The Blind Date by Landish, Lauren (suggested reading .txt) 📕

“I have my ways,” Lady Elisa tells me slyly. “Specifically, an executive assistant who thinks Riley Sunshine is the hottest new thing. An opinion shared by my daughter. I took a look. She seems to have a good following in a niche market.”

From a businesswoman like Elisa, that’s high praise.

“And you met her through BlindDate,” Lady Elisa continues. My jaw drops, and she winks. “As I said, I have my ways.”

“I’m beginning to wonder if you’ve got superpowers,” I say uncomfortably.

Talking to my family about Riley is one thing, talking to my boss quite another. And no one outside our circle knows how we met. Though I wouldn’t put it past Elisa to be running her own stats on the app. I’d like to get my hands on those and see what she looks for compared to what I look at. Though figuring out the naming constructs seems to be a bit of an overreach, but there’s no other way she’d know I’m Mark and Riley is Rachel.

Unless River?

No, he wouldn’t. I know that much. I think.

She laughs. “I wish. However, I find the most useful superpower to be courage. Making use of those opportunities I mentioned. Like your situation.”

“Situation?” I parrot.

“What an app like BlindDate needs is a happy ending. Members, prospective and existing, need to know that BlindDate works. And your relationship with Riley is a golden example of that. Two people taking a chance on love, using the latest technology and AI to find their perfect match, a meet-cute, and then . . . voila, love and a happily ever after. It’s utterly genius.”

Elisa is excited, creative energy pouring over her red lips as she makes Riley and me sound like the latest Hallmark movie.

“It doesn’t hurt that she’s a social media darling and you’re an executive. I think we could even spin the fact that BlindDate is your creation to show the good faith you put in your own product.”

“Mine and River’s.” I correct the last thing she said because my brain is still digesting everything else, spinning around like a blender that can’t break up ice into manageable pieces, making a harsh whirring sound and threatening to burn out.

Elisa waves her hand like that’s a minor detail. “The rest, Noah. What do you think about the rest?”

My brain still hasn’t figured out the reset button, but my gut is screaming at me. If ever there were a time to listen to it, it’s now. “I’m sorry, but . . . no,” I tell her, shocked at my own balls. “Neither Riley nor I are looking for publicity with this. In fact, that’s why we hid our identities at first. And now that we’re together, I want things to be pure.”

Elisa’s lips press together as though she expected me to jump at this idea, no matter the fact that it’s absolutely crazy. “Noah, perhaps you misunderstood. I’m not asking you and Riley to be anything other than yourselves. I’m not asking you to fake anything or lie to sell the app. I want you to be as genuine and authentic as you can be. That’s what makes this so great.”

“I get that. But this is mixing our business and personal lives in a major way. A very public one.”

“I’d argue that posting yourself on Riley Sunshine’s feed is pretty public,” Elisa says flatly. “Especially with the lead-up photos building interest and excitement. Riley seems to know and use subliminal marketing tactics well. I’m only looking to expand that with upfront, honest endorsement.” She pauses dramatically, letting her words sink in. “Let the world benefit from your story and renew that hope that there’s someone out there for everyone and that maybe, just maybe, they can find that special someone on BlindDate. I would think that’s quite in line with Riley Sunshine’s message.”

The way she says it makes it seem not so crazy. Elisa is so persuasive and intense. And not asking us to lie or fake anything. Maybe it is an opportunity to show BlindDate’s possibilities?

“And we’d pay Riley, of course. A sponsorship like this could be very lucrative for her too. I don’t know what her current sponsorship endorsement fees are, but I guarantee we’ll pay considerably more.”

Elisa sits back in her chair and smiles. “As I see it, it’s a win all the way around. We can highlight the success of BlindDate, something you’ve worked on for a long time. Riley gets an assured sponsorship that will increase her visibility and profitability. And best of all, it’s authentic, genuine love that can’t be manufactured, which is why everyone will go nuts to support you two and celebrate what you’ve found. My understanding is that Riley likes to ‘spread sunshine’, as she says? Well, I’m seeing a total solar eclipse.”

Wait, isn’t that when the sun is blocked?

Focus on the important things, Noah. And newsflash, it’s not science right now. It’s business. And Riley.

I’m not sure about everything Elisa has said. And most importantly, this isn’t a choice I can make alone. Riley and I need to talk about this . . . a lot.

And I need to gather my wits so that I can have a conversation with Elisa without sounding like a stumbling, stuttering moron.

I take a deep breath and nod. “I need to talk with Riley about this. I’ve got twenty-five friends online. Riley’s the one with over a half-million followers. But . . . I’ll talk to her.”

“Thank you,” Lady Elisa says, obviously thinking she’s got this in the bag. “Your story, Riley’s story . . . it touches me. And I would love for the world to have the chance at that too. We all deserve love.”

Elisa puts her hand over her heart, her smile sweet and gentle. I swear I feel the claws of the trap she’s set slam shut around me.

She’s good. Really good. And I’m in over my head with her, but I won’t be smooth-talked into doing something that won’t work for Riley and me.

But maybe it could work? We did find our