He nods. “I courted her for five years before that.”
I do the math. Even if he was eighteen when they got married, that makes him almost eighty years old now. I never would have guessed that by how fit and youthful he is in appearance.
“Do you mind me asking how you lost her?”
“Cancer.” He nods and then looks away for a moment to gather his emotions before looking back at me. “She fought it like a champion but in the end she was just too tired.”
“She was lucky to have you by her side.”
“I was the lucky one.”
Sigh. Big fat sigh. If nothing comes of tonight, at least I can walk away having met Robert and knowing that true love really does exist.
“That’s why I’m here,” he continues without my prompting. “One of her last wishes was for me to find happiness again. But she was crazy in thinking that. She was my happiness.”
“Maybe a friend then. Someone who can keep you company.”
“Perhaps, but I doubt it. She was my life.” He takes a sip of his drink and shakes his head as if he’s remembering. And I let him without interruption because obviously he’s lonely. What does it hurt to listen to him for a few moments so he doesn’t feel so alone for a bit? “We had a good one, you know? We started a company together, we raised three incredible daughters together, and then when they left home, we lived our life like every day was a bucket list.”
“That’s incredible.” We both turn to follow the laughter across the terrace. Zane is the center of attention amid a small group of men and women, all looking like they just stepped off of a runway. He’s animated and owning the audience, by the looks of their facial expressions. Unexpectedly, something Robert said to me clicks in my mind. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but you said you’re here because of your wife’s wish for you . . .”
“Yes.” That kind smile is back on his lips as he nods. “That company we started . . . well, we sold it at one point and were able to tuck that money away, invest it, and make something of it. Her other wish besides me finding happiness again was to take some of that money we’d earned and help others find the kind of love we had.”
“I feel like I keep saying it, but that’s incredible, Robert.”
“That’s why I’m here. To see if I want to back this venture. SoulM8.com has a great premise. Its use of artificial intelligence technology to help in the matchmaking process is unprecedented compared to the other platforms out there. The results after their beta trial were phenomenal. I think it’s going to be a huge success.”
“Then why do you sound so hesitant?” I probe, trying to make the connection.
“I don’t know,” he says and looks into his empty glass before looking back up and meeting my eyes. “If Sylvie was here, she’d tell me to pick the spokesperson, write the check, and see how it pans out.”
“Spokesperson?”
“Yes.” He looks around the people on the patio and then waves his hand at the lot. “Supposedly, I get final say in who will represent the company. I’m sure Zane over there already has his favorite picked out, but frankly I don’t feel like I can relate to any of the women I’ve met here tonight other than you.”
I nod and smile softly as his compliment hits my heart. My own eyes flicker about the ladies here and wonder which ones are in the running. None of them have things that I don’t.
“Why are you wavering in backing the company?” I ask.
“Because of him.” Robert lifts his chin toward where Zane was standing but doesn’t mention him by name. I don’t say anything because I suddenly feel uncomfortable. “He tells me he believes in the power of the SoulM8 platform and it’s worked for him. He tells me that he believes love is more important in someone’s life than money . . . but he’s also a salesman. And he comes off like a player. How can I trust that he’s not just telling me what I want to hear so I write a check?”
“Robert . . .”
“Sylvie could see through bullshit a mile away. Me? I’m more trusting and . . .”
Zane’s words echo in my ears. Love’s a stupid emotion fabricated to define relationships.
Everything Robert is saying is correct, and yet I can’t bring myself to tell him otherwise.
And then an idea hits me. What if I could protect Robert, put the self-righteous Arrogant Aussie in his place, and do something for myself?
You have to take opportunities when they present themselves.
I think you’re going to regret giving me that advice, Zane.
“Robert! How are you getting along?” Zane’s voice booms behind me as his hand comes in and slaps him on the back.
“Great, thank you.”
“Harlow,” Zane says, but I don’t miss the way his gaze travels up and down the length of my body before landing on my eyes.
“Zane,” I say with a nod and an overly saccharin smile as I prepare myself to make my move. “I was speaking to Robert here and was just about to tell him the good news.”