Like Father, Like Son - Jayda Marx

Chapter One

Theo

“Oh my god, you actually did it,” Lee said from over my shoulder. It no longer surprised me when my friend popped into my cubicle to spy on me; he’d been doing it for nearly three years now. And it wasn’t just me that he snooped on; he stuck his nose in everyone’s business and gossiped all day long. It was a miracle that the man got any work done at all.

“Yep. I created a profile last night.” And after closing two large sales this morning, I thought I deserved a little break to look online to see if anyone had liked that profile yet, which is what Lee just walked in on.

Lee had been encouraging me for months to join an online dating site. And by encouraging, I mean pushing and pestering until I couldn’t take it anymore and basically did what he asked for some peace. Lee’s heart was in the right place, though; he got married to his husband Dave last year and had made it his personal mission to make sure that I had the same level of love and happiness in my life as he did.

Plus, he often told me that I was ‘no spring chicken’ anymore, and that I ran the risk of dying alone. That was just Lee’s personal brand of charm. But in all fairness, I was only 27 and still very much a spring chicken in my eyes, if he insisted on comparing me to poultry.

But I wouldn’t deny that I was lonely. I’d worked hard, neglecting my personal life to secure a great job in sales. I was successful, in a great place financially and had a nice home, but no one to share it with. I was at the point in my life where I was ready to settle down, which made building a dating profile a no-brainer.

"Ooh, you've already got three profile likes!" he said excitedly. "Scoot over so I can see these guys."

I snorted a laugh as he bumped me with his wide hips, but did as he asked; it was easier than fighting him. I clicked on the number 3 hovering over my name and the website brought up the picture of the first guy who "liked" me.

"Next," Lee said once the photo loaded.

I gave him a puzzled look. "What's wrong with him?"

"Nothing's wrong with him," he shrugged. "He's just not your type."

"Shouldn't I be the one making that call?"

"Fine," he sighed dramatically, and then he smirked when I pressed the thumbs down icon next to the guy's face. Even though I gave Lee a hard time, the man wasn't my type. Neither was the second man.

"Oh, he's hot!" Lee exclaimed when lucky number 3's photo flashed on my screen.

"Very." Even that didn't do him justice, though. He was stunning; thin with dark blond hair, sea glass green eyes and a shy smile. Lee laughed at how quickly I clicked the thumbs up button.

When I did, it created a match between us and I was able to see his whole profile; or what there was of one. The only thing he'd filled in was his name; Ezra Wayne.

"Ooh, a man of mystery," Lee commented, bouncing his brows behind his glasses. "You should send him a message."

"Good idea." I clicked on an envelope icon, and a chat box appeared. I typed out a quick message and Lee groaned. "What?"

"Hi there? What kind of message is that?"

"Um...one saying hi," I retorted, and he crossed his arms over his thick chest. "What should I have sent, then?"

"You gotta hit him with the razzle dazzle! Send some poetry or something."

"I'm not sending poetry without knowing if he's even going to write me back." The words barely left my lips when a ping sounded, and a text from Ezra appeared.

Ezra: Hi there. Thank you for liking my picture.

"Aw, he's so sweet!" Lee gushed.

"So he's sweet but I'm not dazzling enough?"

"Oh, hush." He slapped my shoulder and pointed to the computer screen. I rolled my eyes, but took my cue.

Theo: It was easy to do; you're very beautiful.

"That's my boy!" Lee gripped both of my shoulders and jostled me around until I shrugged him off. Ping!

Ezra: Thank you so much! I'm blushing right now. You're very handsome.

Lee squealed, completely taking the intimacy out of this conversation, but I knew he wasn't going anywhere, so I tried my best to ignore him.

Theo: Your profile didn't say much. Will you tell me a little about yourself?

Ezra: I was supposed to fill out a profile?