Chapter 6

"So, he truly doesn'tremember anything?" Jaime asked. She was sitting on the floor of her living room across from Maggie while fourteen-month-old Emma toddled between them. Emma was busily pulling toys out of the toybox beside Jaime and carrying them over to drop into Maggie's lap.

Maggie had texted Jaime the minute Noah dropped her off at her apartment after their coffee shop visit. Finding out that her friend was free, Maggie had rushed over to discuss the latest development in the situation with Noah.

"Nothing," Maggie said, blowing a stray curl out of her eyes and wrapping her arms around the chubby little girl, making her giggle by showering kisses all over her soft, pink cheeks.

"What could make that happen?" Jaime addressed her husband, Jack, who was seated in a nearby recliner, his face buried in a thick book. He lifted his head and looked at his wife. "What did you say, hon?"

Jaime smiled and shook her head. "It's the weekend, babe. That means you don't have to read about the latest in environmental science restoration plans or whatever that massive textbook is about!"

Jack gave his wife a bemused smile as he often did. Maggie reflected on how opposite, yet how perfect they were for each other.

Jaime was the kind of woman other women loved to hate. She was tall with a perfect, hourglass figure—even post-baby—and wide-set bluer-than-blue eyes. Her luxurious blond hair was currently twisted into a messy bun atop her head. But even with that, and the old joggers and T-shirt she wore, one flash of that dazzling smile could find even the most oblivious man falling over himself to do whatever she asked. And her husband was no exception.

Maggie switched her gaze to Jack. His lanky frame barely filled out the fashionable khaki shorts and short-sleeved button-down shirt that his wife had bought him. He was two inches shorter than Jaime, with kind brown eyes and a mop of dark hair that always looked like it needed to be combed. His nose was just a bit too large for his thin face and the square, black hipster eyeglasses he wore—another selection by his wife—were currently balanced at the end of it. He pushed them up with one finger. "I never have time during the week to read for fun like this," he defended himself.

"Fun?" Jaime shot Maggie a look that made her press her lips together to stop a laugh from erupting.

Jack marked his spot with a bookmark and set the massive tome on the table beside him. "You have my full attention now, my love."

Jaime flashed him one of her heart-melting smiles then summarized her conversation with Maggie and repeated her question.

Jack frowned and rubbed a finger up and down his long nose. "Some people experience a blackout effect from too much alcohol. That can lead to a type of amnesia known as Wernicke-Korsakoff's psychosis."

Maggie shook her head. "Apparently, he doesn't drink."

"Hmmm, well, it could be drugs. Or a hit on the head? You said he had a bruise on his face?"

"Yes, I tried to get him to go see a doctor, but he refused," Maggie said. "He just wants to focus on finding Valentina."

"He probably should get checked out, because it's really hard to guess how it may have happened without a medical diagnosis. However, most amnesia does usually resolve without treatment. I'm sure your efforts to retrace his steps could help his memory return."

He turned his attention back to Jaime. "Would you like me to take our little angel and put her down for her nap?"

Emma was snuggled onto Jaime's lap now, eyes drooping as her head lay against her mother's chest. Jaime nodded. "Yes, please."

He gently lifted the sleepy child and, cradling her against him, carried her out of the room.

Jaime got up and pulled Maggie to her feet, leading her over to the sofa beneath the room's large picture window. She plopped down on it, tucking her legs beneath her and angling toward her friend. "Enough about his amnesia. Let's get back to the more important part of this conversation," Jaime said. "Your date tonight."

"It's not exactly a date," Maggie said, feeling uncomfortable.

"Uh, you and your high school crush are going out to eat at one of the nicest restaurants in Whispering Pines," Jaime said. "It's a date."

"Jaime, our goal is to find Valentina!"

"Yeah, yeah, I get all that. But what are you going to wear?" She leaned toward Maggie with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Maggie tossed up her hands in exasperation. "I don't know, I haven't thought about it."

Jaime gave her a look. "Lie!"

"Oh, all right," Maggie grumbled. "I've thought about it."

"That red, ruched bodycon dress with the low back?"

"That seems a bit much," Maggie said doubtfully.

"Oooh! I know. You should wear that black spaghetti-strap V-neck dress with the skater-style skirt. It's a nice blend of casual and classy. Plus, it shows off your great legs." Here Jaime reached over to pinch one of Maggie's calves.

"Cut it out!" Maggie laughed, slapping Jaime's hand away and curling her legs under her for protection. "Seriously, Jaime, you know that I can't think of this as a true date. It's business."

This time it was Jaime who threw up her hands. "You do such an incredible job of creating perfect dates and love matches for your friends and your clients. But I've got to be honest with you, Maggie, you're an epic fail when it comes to turning your famous skills on yourself. When I think about that loser you dated in high school, and then those two jerks from our freshman and sophomore years of college..." Jaime trailed off, shaking her head.

"Jaime, you know a big part of the problem with those relationships was my—"

"I still don't buy that!" Jaime said, cutting her off. "I'm not denying what you've told me about your own issues. But those guys were egotistical jerks—totally into themselves—and they never treated you well."

Maggie's face flushed. She wanted to deny her friend's words, but she couldn't. She had bent over backward to be a great girlfriend to every guy she'd dated. But in return, she'd been taken for granted, used, and cheated on. All she ever wanted was to be romanced and to feel loved.

"Maybe you just need to look at yourself more objectively, think of yourself as another client," Jaime said. "Look at Jack and me. We would never have gotten our happily ever after if it wasn't for you and your mad skills, Emma." Jaime put an extra emphasis on Maggie's nickname.

Jaime and Maggie had met super nerd Jack Knightly at the same time, standing next to him at a party they'd attended their junior year of college. Jack was an environmental scientist going for his PhD. He'd been talked into attending the party by a fun-loving roommate who had promptly abandoned him upon arrival. Maggie had chatted with him for a bit and recognized his struggle with social skills. She'd noticed a box of conversation starter questions on a nearby table, and for fun she'd engaged with Jack by asking him the questions while Jaime had sipped her drink and searched for someone more interesting to talk to.

Maggie had been intrigued by Jack's answers, and after Jaime had wandered off, they'd continued talking. Due to Maggie's skills at connecting with people and drawing them out, Jack finally ended up confessing that he'd had a crush on Jaime for a while. He saw her every afternoon in the University Food Court and it was the highlight of each day. Like most men, he'd been struck by her beauty, but was too shy to ever approach her. "Besides," he'd added. "A guy like me? And a girl like her? Never in a million years."

But Maggie knew a potential love match when she saw one and set out to play Cupid for the couple. She remembered what Jack had said about the University Food Court, and for the next several days, she finagled for the two of them to run into Jack there. They had several conversations with just the three of them. But once it became apparent that Jaime and Jack actually enjoyed each other's company, Maggie smoothly removed herself from the equation. Maggie was the Maid of Honor at their wedding and now godmother to baby Emma.

Maggie refocused on her friend's face and sighed. "I know you're right, and it's frustrating. But the fact is, I'm great at playing matchmaker for everyone but myself."

"Look, I may not know matchmaking, but I know fashion," Jaime said. "And I order you to wear that little black dress tonight!"