Page 69 of The Proximity Factor

I had to wonder why they were here. What did they have to do with the study?

Every eye landed on us—more like our clasped hands. Sly smiles popped up on every face.

With every smile, Parker gripped my hand tighter.

I could only guess what they were all thinking, especially after every video diary they had watched. Did they hope for this outcome? Were they as shocked as Parker and me about how it all turned out?

“Welcome back,” Professor Garland said as he made his way to us. He was an older gentleman with a slight build and thinning gray hair.

“Thank you,” I said, while Parker eyed everyone warily.

“Let’s get started, shall we?” Professor Garland asked. “Ms. Davenport, you will meet with Kenadie Hadley’s team, and Mr. Remington, you will come with me and Zander Grainger’s team.”

They had teams? Teams for what?

All I could do was nod. I hadn’t thought they would separate us. From a scientific perspective, I supposed it made sense.

I glanced up at Parker to get his take. His furrowed brow said he wasn’t fond of the separation either. He shrugged before kissing my cheek. “See you soon.”

“Bye,” I said barely above a whisper, feeling like I was in a test tube.

Kenadie Hadley approached me, all smiles and holding out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Lanie.” She seemed very familiar with me, which made me feel weird. Had she watched all the video diaries?

I took her hand and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you too.” I only said that to be polite. Not sure how I really felt about it.

“We’re going to meet in the conference room.”

I nodded and followed her and two of the undergrad students.

The conference room was outdated, with wood paneling and gold carpet. It smelled weird too, like aftershave mixed with a side of mold.

“Please have a seat.” Kenadie pointed to a chair at the head of the long rectangular table.

I did as directed and folded my hands in my lap. It was chilly in the room, making me wish I’d worn more than a sundress with spaghetti straps.

The three of them sat on the opposite side of the table, facing me.

Kenadie carefully observed me. “You must have several questions,” she casually said.

“Yes,” I stuttered out. So many questions, but I couldn’t think of one.

She smiled, trying to put me at ease. “Well, let me begin with why I requested this study. I started Binary Search hoping to give people the best opportunity to find a good partner, whether they were looking for someone long term or short term. The software I created considered the following factors of attraction: physical attractiveness, similarity, and reciprocity. But over time, I realized it lacked one factor—proximity. I didn’t take this into account, as the people we pair are strangers. But as the years have gone by, I feel as if I didn’t give this factor its due. So, this is where you and Mr. Remington come in.” She grinned.

Oh. My. Gosh. I did a study for an online dating service. It was apparent I hadn’t saved humankind. Perhaps a couple or two? Maybe. I wondered what Parker was thinking about this.

“I wanted to pair two people we deemed statistically improbable and see how proximity played out. It—”

All I could think about was statistically improbable. I raised my hand, my pulse quickening. “Excuse me. Did you say Parker and I are statistically improbable? What does that mean?” It didn’t sound good. At. All.

Kenadie sat up taller. “Technically, yes, our system would deem your match at twenty-four percent. Anything below thirty-five percent, we consider an improbable match. Interestingly enough, your percentages did not change from beginning to end, even though you are currently in a relationship with Mr. Remington.”

I felt like she’d stolen the air in the room. “So when you say improbable, you mean not likely?”

She uneasily nodded. “Yes, but our system, while incredibly insightful, isn’t a hundred percent accurate. I personally know a statistically improbable couple who make their relationship work.”

A couple. She knew one couple. Out of how many?

“This is why I felt it was important to study the proximity factor. Most scientists will agree proximity does matter when it comes to attraction. It breeds familiarity, and people are more attracted to what’s familiar to them. From all the data we gathered from observing you and Mr. Remington, it is clear that proximity plays a key role in attraction and forming meaningful relationships. It’s something I should have considered.”

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