problem?”
He held out his hand. “Ariana, I’m Dillon, nice to meet you.”
Her eyes widened as she placed her hand in his and felt a charge of electricity run up her am. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No, ma’am. Dillon Jacobs,” he said, shaking her hand. “I’m your BODS match.”
She giggled, then chuckled, then doubled over laughing.
He shook his head, his brow furrowing. “It’s funny, but I didn’t think it was that funny.”
“Did you get the same call I got from Leslie?” she asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.
His frown deepened. “I got a call.”
“About BODS being glitchy?”
He smiled, and then chuckled. “That’s right. We’re not even supposed to be matched.”
She shrugged. “We don’t know that. The system is wonky. We won’t know until she gets it back up and running correctly.”
“In the meantime, we each have a date with someone who might not be our match.”
“Dillon!” the barista called out. “Ariana!”
They collected their drinks, found a table away from everyone else and sat.
Dillon drank his black coffee, while Ariana sipped her plain tea.
“Your profile says you’re in construction,” she said. “You must like working with your hands.”
He nodded. “I like to see the fruits of my labors. I couldn’t stand to sit behind a desk all day pushing paper.”
“I get that.” She tilted her head. “But you’re dressed like a cowboy, and you also like horses. “Do you get to ride much?”
“Not as much as I used to,” he said. “Work keeps me away from the ranch.” He looked down at his clothes. “I’d planned on going to the ranch after—”
“Thirty minutes?” she finished, with a wry smile.
“Yeah.” His lips twitched. “How did you know?”
“You were going to give me thirty minutes.” She chuckled. “That’s how many I was going to give you.”
He glanced at his watch. “We have another twenty to go. We’d better make good use of it.”
She settled back in her chair smiling. “I have a burning question for you.”
He leaned back. “Shoot.”
“Are you Emma Jacob’s brother?”
Dillon grinned. “One of four.”
She nodded. “That explains the cowboy hat and horseback riding.”
“What about you?” he said. “You’re a business owner.”
“You already know my story. Zen meditation and yoga instructor.” She raised a hand. “That’s me.”
“It could be we are mismatched, but I’m glad it was you and not a stranger.”
She nodded. “I know what you mean. I wasn’t keen on the whole idea, but I let Leslie talk me into it. She and my other friends of the Good Grief Club decided I needed to get back into the dating scene.”
He tipped his head, his brows rising. “So, you’re part of Emma’s grief counseling group?”
She nodded. “I don’t know what I’d have done without the Good Grief ladies.”
“Did all the ladies of that group lose a spouse or fiancé?” he asked.
“Some lost spouses, some lost other loved ones, like a beloved father.”
“And you?” he asked softly.
“I lost my husband to cancer,” she said, looking down at her cup of cooling tea.
“I’m sorry.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “How long had you been together?”
“We were high school sweethearts. We met in ninth grade, dated all through high school and college, married as soon as we graduated, and he died two years ago. Married six years, together fourteen.” She looked up. “So, you see, I haven’t been too interested in jumping back into the dating scene. I never really dated anyone else.”
“Emma was one of BODS’ first success stories. She wanted all her brothers to experience the same success.” His lips twisted. “We kind of bullied her into getting back into the dating scene.”
“So, she’s bullying you to do the same?” Ariana smiled. “All four of you need help?”
“According to Emma.”
“But if you’re any indication, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a date. You’re clean-shaven, smell good and not bad looking.”
He grinned. “You think I’m handsome?”
“I didn’t say that,” she said, her face heating. “I said you’re not bad looking.” Hell yes, he was handsome. He made her knees weak and sent electric shocks throughout her body when he touched her—like he was doing now. She glanced down at their hands and wondered if he was even aware that he hadn’t let go of her. “Point is, you should have girls flocking to you. And if your brothers look like you, they should have the same.”
“It hasn’t worked that way,” he said. “We’ve been so busy building our careers and taking care of the ranch, we haven’t done much dating.”
“And you’re getting up in years, and she wants you