Page 7 of Love on the Line

“Again, wow! I guess my friend was prettythorough. Tell me, are there any pictures on the profile?”

“No. It’s an informational site only. Theywant to promote relationships based on commonalities, rather than superficialtrappings like appearances.”

Wow.Okay.

“But people could lie about their likesand dislikes, just like they could post false photos on any other site, right?”She could feel her brow wrinkling.

“True. I think some people may detail whatthey think they’d like, trying to switch it up or attract someone they mightwant to get to know.”

“But then how do you know you’re gettingthe real person? How can you start off any sort of relationship with lies?” Sheknew her past with Brad was making her skeptical, but that kind of mistrust youjust couldn’t put aside. His actions had really taken a toll on her.

“With some, they certainly could be lies. Withothers, they may be the opportunity to explore new possibilities.”

“But they’re being deceitful. How can youtrust that?” Her voice rose and she knew she was getting defensive, but shecouldn’t help it. “What does a person have to gain by lying?”

Oh, she knew all right. She knew selfishbehavior was just that—all about the self-serving asshole who liked to feelsuperior, who liked control, who didn’t want anyone else to appear better thanthem! Who…

“Well, I know we really don’t know oneanother yet, but you’ll hear only the truth from me. So, if you still want togive this a try, I’m game.”

“This took an awkward turn, huh? Bet youdidn’t bargain for this seriousness.” A strangled laugh escaped her.

“I’m not sure what I bargained for,honestly, but I can certainly understand your caution. I took a chance onsomething new and different, and here we are.”

“And here we are. So why did you think youneeded this? What’s wrong with you that you can’t meet people another way?” Assoon as the words were out of her mouth, she cringed and wanted to immediatelytake them back. “I am so, so sorry! That’s not exactly what I meant to say. I—”

“It’s okay.” He chuckled. “You’rewondering if I’m some creeper, trolling for women. Or maybe someone who’snotsix three, two-ten, with six-packabs and a killer smile, but pretending to be.”

AJ noisily gulped, imagining the man hejust described. That vision, combined with his hypnotic voice was enough tocause her belly to flutter and moisture to gather in certain unmentionableplaces on her body.

“Um, okay.” She was at a loss to sayanything intelligible.

“So, would you like to know about me?”

“You tell me what you’d like me to know. Isthat okay?”

“Absolutely. I’m thirty-five, Boise bornand raised, and a die-hard Broncos fan. That’d be Boise State as well asDenver. I’ve visited ten of the World Heritage Sites here in the States, two inIndia, and would love to visit many, many more.”

“So far, so good. What else?”

“Okay.” He chuckled.

There was certainly plenty of laughter andgaiety between them, and she wanted that to continue. It sure beat the patheticsob-fests she was prone to lately.

“Well, I’m a software engineer who spendsa considerable amount of time alone. Not that I’m antisocial, I just prefersolo adventures more often than not. And besides, when all your friends arealready hooked up and trying like crazy to get you hooked up, there’s only somuch one can take. As you can attest to.”

“Amen to that!”

“So what do you think so far?”

“About you, or this experience?”

“Yes.”

AJ was hesitant, not wanting to jinx thefun they were having, yet not knowing how far she wanted to encourage this. “Ithink, so far, it’s been pleasant?”

“Well don’t hold back, by all means,regale me with your praises.”

Again, AJ couldn’t hold back the laughter,and it felt liberating. “Well, as far as talking on the phone to a totalstranger goes, it’s been enlightening. And fun.Aaannd,I’d like to continue.”

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