monkey bars. They’re made for little kids, thank goodness. I
keep watching her out of the corner of my eye.
“I really just want you to tell me about yourself.”
There. That wasn’t so bad. “Not your hobbies or your
interests, but the real you. I think it is important when finding
a match, that people keep an open mind, but that said, I should
also ask if you have any physical
preferences. Not a type, just
things you absolutely cannot do. Habits you really don’t want
in a prospective partner.”
“The usual,” Steph says, then grins. “Not anyone
creepy or dangerous.”
“We screen quite thoroughly, including background
checks. If someone has a criminal record, they can’t apply for
our services. It’s just the company’s policy. We do really value
the safety and security of our members.”
“Yes, of course. I guess the occasional drink here and
there is fine. Socially. Everyone does that. Uh, I’m not sure
how I feel about smoking. I’d rather not, but I wouldn’t really
count someone out just because they do smoke. That feels
really, um, persnickety.”
I smile at the use of the old-sounding term. So far, I
don’t need to write anything down. “I know it’s going to sound
bad, but does job matter? Income bracket?”
Steph squirms a little. She reaches for the bottle of
water, but just clutches it in her left hand tightly. “No. Not
really.”
“Age?”
“I think that younger men…well, that’s not really me.
But I’d be willing to go up to ten years older. I think it takes