Simply Be Mine Matchmakers

4. Nerves

When Lucy returned to the office after her an exciting ride along with Tim and a telling interview with Grey, she saw Jackson was on his way out. "Are you leaving for the night?"

"Sterling has a red carpet thing. I have to get home and change into a fancy suit. Besides, it's late."

"But, I have a client we need to put through the algorithm."

"Email everything to me, and I'll take care of it first thing in the morning. See you tomorrow."

Lucy watched him leave and groaned. She wanted to know if she was a good match for Tim according to their algorithm, and she was unhappy about waiting, but without any other choice, she dragged her feet on her way out of the office. Simple math dictated she would have to wait at least an hour at the beginning of the workday for Jackson to finish his analysis of Tim's results, so she decided to do something to take her mind off of the possibility that she could be matched with him...or not. Lucy reached for the door to the entrance of the pet shelter, and froze when another hand made contact with hers on the handle. She jumped a little when she realized who was touching her. "Tim? What are you doing here?"

"I'm visiting my dog," he answered. "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting MY dog. Are you kidding me? I am totally going to win our bet."

"No chance. You won't find a match for me."

"I already found Kojo for you. I think I can do it with a human companion."

"The dog you're trying to steal from me?"

"Woah, I'm not stealing Kojo. I'm winning him fair and square, and it's not like you won't benefit. You'll get someone to love forever, and all I'll have is a dog."

Guilt weighed down his stomach. "Aren't you going on dates, too? You could find someone. A human someone."

"Not really sure about that, but we'll see. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to shower Kojo with kisses."

He rolled his eyes and opened the door for her to enter. Tim let Lucy speak to the desk receptionist in her kind, cheery voice, then he followed after her to gather their favorite dog. Lucy did in fact shower Kojo with kisses and hugged him tightly for a few minutes. It was an adorable sight that made Tim smile.

She caught the way his lips curved for only a millisecond before he snapped back to his usual scowl. "Ready for our walk, Kojo? Guess you can come, too, Tim."

"Why are you walking Kojo? He's going to be mine."

"This argument is already getting old. Maybe we should come up with an arrangement like I walk Kojo on odd days, and you walk him on even days."

"Sure, so since it's an even day," he took the leash from Lucy's hand.

"Hey!" She snatched it back.

"You just said he's mine to walk on the even days."

"Starting tomorrow."

"Fine."'

Lucy happily accepted the leash and started tugging Kojo alone. "Let's go, boy." She started their walk down the street at the slow pace the dog set.

"I feel like you know everything about me, but I know nothing about you," Tim said.

"That's because matchmakers are here to listen and get to know their clients."

"Let's say you weren't my matchmaker. Let's say we met under normal circumstances, then I wouldn't want you to be a total stranger. So, why'd you choose to become a matchmaker?"