♡ I’m a couch potato
Mmm, am I a couch potato? I’m not super active, but I would like to exercise more; I just never have enough time in the day. I do walk to work every morning, and try to go places on foot as much as possible—that should count for something, right? I check off the third option.
11. What’s your ideal vacation?
A lot of options follow, and I select beach holidays, cruises, vacations for pure relaxation, resorts, and spa breaks. Some of the other options make me cringe. Who would even call “hiking” a vacation?
12. How do you plan your vacations?
♡ I don’t, I pack and go
♡ I meticulously plan and schedule everything
♡ I arrange the dates and transportation, but I leave the rest to the moment
I plan everything ahead of time. Going somewhere without an accommodation booked would drive me mad. Spontaneous trips are my idea of hell. I’ve always imagined such a spur-of-the-moment getaway would end up with me soaked in the rain as I looked for a place to sleep in a random town with all the hotels booked solid. Not my thing. I’m a control freak.
13. If you had a day off work, what would you do?
Stay in bed until late. Order a delivery of croissants and a latte to be consumed, also in bed. Maybe go on a little shopping spree. Dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant in Dumbo and then on to the movies for a good rom-com.
14. Do you follow a particular diet?
Wow, so many options. I check Omnivore but add a little note underneath.
**But I try to steer clear of meat as much as I can.
I’m about to move on to the next question when I pause, then re-read all the multiple-choice options. I take out my phone and look up Flexitarian Diet.
The Flexitarian Diet is a style of eating that encourages mostly plant-based foods while allowing meat and other animal products in moderation.
I thought the term sounded familiar. Yup, it fits me to a tee. I go back to question 14, strike out Omnivore and my postscript note, and simply check Flexitarian.
15. What do you like to watch on TV?
Comedies and romance movies.
The questionnaire goes on for a few more pages until I reach the last one.
43. What is the ONE thing that people DON’T notice about you right away that you WISH they WOULD?
I’m romantic. With the job I do, most people assume I’m a cynic. But I’m just the opposite. And, yes, I can destroy an opponent in court, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a sweet person outside the halls of justice.
44. Why do you think you’re single?
I had my daughter when I was young. Things didn’t work out with the father and I had to raise her on my own. Well, with my parents’ help. But still, having a kid while keeping good grades in college first and law school afterward didn’t leave me much free time to date. And once I graduated, I still had to work hard to open my practice and provide a stable and financially secure environment for me and Tegan. But now that Tegan is older and mostly self-sufficient, and with my practice now up and running, I feel I’ve come to a time in my life where I’m ready and free to search for love again.
45. What is the most important thing in your life?
After my daughter, love.
Eight
Lucas
It’s a cloudy Tuesday morning, and I’ve just said goodbye to the Thomases, a couple I saved from the clutches of Medusa. There’s still a lot to work on between them, but I’m hopeful they can figure out how to make their marriage last. I’m just jotting down my final thoughts in their file, when my mobile rings. The screen shows an unknown number with a New York area code. “Hello?”
“Dr. Keller? This is Jennifer, your Dating Specialist from Listen to Your Heart.”
“Oh, hi,” I say unenthusiastically, I’m terrified she’ll summon me back to her office to make me answer another set of silly questions. On a positive note, she’s switched from Mr. Keller to Dr. Keller, meaning at least she’s read my questionnaire.
“Am I catching you at a bad time?” Jennifer asks. I picture her at her desk with a saccharine smile stamped on her lips, probably unhappy about my scarce keenness.
“No, no. I’m between sessions right now. What can I do for you?”
“Ah, Dr. Keller, the real question is what I can do for you. I’ve got good news! Our proprietary algorithm has found a potential match for you. We like to book our blind dates on weekends. Nothing speaks of commitment to the cause of finding a life partner as meeting on the most important evening of the week. What message would a Tuesday date night send, right?” Jennifer chuckles. “Are you free this Saturday?”
I sigh inwardly. The Knicks play on Saturday against the Miami Heat, but I’m sure my Dating Specialist would be even less pleased with me if I told her I’m refusing a date to watch a game. At least it’s not a home game. If I had to give up a single night of my seasonal membership to Madison Square Garden, I might’ve cried.
“Yes, I’m free on Saturday.”
“Wonderful. Your match has also confirmed she’s available. Our agency’s policy is that clients do not share names before meeting. We prefer to avoid social media stalking sprees that could generate false ideas based on what people found online.”
“So I’ll have absolutely no idea of who this woman is until I meet her face to face?”
“That’s right, Dr. Keller. But please trust me when I say I’ve selected an excellent match for you. And also, the mystery adds to the intrigue, the romance. It’s a tested strategy we’re confident leads to the best results.”
“Okay, but how are we going to recognize one another?”
“Ah, that’s easy. We ask all our clients to pick aliases. The name
