Below is an excerpt from contemporary romance The Referral Program by Shamara Ray. Copyright © 2023 by Shamara Ray from THE REFERRAL PROGRAM published by Strebor/Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

The bouquet coasted over twenty sets of waving hands, banking left toward the sister of the bride. Dylan watched from her table, having refused to join what she considered to be one of the most humiliating traditions for a single woman. Claiming her prize with a one-handed catch, the bride’s sister clutched the white rose and calla lily bouquet to her chest. She smiled conspiratorially at her sister and then sauntered over to her table with a token that supposedly meant she’d be the next one taking a trip to the altar.

Dylan collected her purse and wedding favor, bid farewell to the other singles at her table, and attempted to make a discreet exit from the ongoing reception. She glanced over her shoulder as the groom began to explore beneath his new wife’s gown to retrieve the garter. The hoots and hollers made Dylan hasten her steps as she left the ballroom. The merriment of the wedding guests echoed down the hallway and ushered her out the door. A warm breeze and the golden rays of the setting sun kissed her face. Dylan heaved a sigh and made a silent vow. That would be the last wedding she attended alone.

The valet patiently waited while she searched for her small blue ticket. As she rifled through her bag, wondering how she could lose anything in such a tiny purse, a gentleman stepped up beside her and smiled. Dylan returned the gesture and continued her search, jostling items from side to side. Sensing his gaze was still upon her, she glanced up. Smile intact, he seemed to be watching her every move. Nice smile, she thought, and he looks good in a suit. Shoes polished to a shine, nails trimmed and buffed, he was well put together. He was the type of man she wouldn’t mind getting to know. In fact, she was prepared to give him her phone number if he asked—when he asked, because she knew he would. Dylan asked the attendant to help the gentleman while she located her ticket. He stepped a bit closer to hand his ticket to the valet. The scent of cologne on the breeze wrapped around her. Dylan closed her eyes and inhaled. A little sweet, not quite the scent you would expect on such a dashing figure. It smelled similar to her own fragrance. Her eyes fluttered open. Standing beside Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome was an equally attractive companion, linking her arm through his. Dylan felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. While she was in the moment, sniffing the air like a hunting dog, his lady stealthily appeared by his side. It was an effort not to take them in as a pair. Dylan stared straight ahead, not wanting to make eye contact with either of them. She walked a few paces away from the couple and sat on one of the benches next to the valet station. She pulled the wedding program from her purse and there, cradled between the pages, was her ticket.

A sleek, gleaming convertible purred up to the curb. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome handed the valet a tip and walked around to the passenger side to open the door for his companion. Dylan brazenly watched them. The way she placed her hand in his as she slipped into her seat, how he strode around the car like others had a reason to envy him—they were acutely aware of the image they presented.

Dylan felt a tug inside. Unbeknownst to this couple, their interaction catapulted her day from bad to worse, strengthening her resolve that she would never attend another wedding by herself. The valet came over to Dylan and asked if she found her ticket. Wordlessly, she gave it to him, noticing for the first time that the number printed on it, in bold black ink, was one. She looked skyward and shook her head. The message was loud and clear. She was single and had been for a long time. What she planned to do about it was the real question. Dylan pondered that issue as she waited for her car. Unfortunately, the valet pulled up before any answers came to mind. As she slipped him a tip, he asked if he could have her number. Dylan politely declined and chuckled to herself. Right question, wrong guy.

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The Referral Program is available from Amazon and Bookshop.