Page 13 of The Art of Professing Love

“I’m here to remove my application from your book of matchmaking, or whatever you call it.”

The Librarian’s brow creased. “Oh? Do you mean because you’re satisfied with your first match? Because I should let you know, I do not keep the application in when matches work out. I wouldn’t want to accidentally match someone with two different people, now would I?”

“Well, not exactly,” I said cautiously. “My first match did not work out, and I’m not interested in trying for a second one. Sylvan and I came to the mutual conclusion that we were not suited to each other after our first date.”

“I see.” They bit down hard on their lower lip, trying to hold back their annoyance. “He told me a bit of a different story, but he always has been a flighty one, that cousin of mine. Ah, well, sometimes these things don’t work out. I shall have a chat with my cousin about being more forthcoming when I see him again. In the meantime, I’ll ensure your profile is kept out of the book, although I will not destroy it yet in case you ever decide to try our services again in the future. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“No, that’s all. Thank you for understanding.” I turned to leave but stopped myself before reaching the door. “It’s not that I dislike your cousin,” I told the Librarian, “it’s just that I don’t see how we could possibly be compatible.”

The Librarian nodded fervently. “Of course, of course. Worry not, Irving. No one is at fault here; sometimes these things simply do not work out.”

I left feeling reassured in my decision. Even the Librarian almost admitted they made a mistake in pairing Sylvan with me. I had a sneaking suspicion that Sylvan being their kin clouded their judgment, and perhaps they even chose me because they thought I would be a good influence on him. Whatever the reasoning behind the choice was, that experience was behind me now and I could look forward to never having to talk to Sylvan again – or listen to him talk, as always seemed to be the case. It wasn’t much to look forward to, but it was a start.

11

SYLVAN

Irving had received the painting by now, I was sure of it. I wished I could have been around to see his reaction, but alas, it was only something I could imagine during my extended sessions of daydreaming on those hazy afternoons when I had nothing better to do.

I wasn’t ready to look for a new man to fill the void Irving left, but my cousin had other ideas in mind. I was deep in work on a new commission when they rang. I dashed to the kitchen sink to wash the paint off my new hands and picked up the phone after at least half a dozen rings, much to the consternation of the fae on the other end.

“Cousin, dear, how are you?” I asked breathlessly.

“I’m well enough, but why are you so out of breath?”

“You caught me at a bad time. I don’t normally expect you to call in the middle of the day.”

“Oh, you’re not with someone, are you?” they asked cautiously.

“Heavens, no! I was painting.”

“Ah, good. Actually, that’s what I’m calling about.”

“My work?”

“Your dating life. Professor Scott paid a visit to the library today, and he told me something very interesting about the two of you.”

“That we’ve broken up?”

“Uh – yes, that was exactly what he told me. When did you do that?”

“Last we – I mean, a couple of days ago. Why?” I began to pace around the room.

“Last week? Is that what you were going to say? Don’t tell me you made a painting for a man who’d already called things off with you, Sylvan.”

“All right, I won’t. Anyway, it’s for the best. We couldn’t agree on much of anything and he insulted my art before he realized how much it was worth.”

“Well, that’s quite rude.”

I nodded, excited to finally have my cousin back on my side. “It was. He’s not a pleasant man, cousin.”

“Did you like him, though? Was he a good match beyond the superficial disagreements?”

I hesitated to answer the question. I already knew what I wanted to say, but if I said that, I would all but confirm to my cousin that he was the one.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe” My cousin huffed. “Well, that is better than ‘no.’ Say, what if I were to arrange another date for you, only this time make it a surprise? You would have more time to talk and work things out, at the very least.”

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