“Sit.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dillon took the seat, feeling more like a trained dog than a candidate for her dating service.
In a few short minutes, Leslie had the system up, Dillon’s logon created, and a decent photo saved to his profile. She brought up the questionnaire and stepped back. “The rest is up to you. You can enter as much or as little as you like, but the more information about yourself, your likes and dislikes you enter into the system, the better chances of the software finding your perfect match.”
“So, don’t sell yourself short,” Emma said with a stern look. “You’re a great guy, and some woman is going to be lucky to find you. Please, give it your best.” She kissed his cheek. “You know I love you, and I want you to be as happy as I am. And remember, you pushed me into dating when I didn’t think I ever wanted to again.”
Dillon squeezed his sister’s hand. “You were dealt a pretty rough blow when Marcus died in Afghanistan. But now, you have Coop.”
“Exactly. And you could find someone to love as well. If you give BODS a chance.” Emma hugged her brother and stepped back. “Now, I have to go. Be sure to put all your good attributes in there. Some lucky lady is going to get a wonderful guy.”
Leslie crossed to the door. “I’m going to get my other client set up. Then I’m out of here. I have to drop my car off at the dealership before they close. All you have to do is fill out the questionnaire. When you leave, just pull the office door shut. It will lock automatically.”
“You trust your clients to close up shop?” Dillon asked.
“I screen my clients before I invite them to enter my system,” Leslie said. “Besides. I know where you live.” She gave him a big smile. “You’re a good guy.”
Emma and Leslie left Dillon in the room, closing the door behind them.
Dillon sighed and focused on the monitor. “Name. Dillon Jacobs. Age. Old enough to know better.” He chuckled, glanced at his watch, and then got busy answering the questions. He hoped the woman he was matched with would be punctual, orderly, well-kempt, a business professional who could whip up a spreadsheet with her eyes closed, early riser, liked dogs and who also liked to ride horses. After all, if things did work out—which he wasn’t convinced they would—she’d be living with him on the ranch. Oh, and she should be tall so he wouldn’t have to bend down too far to kiss her. He pressed enter to save his profile, straightened the keyboard and mouse and pushed back his chair to stand when a huge crash of thunder rattled the building.
Damn. He needed to get to the Firehouse Lounge before the sky opened up. Dillon hurried toward the door.
Chapter 2
Ariana Davis waited at the empty reception desk of her friend Leslie Lamb’s office. As Leslie had mentioned, Ava, their friend and the receptionist wasn’t there, having taken off the afternoon to go with her daughter to the dentist.
The logo on the front of the desk read BODS. She frowned, wondering what BODS stood for and regretting coming. She would have turned and left, but she’d promise Leslie that she’d at the very least give her dating service a try.
One date.
Her pulse kicked up a notch, and her breathing grew slightly ragged at the thought.
“I’m not ready for this,” she murmured, feeling her anxiety level rising.
Using some of the techniques she’d learned about meditation, and now taught at her studio, she inhaled deeply, closed her eyes and pictured a placid lake where the water was still, the moon reflected off the surface and all was calm.
Her heartbeat slowed, and she breathed normally again.
“Ariana, I’m so glad you came.” Leslie’s voice pierced the placid lake and brought Ariana back to the office and the reason she’d come.
Opening her eyes, Ariana forced a smile to her lips. “I have to admit, I almost called to say I couldn’t come.”
Leslie’s brow wrinkled. “Oh, sweetie. Are you that worried about dating again?” She came around the desk and pulled Ariana into her arms. “We all talked about it at the Good Grief Club meeting. You won’t completely move on with your life if you don’t get back out there.”
Ariana signed. “But it’s such a crap shoot. I’ll never find a man as sweet and perfect for me as Sam was.” Her eyes welled with the ready tears.
“I know you