Mismatched

10. Jake

Weirdest night of my life, thought Jake. He smiled across the table at his date Sarah, then glanced back at Bailey several tables away. Bailey looked bitter. His date was laughing so loudly that it carried over the chatter of thirty tables. Ebony was standing between them. Her dress showed off her curves in a tantalizing way that made him want to skim his hands over waist, as did the lace panel that gave glimpses of her shoulder-blades. As for her hair, it was tied in a pretty up-do that left wisps over the back of her neck.

To kiss Ebony's neck... Jake thought. Not that it would happen. Not when he was on a date with another woman.

"Your friend seems unhappy," Sarah said, bringing his attention back.

"He does."

"Hard to imagine why. His date looks like a supermodel."

Jake laughed. "She does. But I think I got the better deal of the two."

Sarah blushed. Her cheeks were rosy against her tanned skin. The blush didn't quite have the same effect on him as a certain matchmaker's, he realised. But Sarah was pretty. Very pretty. Sandy ringlets that were pulled up in a ponytail, brown eyes, and a big smile. And so far the conversation had been surprisingly good. It made him wonder why Ebony had chosen this girl. Maybe it was a test. Or maybe it was a way of ensuring that her 'no men' vow stayed intact. There was also the annoying possibility that she wasn't interested in him at all. Either way, Jake was baffled.

"And I think I got the better deal out of you and your friend," Sarah said.

"Oh, how so?"

"We both share a passion for architecture. I am an architect and you've dabbled in it."

More than dabbled, he thought, but he wasn't going to correct Sarah.

Jake jumped a fraction as Ebony appeared at the table, pressing the screen of her iPad to her chest. What was she hiding? Information on him and his date?

"You both seem to be getting along well." Ebony smiled.

Jake made a point of smiling, too. "We are. Sarah has been telling me all about her work. It's been very fascinating."

"Really?" Ebony asked.

"Now I see why you paired me with Jake," Sarah said. "His knowledge about architecture is impressive."

Ebony squinted at Jake, as if he were in trouble for omitting details on his survey.

"You really are a gifted matchmaker," Sarah added.

"I am?"

Jake tried not to laugh at the horror on Ebony's face, or the way she tried to conceal it a second later.

"You shouldn't look so surprised, Ebony," Sarah said. "Believe in yourself more."

Ebony appeared mortified as she coughed then smiled. Jake wanted to save her, but that would mean being rude to his date.

"Thanks," Ebony replied to Sarah. "Would you mind if I steal you away for a quick chat?" When Jake frowned, Ebony showed the iPad screen with a list of questions. "At Kismet, we like to do a first-date survey to find out how your date is progressing."

"Sure." Sarah's eyes brightened at Jake. She looked so hopeful. "Excuse me a moment, Jake."

He smiled weakly, then watched as the two women walked through the glass doors and onto the back balcony. Other than a serious nod now and then, Ebony was not her usual animated self. On the other hand, Sarah was like a sparkler on a birthday cake—bursting with happiness. Jake considered sneaking over to one of the white translucent curtains that were suspended at random points around the room to give some tables privacy. He could listen in... Or he could ask a friend...