“What exactly did you put on your preferences in your BODS profile?” Brand asked, a look of puzzlement on his face.
“It doesn’t matter what I put,” Dillon said, taking a quick sip of the beer. “You’ll have your chance to fill out your profile the way you like. I don’t need to know what you put down.”
“Emma said Leslie’s working to restore an earlier version of the software,” Brand continued. “What happened last night after we left her office? Did you break the system on purpose?”
“No, the lightning strike must have scrambled the system or hardware. I actually ran into Arianna coming out of the computer lab in the dark.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “You met last night?”
“We did, but it was in the dark because the electricity was off, and we made our way to the exit via the stairwell.” All twenty flights. His lips twisted into a wry grin. “We never exchanged names.”
Coop chuckled. “So, you didn’t know who Ariana was until you met at the coffee shop?”
Dillon nodded. “That’s right.”
“And the sad fact is that BODS has a glitch. They probably weren’t even supposed to be matched,” Emma said. “Leslie is beside herself. She’s still at the office with Tag trying to fix it.”
“So, what’s your plan for the evening, Romeo?” Ace asked Dillon. “Going to take your glitch date back to Austin? Or are you two staying for dinner?”
“Is there enough for us?” Dillon asked.
“You’re going to keep her?” Brand asked. “After she nearly drowned you both?”
Dillon glared at his brother. “It was an accident. And yes, I’m going to keep her—continue our date through a meal, whether it’s here or in Austin. Depending on how my brothers behave.”
Brand held up his hands. “Just saying, BODS got it wrong. She doesn’t fish, has never ridden a horse and probably likes cats more than dogs.” He shook his head. “No use continuing down a dead-end path.”
His hand tightening around the bottle of beer, Dillon’s eyes narrowed. “She’s not a dead end,” he said. “She’s pretty, really nice and means well. Which is more than I can say for you.”
“I could say that about any golden retriever,” Colton said and chugged the rest of his beer, setting the bottle on the rail beside him. “The question I have is, is she someone you can see yourself with for the long-term?”
“If you mean do I want to take her out again?” Dillon shrugged. “Maybe.”
Colton whooped. “Hot damn, he’s in love.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Dillon said, though his pulse quickened, and his chest grew tight at the thought. “I’ve only known her for less than twenty-four hours.”
“You’ve heard of love at first sight,” Ace said with a grin.
“We were in the dark at our first meeting,” Dillon said. “I couldn’t even see her. It doesn’t count.”
“I heard cheering,” a voice said from the door. “Did I miss the excitement?” Ariana stepped out, wearing her long skirt, yellow, sleeveless sweater and boots. Her damp hair curled against her cheeks and across her shoulders, drying in the afternoon sun.
Dillon shook his head. “We were just celebrating the fact Colton had a thought. It’s the first one he’s had all year.” He winked. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“What are you having?” she asked.
“Beer,” he said. “I’m sure Emma has wine somewhere. Or if you don’t like alcohol, we can offer you tea or a soda.”
“I’ll have a beer,” she said.
Dillon turned to go back inside.
“I can get it,” Ariana said. “I’m not good at fishing, but I can find my way around a kitchen. Just tell me where you keep the beer; I can get it myself.”
“Stay,” Emma said, waving a hand. “I’ll get it. I need to grab the plates and silverware, anyway.”
“I can help,” Ariana offered.
“Thank you, but I have help.” Emma smiled up at Coop as he followed her through the door.
The sound of his sister’s giggle made Dillon smile. He was glad she’d found Coop. She’d spent far too long grieving for Marcus after his death. She deserved to be happy. Coop made her happy.
Though Emma had had to drag him into the matchmaking idea, Dillon truly hoped that he’d come out the other side as content as his sister.
His gaze went to Ariana. Could she be the one, despite BODS’ malfunction? He hadn’t thought the whole computer picking his match thing was legitimate to begin with. He’d rather take his chances and find a partner on his own. Since he’d already started work on his house, now might be a good time to look for a bride to help him fill it with love and the patter of little feet. Could Ariana be that bride he’d imagined himself with?
She wasn’t tall and willowy like he’d imagined for himself, but he liked her dark red hair and her soft hazel eyes. And he liked the way her cheeks filled with color when she was embarrassed. Most of all, he liked how easily he could talk with her. He didn’t feel like he had to be on all the time. She made him feel comfortable but, at the same time, physically excited by her nearness. When he’d kissed her, the dynamics of his feelings for her had changed entirely.
Now, he had a hard time thinking about anything else but kissing her again.
“Who’s ready for a steak?” Ace asked. “The corn and potatoes are done. I could use some help carrying the food inside to the dining room.”
Ariana hurried down the porch steps and held out her hands.
Ace set a tray filled with foil covered cobs of corn in her hands. She smiled and turned toward the house.
Dillon took the tray of steaks and followed her inside. “First door on your right,” he said.
Ariana entered the dining room and set the tray of corn in the middle of the table on a trivet.
The table has been set for seven people. Dillon pulled out the chair next to
