I’m on a date with Bailey. Bailey who’s single, Bailey. My secret crush who is not in a committed relationship. We wait for the server to come and get our drink order before we begin talking. “I’ve never noticed you wearing makeup before.”

His hands flutter up to cup his face self-consciously before he says, “It’s been a long time. I used to wear it almost every day, especially in high school, I loved it.”

My eyes widen at that. “You have to be around my age, where did you go to high school twenty years ago that they were that accepting?”

He giggles again; it’s a melodic sound that makes me smile at how cute Mr. Adorable really is, while simultaneously shooting lust straight through my whole body. “I don’t think it’s that it was really that accepting an area as much as my older brother was a year older and would’ve kicked someone’s ass for picking on me. As a matter of fact, he’s career military if that tells you anything about how protective a person he is. Plus, my high school sweetheart was pretty tough, too.” Giggling even harder, he says, “Not that Vaughn would ever actually hurt a fly if he wasn’t provoked, but I guess giving me a hard time would’ve been fuel enough.”

“Well, I’m glad you wore it tonight. You look beautiful.” And he does. His eyes have purples up on the lids with the lightest traces of eyeliner around them, and his shirt is coordinated to match. A black button-down with purple and pink paisleys paired with black skinny jeans that I couldn’t help but notice hug his ass in the most appealing way. If I thought he was good looking before when we ran into the school to pick up our kids, it’s nothing compared to how he looks tonight. The purples and blacks make his red hair look luxurious and vibrant, especially next to his pale coloring and smattering of freckles. There’s no question—our date’s just begun, and I’m already besotted.

“Thank you, Clark. It was Vaughn’s idea.”

My eyes widen. “Vaughn, as in the guy you said was your high school boyfriend?” He nods happily. “Wow. Um.”

“I know, it may seem weird, but I’m really close to him and his partner, Julian. Vaughn and I didn’t talk for years after graduation, but once we reconnected, we realized we’d been friends first, before the other stuff, and you really can’t duplicate a friendship like that.”

My insides turn to mush. His personality is more adorable than his looks. His voice is even more lyrical than his giggle, and I feel like I’m flying down a mountain of fluffy, pure snow at warp speed. I already know I need to pump the brakes, but it’s the first time I’ve been interested in anyone since before my sister was pregnant with Todd, and for tonight, I’m going to enjoy being with an attractive, kind man.

We spend the next two hours getting to know each other. I’m in awe that he still pursued having a child with a surrogate immediately after his fiancé’s death; he thinks it’s fantastic that I adopted my crazy, drug-addicted sister’s son. I’m impressed that his company wanted to keep him so bad that they agreed to let him work from home once Sydney was born; he can’t believe that I gave up my corporate job to work in a gym as a personal trainer so that my hours would leverage to be home with Todd more. We talk about our dedication to our children, and he listens patiently with a sympathetic ear as I tell him the challenges Todd faces since my sister didn’t quit using drugs while she was pregnant. I in turn gush over how incredibly smart his daughter is and what a great job he’s doing guiding her quick mind.

“So wait,” Bailey is laughing while trying to speak, “you’re telling me the only reason you're even here tonight is because your next door neighbor set it up. Oh my gosh. And then I show up and you think I’m stepping out on my husband. You poor guy. I’m sorry, but that’s really hysterical.”

“Laugh it up.” I try to sound put-out, but based on his redoubled efforts to stop giggling, he’s not buying it. “Yeah, I bought our house as soon as my sister agreed to let me adopt Todd. There was no way she was getting out of the hospital with him anyway; we both knew it. Bernadette kind of came with the house. She and her husband adopted us as soon as she saw me bring him home. She’s been a real Godsend. Before he was old enough to go to early care and preschool, she’d come to my house in the mornings and stay until noon when I was done at the gym. She’s been fussing at me for a couple of years to date.” Shrugging I add, “I guess she got sick of waiting for me to do it.”

“I think that’s wonderful she loves you so much. So she knows your bisexual then? She must since the company made the connection based on our profile answers and I’m here.”

“I actually wasn’t sure if she did, but she must. Is that an issue for you?”

He waves his hand at me. “You being bi? Of course not. Vaughn was, too. I don’t understand people who care. I’m just glad you’re here with me now.” A beautiful rose hue immediately fills his face, causing him to roll his eyes at himself while his hands cover his cheeks again. Each second I’m here with this sweet man, my attraction escalates.

“How did you end up here? I don’t even know how Valentine’s Inc. works. Did they set you up for multiple dates or are they taking it one at a time?” My chests clenches thinking about Bailey out with other men, which is ridiculous. This is our first date, and I don’t even know if he’s looking for anything serious.

“Oh”—he rolls his eyes at himself —“it was my cousin’s boyfriend’s suggestion. Like I said, I haven’t dated or anything since Rick died. I moved forward with the plans I already had with the surrogate we had chosen, and then all of my attention went to Sydney. Obviously, you noticed I hadn’t even taken the ring he’d given me off, yet. I know most people think it took me too long to get back out there, but I wasn’t ready. I honestly still wasn’t sure I was doing the right thing when I was on my way here, but… when I saw it was you, I was glad I came. ”

Reaching over, I grab his left hand where it lays on the table. Squeezing it for a moment, before saying, “I’m glad, too.” Summoning up all my courage, I decide to go with complete honesty. “I haven’t thought about dating much because Todd has needed so much of my attention, and my sister comes around sometimes making life—interesting. However, I realized I was probably ready to date when I started crushing on the cute dad at my son’s preschool.”

“Really? You were serious earlier?” he breathes out.

“Yeah, if I had known you weren’t married, I’d have asked you out already.”

He flips his hand over under mine so that we’re palm to palm. “It’s funny, if it weren’t for this extremely handsome dad at my daughter’s preschool, I would’ve never even thought about it, dating I mean. I definitely would’ve never called Valentine’s Inc. I just thought he was so… he made me want again.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Our meal passes pleasantly, the food is good, but our conversation is even better. When the waiter returns at one point to check on us, he doesn’t even try to hide the grin on his face. I can imagine the picture we make, two men in their early thirties with sappy grins on their faces staring into each other’s eyes while holding hands across a table the day before Valentine’s Day.

“Not to overstep, but you two make a beautiful couple,” he says as he refills our water glasses.

Bailey’s instant blush has his face the same shade as his hair. I say, “You think so? It’s our first date.”

The waiter’s eyes widen. “That’s not even possible. You look like you’ve been in love for years.” Glancing between he asks, “May I ask where you met?”

“Valentine’s Inc. set us up.”

“Really? I’ve been hesitant to use them. I’ve been leery about meeting someone through a company, but if this is how well they match people up, I may have to reconsider. You’re like, perfect for each other.”

Bailey smiles shyly as I really focus on the waiter for the first time since being seated. He’s probably early-twenties, not much bigger than Bailey, with sandy-brown hair and a gentle smile. “You know, I think you should reach out to them. What’s the worst that could happen? If it’s not a good match, you move on to someone else. Or”—I cut my eyes to Bailey and wiggle my eyebrow—“it could be a perfect match.”

Our waiter—Shane, according to his name badge—grins. “I think I might. Between going to school and working here, I don’t have much time for socializing. It would be nice to go on a date instead of only serving people on theirs.”

Bailey’s eyes light up. “What are you going to school for?”

“Internet marketing and everything that entails: social media, web design and maintenance, graphic arts, all of it. I’d like to work for myself someday. Besides, you know, I’m part of the online generation.”

“I think that’s wonderful. And really, in today’s market you’ll be able to do so much with that. Companies are always looking to bring someone on board or contract with somebody. When do you graduate?” The longer he talks, the more enthusiastic he gets.

Shane looks around really quick, probably gauging whether any of his other customers need him before he responds, “This spring I’ll be done. I’m excited.” His grin morphs into a full-blown smile.

Bailey reaches for his pocket. “This is going to sound crazy, but I have a friend who’s part-owner of a construction company in the Midwest. They’re talking about needing a bigger online presence for their company. It’s still an idea they’re tossing around, so I’m sure you not graduating until the spring won’t be a problem.” He passes Shane a card he pulls out of his wallet. “Shoot me an email with your resume if you’re interested, and I’ll forward it to them. The owners are two brothers, and they love helping give people a start. And like you said, it’s online so it won’t even matter that you’re here in New Jersey.”

Wide-eyed, Shane says, “Wow! Why would you do this for me?”

Bailey winks at him with a huge smile of his own. “You caught me on the night of one of the best dates of my life. I have a sense about people, and you’re a good one. If I can help make your dreams happen, I’d really like to help.”

A now teary-eyed Shane starts to back away. “Thank you. I have to get over to that other table, but you’ll definitely hear from me.” He shoves the card into his pocket and hustles to a table a few down from us.

“You’re something else, Bailey.”

“It was no big deal. There was something about him, wasn’t there?” he asks sheepishly.

“Hey, you’re not thinking of throwing me over for our waiter, are you?” I tease.

“No way. This really has been an incredible night, Clark. Thank you so much. When Rick died, I never thought I’d be able to find someone else. Think about it, sometimes people search for true love their whole lives and never find it. I had the idyllic high school sweetheart, and then moved in with my boyfriend from college and planned a life with him. I didn’t think it was in the cards for me to meet another great guy. I thought my luck had run out with his death.”