Later that night as I'm soaking in my bathtub reading a paperback I've read about ten times already, my mind keeps wandering back to Kat's insane idea about my getting involved in that marriage experiment. As scary as it sounded, if it really worked, and they actually found me the right man, it would be amazing. No more bad dates. No more wondering if I'm ever going to meet the right guy. No more spending every night alone. No more watching other people get engaged, get married, and have kids while I'm still alone. No more having no one to snuggle with.
But if it didn't work, it could be devastating. What if I fall in love with him, but he doesn't fall in love with me? Being rejected by a guy who is supposed to be my perfect match will hurt way worse than some blind-date rejection. Where can I go from an expert failure? I think at that point I would have to throw in the towel and admit I am just not relationship material for anyone. I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of reality dose.
An old favorite song of mine comes on from the small radio in the corner of the bathroom. It's a slow, sexy rock ballad, and the guitarist plays with so much raw emotion that every time I hear it, it gives me chills and I have to close my eyes and let it take over my senses. I want a man who can make me feel like this song does, someone who makes me lose myself in the way he can make me feel. Closing my eyes and sinking deeper into my bath, I wonder if I can put that on my application for the marriage experiment.
Give me a man who makes me feel like the guitar solo of "Hope Dies Last."
Chapter 5
Asia
"Asia, it's Dr. Hollister. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"
Cradling the phone against my ear with my shoulder, I run my hands under my kitchen faucet real quickly to rinse off the oils I was just using to make custom soaps.
"Yes, of course." I grab a towel and dry my hands. "How's everything going?"
"Very well! I have good news for you," she says, and my heart immediately starts to beat faster with anticipation. "We have found a match for you, if you are still interested and available to take part in the marriage experiment?"
"Oh wow. Yes!" I say a little too excitedly. "I definitely still want to. I was afraid since some time has passed, maybe it wasn't going to happen."
"Not at all, we were just combining our best efforts to team up the couples we felt would be best together."
"I'm so excited I feel dizzy. So, what happens now?" Slightly rattled, I fall onto my old, lumpy couch and my cat immediately jumps up next to me, proceeding to rub her forehead up and down my arm.
"I just spoke to your match and he is also on board. We would like to set the wedding date three months from now. That will give everyone enough time to plan and get things together. Kimberly will be in touch with both of you to go over all the details; she will be the liaison between you and your groom. You will not be able to speak with him directly in any manner, so her job is to shuffle information back and forth between you both—such as the guest list, menu choices, the cake, everything."
"I can't believe this is really happening."
"It's really happening," she singsongs. "The team and I are so excited for you and the other participants. You have all been so patient and so incredibly honest. You have each been invaluable."
"Well, thank you. The fact that you may have found the man of my dreams is just mind-blowing."
"No thanks needed. As we discussed, all the expenses will be paid for or have been donated by the various sponsors that have been so gracious to work with us. Just a reminder, we have asked for all receptions to be small with only forty guests. After the wedding, of course, all living expenses are your own. Kimberly will provide you with a guideline sheet of what we expect from each couple, such as moving in together, the mandatory video chats, and your written journals. I do have some legal paperwork I need you to sign. You can either stop by my office or I can send it via courier for you to sign and send back."
"Legal paperwork?"