Page 2 of Passion

She chuckled. “Noted.” She went on to the next question. “Which three qualities are absolute must-haves in your ideal match? You said that he must be considerate, honest, and loyal.”

She looked up at me, I supposed waiting to see if I wanted to add to that. “I would like him to be taller than me. I’m five-seven.”

“Okay. Do you have a preference for your partner's education level or career path? You said, yes. Education is very important to you, even if it’s just a certificate from a trade school.”

“Yes, ma’am. As long as he can provide a decent living, we should be fine. I’m not looking for someone to take care of me, but I don’t want to have to financially take care of him either.”

She chuckled. “I get that, totally. What are your top two interests and hobbies that you enjoy most? You said, honestly, I don’t even engage in anything that doesn’t concern my children or family. So spending time with them is my top interest. I would like to be able to add my own interests to my life, which are listening to music and reading.”

She gave me a sympathetic glance, causing me to lower my head. “I don’t have time for much else. At least I thought that was what the problem was. I don’t make time for much else because I’m not completely satisfied. I love my children, so I give all my time and love to them. I want to be able to share that with someone who can give me intimacy in return.”

“I think we’re twins. We have the same light complexion, deadly curves, and somewhat of the same personality. Our desires are somewhat the same. The only difference is that I’m married. I came through Arranged Hearts as well, and my husband and I have been married for five years. We have three children, a set of twin boys and a little princess.”

“That’s great. You’re proof that this can actually work. I’m so tired of the dating scene. I had to give this a try.”

“Well, it can definitely work. I’m sure you saw all the success stories online and how the owners of the company met the same way.”

“I did, and I’m excited for my happily ever after.”

She nodded and smiled then went back to the questionnaire. “How would you describe your ideal first date together?” She smiled again and read my response. “I’m somewhat of an introvert, but because I have children, I’m also cautious. I would like something intimate, like a dinner at a restaurant where we are seated in a private booth, away from the thick of things. That would allow easy conversation.”

I supposed she didn’t need me to elaborate, because she went on to the next question. “What personality traits do you find most appealing in a potential partner?” After pausing to take a sip of water, she continued. “Sense of humor, hustler slash go-getter, protective, and a somewhat friendly romantic.”

I nodded. “I like someone that can make me laugh. I’m pretty serious most of the time. If he can make me laugh, that’s a huge plus. I need his protective instincts to be on point. So on point that he makes sure to walk on the outside of me at all times.”

“I like how you think. My husband is a lot like you’re describing.” She shifted in her seat and asked the next question. “How important is physical attraction and chemistry to you in a relationship?” She chuckled at my response before reading it. “It’s very important. I need to be able to stare at him. If I’m not physically attracted to him, I would be setting myself up for failure.”

“Yes. If we have no chemistry, we’re roommates. I wouldn’t want to have sex with him or anything else, and that would cause me to look for it in other people. I’m not getting married to cheat. The goal is to stay married, so I refuse to settle on certain things. That is one of them,” I added.

“Baby, listen,” she said, dropping her professional tone. “Ain’t nobody trying to stare at someone they think looks like a gremlin.”

I laughed loudly. “Hell naw,” I said. “I wish I would.”

“Okay. Although I know you have children, I’m gonna read this question and your response anyway. What is your preference regarding having children someday? I already have children, so any man I meet has to be cool with that. Their father is very active in their lives, and he and I are friends. I want the man I meet to be understanding of our dynamic. Clayton and I don’t want a relationship with each other, never have. Having children together was an arrangement to give us both what we wanted at the time.”

She glanced up at me, typed something on her computer, then looked up at me again. “I must say, that situation is very unique. I’ve never heard of a woman just sleeping with a friend and her feelings not get involved.”

“Yes, it’s very unique. Clayton and I have been friends since elementary school. I’ve never seen him as more than that. He said he’s never seen me as more than a friend. Our first time sleeping together was after our discussion about having children. It was somewhat weird at first. We’re so close though. He was a man I trusted… that I still trust. We just know way too much about each other for this to work romantically. From what I know about how he is in relationships, I already know I would kill his ass.”

She laughed, which caused me to laugh too. I could see how our dynamic could be misconstrued though. I just hoped the man they chose for me would understand. Clayton and I hadn’t slept together since I found out I was pregnant with Dakota. My baby was two years old now. While Clayton was very nice looking and had a decent dick game, our dynamic wasn’t about that. It was about creating beautiful children that we could both love on and cherish.

He was a financial analyst for a Fortune 500 company, so he made a very good living. I wasn’t searching for a man to provide for me. I wanted a man strictly for companionship. Correction—I needed a man for companionship. I needed to feel his touch and his love for me.

I felt somewhat lost in motherhood and needed someone to help level me out. I didn’t believe in leaving my kids on my parents to go have fun. That just wasn’t my style. I felt that they were my responsibility, and if I couldn’t handle it, then I shouldn’t have had them.

Someone to hold me at night when I felt exhausted or to cook dinner when I was running late could possibly make me feel alive again. Not to mention, someone who could set my body ablaze. I wanted to experience mind-blowing orgasms with a man I was emotionally connected to.

For some reason, I was extremely independent, wanting to take care of everything myself. I wasn’t raised seeing things that way. Maybe my mom was right. Something was up with me, and I needed to lie on her couch to figure out what.

Interrupting my thoughts, Kerri continued. “What is your idea of the perfect way to spend a weekend? You wrote, any time spent with the man I love is perfect. Can you elaborate on that?”

“I’m not a very outgoing person. I was a homebody even before I had children, which is probably another reason why I haven’t met the right one. I only go out occasionally because I don’t have friends like that. So, even if we didn’t go anywhere, it would be perfect. Laying around the house, binge watching a TV show, cooking together, and just loving on each other. Those are the things I long for.”

Kerri looked like she wanted to cry, and I felt like I wanted to cry. “That’s beautiful, Ms. King.”

“Call me Giselle.”

“Giselle. If a man were to take you out, though, what are some places you wouldn’t mind going?”

---