Simply Be Mine Matchmakers

9. Las Torres

Just as he anticipated, Tim arrived at the pet shelter at the same time as Lucy, so they held the door handle together for a moment as they exchanged smiles, and then he kept it open for her to walk through first. Ever after practically hanging on her while they were rollerblading, the small contact of her hand on his to open a door still felt thrilling. He followed her to the back where all the pets were housed in their kennels, and he really attempted to avert his gaze from the sway of her hips as she walked, but he noticed small things about her that immediately endeared her even more to him, and there was no way to stop being drawn to her in those small ways.

"Tim?" She asked when she spoke and did not hear a response. She twisted around in the tight space between the kennels and almost fell into him. Lucy steadied herself by putting her hands on his midsection. Though she regretted the hand placement, she found it impossible to move away, so she held her breath as she gazed up at him.

"You okay?" He asked, both surprised at their new proximity and the fact that she was touching him.

"All good. Just lost my balance for a second."

"You don't even have the excuse of wearing rollerblades this time."

She snickered. "I think you must've tripped me somehow. I was just trying to ask you a question."

"What was the question?"

"Do you like cats?"

"Cats? No, don't even try to send me home with a cat. I'm going to win our bet and adopt Kojo."

"The cat isn't for you. I want to set up some of my clients with pets, and I want to start with someone who really likes cats."

"Okay, and what else should we know about our client?"

"Do you think you can be a matchmaker or something?"

"You asked for my help. I'm just trying to be helpful."

"Well, I appreciate that," she grinned at him, then she dropped her eyes to his midsection where her hands were still settled on him. Lucy quickly pulled them back and hoped she was not blushing profusely. "So, our client is my Office Assistant, Celina. She's going to want a cuddly and sweet kitty. Can you help me look for one after we give Kojo hugs." She bent down in front of his kennel and cooed, "How's my good boy doing today?"

Tim's chest warmed as he watched how she scratched behind the dog's ears and both of them lit up. Kojo was happier with Lucy. That was a simple fact. Winning the bet and keeping them apart would be like robbing both of them of their happiness.

She could feel Tim's eyes on her as she was petting Kojo, so she looked up at him to see his thoughtful expression. "What's on your mind?"

He appreciated that she began to understand him so quickly. "I think we should cancel the bet."

"Why? Are you...do you not want to be in a relationship anymore...well, I meant, get INTO a relationship with one of your matches," she corrected herself nervously.

"It's not that. You and Kojo are good together. You make a good match."

She chortled. "It's funny, because I was just thinking the same thing about you two the other day. I'm not a quitter, but I considered throwing in the towel, so you could take Kojo home."

"He's way happier with you," he insisted with a slight shake of his head.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Guess that leaves us in a deadlock. We both want Kojo and think the other would be better suited for him, so we should stay the course. Keep up this bet to decide who adopts him."