Simply Be Mine Matchmakers

8. A Couple's Skate

For the millionth time, Lucy looked at her yellow daisy painting hanging on the wall in her office. Her favorite part of it was the blue streak Tim had added. As she stared at the line he drew, she recalled their conversation about how some of the interview questions at the beginning of the matchmaking process were difficult for him to answer, and she could not remember her responses, so she went onto her computer to look at her own initial interview transcript when she was put into the system at the inception of their business. Just as she about to navigate into her file, her office door opened and in walked Genny.

"Hi, Lucy, I wanted to stop by and talk to you for a few minutes. I also brought cookies!" She held out a container to offer them to her.

"Genny, hey, it's good to see you. Take a seat," she motioned at the chair across from her at her desk. After taking a cookie and enjoying her first bite, she smiled. "These are delicious. You didn't have to bring cookies, but I'm glad you did."

"Thanks. It's a new recipe. I've been baking a lot since the divorce. Probably not the best way to cope, but I'm still reeling, you know?"

"Of course. That's completely understandable. Tim mentioned you have two sons. How are they managing?"

"He told you about my boys? They're adjusting better than I am."

"These things take time. You know, I went to school with some very wonderful people that are now helpful therapists. I can give you some names if you think that's something your family needs."

"I might take you up on that, actually. I came by to talk about Tim, and here you are helping me."

"Happy to help the Bradfords however I can, which includes my client. What's going on with Tim that you want to discuss?"

"Well, I pried and pried, and he told me about his first date. Tim said the woman was great, but they didn't really connect. Do you think my brother didn't open enough? Is he too out of practice that he's messing up?"

"No, no, I evaluated Tim myself. We went on a practice date, and I can confirm with the utmost confidence that he's not out of practice and doesn't mess up at all. He's charming in a reserved way, and he's actually pretty funny if you're into someone with a dorky sense of humor. Some of his pop culture references are a bit dated, but he's easy enough to talk to."

"Are you sure you're talking about my brother? Timothy Bradford? He's easy to talk to?"

"He is," Lucy confirmed. Though she had no idea when she started grinning, she felt how her cheeks were pinching and fought the muscles on her face to stop beaming so brightly, but it was hard to control her expression.

"Tim's usually pretty quiet. What if he was being overly talkative, and it was all fake, and that's why the date didn't go well?" Genny theorized.

"I think we both know Tim can't fake anything. It's not his fault that he didn't like his first date. Some people just don't work out. It's nothing to worry about. We have another person that we're scheduling him to go out with."

"Do you think Tim will like her?"

"She's beautiful, and accomplished, and smart. They have a lot in common. I think he would be an idiot if he didn't like her," Lucy answered, then her stomach lurched at the thought of him liking another woman and having a strong connection with her.

"Perfect! Oh, I am so happy to hear that! When is their date?"

"Uh, I have to text Tim to get his availability, even though we both know he's free."

Genny chuckled. "You seem to know my brother well. Guess this matchmaking stuff is really thorough."

"We try to be to make sure we get the matches right," Lucy said, because that was true, however she could admit to herself she spent more time with Tim than her other clients.