Chapter 8

EIGHT

T he charity event wound down in the early hours of the morning, leaving Olive exhausted but exhilarated. As she finally stepped into her penthouse, kicking off her heels with a sigh of relief, her mind was still buzzing with the events of the night - particularly her encounters with a certain tall, dark, and handsome tech mogul.

Olive padded barefoot to her bedroom, the plush carpet soft beneath her tired feet. She unzipped her gold dress, letting it pool at her feet before stepping out of it and hanging it carefully in her closet. Slipping into her favorite silk pajamas, she couldn't help but replay every moment with Chaos in her mind.

The way he'd looked at her like she was the only person in the room. The feel of his strong arms around her as they danced. The electricity that had sparked between them with every touch and glance.

As she removed her makeup and brushed out her hair, a thought struck her. Gerri Wilder. The matchmaker had been at the gala, and Olive had even chatted with her briefly. Now, mere days after their initial meeting, Olive had met a man who made her heart race like never before.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Olive grabbed her phone and dialed Gerri's number. It was late - or early, depending on how you looked at it - but something told her the unconventional matchmaker wouldn't mind.

The phone rang twice before Gerri's warm, slightly husky voice answered. "Olive, darling! I was wondering when I'd hear from you. That was quite an event you put together tonight."

Olive smiled, recalling their brief interaction at the gala. "Thanks, Gerri. I'm glad you could make it. Though I have to say, I was surprised to see you there. I still can't believe you've attended these events before. How have I not seen you there in the past?"

She could practically hear Gerri's mischievous smile through the phone. "Oh, I get around, dear. You'd be surprised at how many events I attend. Now, tell me, I have a feeling you want to discuss something - or someone - rather interesting from tonight."

Olive took a deep breath, her free hand fiddling nervously with the edge of her comforter. "Gerri, did you... I mean, was Chaos Amato the man you matched me with?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and then Gerri chuckled. "My, my, aren't we direct? But then, that's one of the things I like about you, Olive. You don't beat around the bush."

"Gerri," Olive pressed, her heart pounding. "Please. Was it him? Did you arrange for him to be at the gala?"

"Before I reply, I have a question of my own. Did you like Mr. Amato?" Gerri teased. "Did you feel a spark with Chaos? Did your heart race and did your palms get sweaty and you feel like you've known him your whole life even though you just met?"

"What? Yes. To all those questions."

"It's so good to see my matches working. Remember, Olive, trust those instincts."

Olive let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "So he is... I mean, Athena mentioned something about shifters, and I thought maybe..."

"Ah, yes, the whole paranormal aspect," Gerri said, her tone becoming a bit more serious. "It can be a lot to take in at first, I know. But don't let it scare you off, Olive. The heart wants what it wants, whether the object of its desire turns furry or not."

Despite her whirling emotions, Olive couldn't help but laugh. "Furry? Gerri, you make it sound like some sort of magical menstrual cycle."

Gerri's warm laughter joined hers. "Well, when you put it that way! But in all seriousness, Olive, my advice to you is this: enjoy it. Enjoy the company of that big, hunky shifter. Let yourself feel the excitement, the passion, and the connection. You deserve it, darling."

Olive smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at Gerri's words. "Thank you, Gerri. For everything."

"Oh, you're more than welcome, my dear," Gerri replied, the smile evident in her voice. "Just remember me in your vows when you two eventually tie the knot, hmm?"

"Gerri!" Olive sputtered, her cheeks flushing bright red. "We've only just met!"

"Details, details," Gerri said dismissively. "Now, get some sleep. Something tells me you're going to need your energy in the coming days."

With that cryptic statement, Gerri ended the call, leaving Olive staring at her phone in a mixture of amusement and bewilderment.

As she settled into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin, Olive couldn't keep the smile off her face. Whatever was happening with Chaos, whatever this new world of shifters and paranormal romance held in store for her, she was ready to embrace it.

Her last thought before drifting off to sleep was of Chaos - his intense hazel eyes, his strong arms, and the promise of adventure that seemed to radiate from him.