My Perfect Match: Holiday Hearts

By AM Vivienne

It's February, Danielle Fulson's favorite month of the year. She's a vibrant soul, never afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. This year, she can't wait to plan her annual Valentine's Day party and find the perfect dates for all her friends.

Her first love match is between Elijah and Isabella, a laid-back sound technician and a jet-setting beauty. While she's certain this matchup is one for the ages, there's a creeping doubt in the back of her mind that she's not ready to address yet.

Along with her Cupid responsibilities, she's starting a new dog walking business. Lucky for her, this means she'll meet a date of her own, a handsome artist named Martin. Bonding over their love of positive energy, creativity, and their pet dogs, Danielle falls head over heels. She knows she's a cliché, but when you know, you know, right?

As the 14th approaches, her party transforms into something more than she expected. Unfortunately, she questions if Martin is truly the one for her. And what is up with her conflicting emotions about Elijah and Isabella finally getting along?

With her cocker spaniel, Coco Puff, by her side, is she ready to face the truth about why she's been feeling disappointed by her favorite holiday?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Peacock Press
• Release date: Jan 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736316320

Book preview

Chapter One

Chapter Separator

My precious cocker spaniel, Coco Puff, jumped onto my stomach and licked my face. I hugged him to my chest as I scratched the back of his floppy ears, his favorite spot. Good morning! He let out a delighted yelp and licked my entire cheek in one slobbery movement. Stretching my arms, I looked out the window to see remnants of winter’s dusty snow on the trees. I rested against my headboard, and Coco Puff curled into a ball in my lap. I stroked his head, the dark chocolate tufts of fur soft under my palm.

On the nightstand, my phone buzzed. I moved the lace canopy out of the way to unplug the phone from its charger. There was a missed call from Daddy. I swore that man never slept. Several notifications from social media had lit up my screen, as well as a few text messages from friends. It was February 1st and that meant it was time for me to solidify the best matches for my single friends to take as dates to my annual Valentine’s Day party.

Coco Puff snored as I scrolled through my phone, reading the latest celebrity gossip. I then clicked on a group text to add colorful heart emojis. I have a good feeling about this year, boy. I already have a few suitors in mind for my friends, but who will be the best date for me? Should I take Harrison, the guy from the grocery store? He’s always a gentleman. I rubbed Coco Puff’s head, then slid him onto the silk pillow beside me as I got out of bed.

My foot caught on the canopy and I fell onto the carpet on my hands and knees. My phone dropped in front of me. I checked to make sure it was okay. Daddy would not buy me another one if I lost or broke this one. Most of my friends were on their own phone plans, not under their parents’; but Daddy and I always took care of each other. As I walked onto the terrace overlooking the backyard, I planned what to bring him for lunch when I visited him at the office later.

We didn’t have much, just enough room for the swimming pool and a flower and vegetable garden. Our neighbor, Sasha Scott, helped me plant the garden in exchange for my babysitting her two-year-old son one evening. A sharp wind chill blasted around me, and I realized I was only wearing my satin pajamas. I rushed inside to pull on my robe and slippers before shuffling downstairs for breakfast.

After letting Coco Puff outside to do his business, I called him back in then sat at the round table by the window with my coffee, a bowl of cereal, and two pieces of toast. My breakfast of choice. The first person to call me that day was Isabella. I was so excited to answer that I barely had a chance to swallow the food in my mouth. Isa! I kicked my feet and squealed, I was going to call you today. Are you excited for my party? Please say you’re going to come this year. You must be traveled out by now.

Isabella laughed delicately like she was drinking tea with the Queen. Oh, Danielle darling, you better have a man ready for me because I’m so down to party.

Darling, I have the best date for you. His name is Elijah Reid, and he works at Daddy’s company. Loves music, super laid back, and I’m ninety-nine percent sure his wardrobe is all jeans and t-shirts.

Ooh! That’s just my type. Love me a rock star. When do I get to meet him?

Are you even in town?

I will be next week!

Well, darling, I’ll have him ready to meet you at the airport when you arrive. I’m talking to him today.

I can’t wait! Who’s your date going to be? Please don’t tell me it’s the same guy from last year. He was such a bore.

I slurped my coffee and finished my last bite of toast. You weren’t even there last year.

I saw the pictures. You did not look like you were having a good time. You deserve someone way more fun. How are you twenty-four and still single? I remember a time when you had boys lining up to climb the trellis below your window, helping you sneak out of the house.

You’re exaggerating. I twirled my hair around my finger at the memory of all the high school boys who adored me.

Seriously, though, who’s it going to be?

You’ll know as soon as I do.

I’ll call again soon. Love you, darling.

Kisses! We both blew kisses into the phone before hanging up.

Once I finished eating, I scrolled through my phone’s calendar to check on my schedule for my dog walking business. This was my newest passion, and one I promised myself I would stick to.

I cleaned up my dishes and went upstairs to decide what to wear for the day. It took me an eon, but I decided on skinny jeans, a pink cashmere sweater with a red heart front and center, thigh high black leather boots, and my favorite pair of gold earrings Daddy bought me for Christmas. Hair up or down was another dilemma, but I decided to curl my honey-blonde locks into nice waves down my shoulders.

I posed in the mirror with my hand on my hip and lips puckered. Coco Puff barked and jumped on my legs. I kneeled to be at his level, kissing his head and scratching his ears. Hello, my prince, are you telling me it’s time for our walk? I know I’ve been so lazy this morning. He propped his paws on my knees and jumped to lick my face. You’re the cutest little boy, aren’t you? Who’s a good boy? Would you like to come to the office with me today? He licked my face again. Well, let’s go make Daddy’s lunch, then we can go. I promise.

Coco Puff followed me to the kitchen and stayed right at my heels as I made Daddy a sandwich, then poured coffee into a travel mug. Stop looking at me like that, Coco Puff. You know this food isn’t for you. Trust me, you would not like tuna. I pinched my nose as I rinsed out the tuna can and dropped it into the sink. After putting the sandwich into a brown paper bag with an apple, I was ready for the walk.

At the front door, I wrapped myself in a tan colored coat, a pink scarf, and pink gloves. Was I going to wear a hat? Not if it was going to flatten my hair. I put on Coco Puff’s pink collar with rhinestones and slipped the matching harness around him. I kissed his head again as I gripped the leash, then grabbed my purse off the hanger by the door. Look out, world! Your favorite woman and dog are coming for you!

We walked two laps around the neighborhood, passing houses like ours with large driveways for expensive cars and even larger rooms inside to keep all our expensive possessions. Ours was the smallest lot on the block. We had a two-story brick house with four bedrooms, one used as Daddy’s office, and three bathrooms. The dining room was the same size as the kitchen, which was packed with top-of-the-line appliances. Daddy wanted me to live a humble life, yet never want for anything. He never did understand the contradiction.

When we got back to the house, Sasha stood on her porch wearing a pantsuit and drinking her morning coffee. She was a beautiful woman with a curvy figure and the most flawless brown complexion I’d ever seen. Whenever I asked her for her secrets on clear skin, she would always wink at me and flip her straight black hair over her shoulder. Good morning! I walked back towards her and up the driveway. Where’s Tyler? Is he not up yet?

He’s with his father for the next few days, she said while biting her lip. She stared into the yard at the red tricycle left on its side in the frosty grass. It’s a new schedule we’re trying since he got re-married. He wants more time with his son. She took the two steps off her porch to stand at my level.

Coco Puff sniffed the grass, tugging at the leash to sniff the rose bushes that hadn’t come back to