Dating-ish (Knitting in the City #6)(68)

"Changing the subject?"

"You can't force me to talk about something I don't wish to discuss."

"You always do this." He gave me his sly smile. "I'll allow the subject change-"

"You'll allow?" I rolled my eyes, chuckling.

"-only because we have much to discuss today-but let the record show, we still haven't come to a consensus yet. We'll discuss this food matter in the future. Back to your friends. Quinn. Janie. How are they?"

"Oh." I uncrossed my arms, surprised by his inquiry. "Janie. Yes. She seems okay, but understandably frustrated with the bed rest. I think they're just ready for the pregnancy to be over and I can't say that I blame them. It's been tough."

He appeared to be listening intently. But then, out of the blue, he asked, "Do you want kids?"

I flinched, opening and closing my mouth for a few seconds before answering honestly. "Yes. I do. If it works out that way, and it's the right choice for me and my partner."

Matt nodded slowly, inspecting me. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. "If I recall, you said something similar when we first met. When I asked you what you were looking for in a partner."

"About kids?" I didn't remember the subject of children coming up before now.

"No. When I asked you what you were looking for, you said you were looking for the right person. You're the first and only person-that I know of-who has responded that way. All participants, both male and female, typically list off attributes. We theorize that what is most important to a person can be extrapolated based on the attributes he or she lists first."



       
         
       
        

"Meaning?"

"Well, if I ask someone, 'What are you looking for most in a partner?' And he says, 'I want someone tall, and wealthy and smart,' then we extrapolate that physical appearance matters most, then money, then intelligence. But if someone answers, 'I want someone kind, with brown eyes, and who likes to travel,' then we extrapolate that person values personality first, then physical appearance, then hobbies and shared interests."

"Fascinating. You never mentioned this before." It was fascinating. I tried to think about how I would have responded if I hadn't said the right person, but I couldn't. I mean, I didn't want to be involved with a jerk, but a jerk wasn't ever going to be the right person for me anyway.

"It never came up before." His sly smile emerged. "But you can imagine how confused Dr. Merek was when I told him what you said."

"He was confused?"

I hadn't seen Dr. Merek again. Matt never wanted to go back to his office after the last time we were there, when I'd arranged my story notes on his floor, insisting there was no reason to do so when he could access his data off campus.

"Yes. Behavioral science is his expertise. I'm just the engineer. He wasn't just confused, he was shocked. He said if more people focused on finding the right person rather than making sure their potential partner satisfied the requirements of some arbitrary list-mostly defined by societal priorities-then we'd all be happier."

"Is this part of your proposition?" I eyed him. "Are you trying to set me up with Dr. Merek?"

Matt visibly stiffened, a severe frown immediately arresting his features. "Why?"

I shrugged. "Why not? He's not married, is he? Does he have a girlfriend?"

His jaw ticked, all traces of his earlier smile now gone. "No."

"Is he nice? He seemed nice."

"Sure."

The server approached with Matt's food, placing a large stack of pancakes, bacon, and fruit in front of him, along with an extra-large glass of water and coffee.

"Then why not?" I pressed. "Unless you don't think I'm nice."

Matt leaned back farther to make room for the plates. But when the server had gone, he pushed the food to the center of the table, leaving them untouched.

"You know you're more than nice," Matt muttered, pulling his phone out of his pocket and glancing at the screen, his forehead knit with deep creases.

"Then you should set us up," I said, not understanding why I was pushing.

What did I want from him? A reaction?

What is wrong with me? Why am I so crazy? 

Eventually, Matt shoved his phone back in his pocket and lifted his eyes to mine. They were devoid of emotion. "Sure. Sounds good. I'll talk to him and let you know."

Nodding once, and not examining too closely why my heart had plummeted at his response, I said, "Good. Thanks. I look forward to it."