gloomy canvas, as if hinting that the weather to come might not be perfect.
Behind the pale blue crescent-shaped counter, Nathanael leaned on his elbows, dressed in a military-green collared jacket, white tee, and cuffed black jeans. His chin rested on his hands as he gazed at his two eternally bickering best friends.
They were close enough for sparks, but no connection to speak of. No matter how much he wanted to pair them up, he'd only end up creating yet another set of frenemies.
But his job performance mattered, and if he could get this duo to, well, "capture" each other's hearts…or even just play along, he could earn himself a nice little bonus.
No matter how he looked at it, it was a win-win.
"I'm short on sales this month. Could you two maybe pretend to sign up for something?" Nathanael held his head in his hands, staring at his disappointing sales numbers up to yesterday.
It was painful. He'd only managed to match up one couple.
This job was slipping out of his hands at this rate.
"No way!" Braden and Elise said in unison, their years of friendship apparent in the perfect sync.
"With that kind of harmony, how am I supposed to believe you're not together?" Nathanael pressed his palms together in a pleading gesture. "Honestly, real couples aren't even half as in sync as you two."
"She just graduated from college, barely twenty-two. I'm twenty-four, and you want us to go on a mixer...?" Baden's gaze turned icy, practically pelting Nathanael with hail.
Braden figured Nathanael must be feeling like he'd lived a long enough life for this kind of suggestion.
"Fine. How about we split the bonus 80-20?" Nathanael decided money might be the best motivator.
"Nope." Elise pouted. "I'm not going on a mixer with him."
"Are you insulted?" Braden turned on Elise. "My standards aren't that low, you know."
"Hold on...what did you just say?" Elise gritted her teeth, hands on her hips as she pointed at him. "The day I get married, you better remember to be there at my wedding!"
"I'm looking forward to that day." Braden brushed a hand over her head like he was smoothing a cat's soft fur. "Make sure I get an invite."
Elise silently vowed to find herself a wonderful husband someday, just so she could rub it in his face. At the thought, her frustration melted away, and her previously furrowed brow relaxed, replaced by a smile as bright as cherry blossoms in full bloom.
"In that case, you should definitely sign up." Nathanael pressed on. "Let's go 70-30—just say the word!"
Elise shook her head again, standing firm. "No."
Nathanael bit his lip, clutching his chest in faux despair. "Alright, fifty-fifty?"
"Do you think you're making a sales pitch here?" Braden raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes narrowing at him.
Marriage was supposed to be a big deal, but Nathanael talked about it so casually, like he was striking a foolproof business deal.
"This is my job, remember? If I'm not matchmaking, what else am I supposed to do? Charity work?" Nathanael replied, unfazed.
Give up on making money? Not a chance!
Money might hurt friendships, but he'd rather bruise a friendship than his bank account.
"Fifty-fifty split? I'm in!" Elise said with a playful smile, her earlier firmness melting away. "So, how do you want me to help?"
Braden shot her a look of disbelief. Was she actually serious?
"Try it out for a month, and if it doesn't work, no worries," Nathanael said, handing over a file of eligible bachelors. "Even if it's not Braden, there are plenty of other great guys waiting for you. Trust me, I'll make sure you're happily matched for life."
Braden kept a calm exterior, but inside, waves of irritation churned. What did Nathanael mean by saying there were "better men" than him everywhere?
Had their three years of friendship really turned paper-thin when it came to impressing a girl?
Correction: "when it came to money."
"Addison Beasley, twenty-seven, enjoys swimming… Walter Morales, twenty-nine, plays the violin and is becoming a music teacher…" Elise flipped to the next page, bringing the profile closer. "Graham…"
"He's actually the same age as Braden," Nathanael snickered. "I just added him for numbers, he's not really into matchmaking."
"Well, that's perfect! He's not interested, I'm not interested, but we can pretend we are and split the bonus, right?" Elise grinned mischievously. "You did say fifty-fifty!"
"Of course! I've got this, don't worry. My loyalty is rock solid," Nathanael said, gripping her hand. Finally, the prize was within reach.
Braden, barely believing his ears, asked in a low voice, "Are you serious?"
"Of course I am." Elise thought about how that bonus would be perfect for a little afternoon tea outing with Ruth.
"So you're that eager to get married?" Braden pressed.
"I'm not that eager! And no matter how it happens, the groom wouldn't be you anyway!"
"Of course. If I were to marry you…"
"What?"
"I'll keep that to myself. Haven't figured it out yet!" Braden spun around and walked off, leaving the counter without hesitation.
Nathanael watched him leave, clicking his tongue in surprise. Was there really nothing between Braden and Elise?
"Hey, so how are we splitting fifty-fifty? What's your plan for the bonus?" Elise asked, not bothering to figure out what was up with Mr. Howe over there.
Nathanael looked horrified. "You're actually serious? You're how old?!"
With that, he walked away, too. As much as he valued money, he wasn't about to rely on a younger girl to boost his performance bonus.
Watching Braden and Nathanael disappear one after the other, Elise wondered to herself.
"So, is the fifty-fifty split still on?" Elise shouted down the hallway, trailing after them.
No way—she was definitely getting that bonus!
