Page 28 of Falling for My Matchmaker

“Exactly. The implied invite. The social contract. The ‘we’re doing this or we’re not’ moment.”

Nate sat back. “You know you’re allowed to set boundaries, right?”

“Yes, but also no?” I said. “I never know if I’m being a prude or just not into the guy. It’s like my instincts are on a delay.”

“Well, that’s the work,” Nate said. “Learning the difference betweendon’t want toandnot ready to—and learning how to say no without giving yourself a guilt trip.”

I frowned. “Easy for you to say. You’re—”

I stopped justin time.

He raised an eyebrow. “I’m...?”

I coughed. “Good at this.”

“Mmhmm.”

Silence stretched for a moment.

Then Nate said, “We could try something.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Define ‘something.’”

“A mock third date.”

My brain short-circuited. “What?”

“You set the boundary. I push a little. You say no. We see where it gets uncomfortable and why.”

I stared at him. “You want to pretend date me and thentry something?”

“Just enough to practice the edge,” he said calmly. “You stop it whenever. Total control. No pressure.”

I paused then nodded slowly. “You know what? Sure.”

Because it felt safe. Because he was my matchmaker. Because he was gay. Very, very gay.

Nate smiled, relaxed. “It’ll be safe. You can stop it the second it feels weird.”

I hesitated. “But what if it feels weirdright awayand I freeze or say something weird or panic and slap you?”

Nate looked at me like I had just failed a very simple pop quiz. “Then you say, ‘Nate, this feels weird. Please stop.’”

“Right. Easy.”

More silence.

I cleared my throat. “What if I cry?”

“You won’t.”

“But what if Ido?”

“Then I’ll hand you a tissue and say, ‘That was useful data.’”

I blinked. “God, you’re so clinical.”

Hesmirked. “That’s why I’m good at this.”

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