Page 49 of No Match Found
My vision flickered, and warmth flooded my body.
Wouldhe touch me?
I wanted him to. The desire burned like a raging summer wildfire, ignited by the lightning strike of his words.
He watched me, waiting for me to respond—or for something else.
And I waited too. For him to test his theory.
A car engine roared to life a few stalls away, and I started.
What was I doing?
I took a step back. “Well,” I said, my voice uneven, “chemistry is science, right? And Matchify’s in the business of science. So, eventually we’ll figure out that part too. But for now, compatibility is what we do, and it’s what I’m interested in.”
It was a declaration to myself as well as to him:whatever I felt just now, I’m not reading into it, and I’m not open to exploring it.
I couldn’t—for so many reasons.
“Noted.” He took a matching step backward and picked up the bag of maple bars. “Seconds?”
The sudden flip between chemistry and donuts was evidence that Ishouldn’tread into the little stunt he’d pulled. He’d been proving a point. Nothing else.
“I’m full, but thanks,” I said. “I should really get back to work. See you there?”
“Not today,” he said. “I’ve got a few errands to run. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I ignored a flicker of disappointment. “Sounds good.”
The office was quiet without the clacking of The Truth Machine, but I hadn’t been there long when I received a visit from Brooke. A second debrief.
Without donuts. Or chemistry.
“He really invited Grant to the table with you?” she asked in disbelief, leaning against my desk.
“Yep.”
“And Grantaccepted?”
“Yep.” I hesitated. “To be fair, I made it hard for him not to.”
Brooke shut her eyes and shook her head. “I’m so confused. Youwantedhim to join? I thought you said you liked Tanner.”
“I did. But I also liked seeing Grant uncomfortable. I’m always the one on the spot, and it was nice to switch it up. Besides, I liked Tanner in a friendly way—nothing more.”
She looked at me like I was a strange creature she wasn’t sure what to do with, then glanced at the place Grant usually occupied. “Where’s he now?”
“No idea.” I turned back to my computer. “He said he had some errands and wouldn’t be in until tomorrow.”
The door opened, and Katie ducked her head in. “Am I missing something important?”
“Vivian went on a threesome date with Grant and her Matchify #2.”
Katie’s eyes grew wide. She stepped inside the door and shut it behind her.
“It was not athreesome date.” I gave Brooke the evil eye. “Tanner’s an investigative writer, and apparently Grant is one of his idols, so when he recognized him, he got really excited and invited him to sit with us.” I shrugged like what I’d just described was the most natural thing in the world.
“That’s…weird,” Katie said with an expression that underlined the adjective.
