‘Well… yeah,’ I confess. ‘But I don’t mean, like, they’re bad at maths, because I’m bad at maths. One guy tonight called me stupid.’
‘Well, he was definitely a dummy then,’ Lockie replies. ‘I hope you didn’t give him a high score.’
‘Not a chance,’ I confirm.
‘Do you think you’ll give me a high score?’
‘Higher than him,’ I joke.
For a few seconds we just look at each other, in comfortable silence, and smile.
This time, instead of the buzzer sounding, music starts playing – ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley.
‘That’s your lot,’ Julie bellows down the mic. ‘But we’ve got a bit of a song to end the night so, if you found the one, now is your chance to have a little dance while I see if we have many matches.’
Almost over. Almost…
‘Do you want to dance?’ Lockie asks me. ‘One girl was a bit intense – she started asking me what I wanted to call “our” kids. Help me out?’
I laugh.
‘Okay, sure,’ I reply.
It’s just one dance and then I can get back to business.
Lockie takes me by the hand and leads me out onto the dance floor. We move our bodies closer together. He wraps one arm around my waist, I drape one around his neck. We join our other hands, holding them close. Lockie is so much taller than me so it feels right to rest my head against his chest. We just sort of snap together, instinctively, and move gently to the music.
It’s been a long time since I slow danced with a man – it’s been a long time since a man held me full stop. It’s hard not to melt into his big, strong arms. This buff, funny, dreamy, intelligent man. Honestly, what is he doing at speed dating?
I feel a tapping on my shoulder. Oh, great, it’s Julie.
‘Cleo?’ she checks and I nod. ‘Can I borrow you?’
‘Erm, yeah, okay,’ I reply.
I follow Julie over to her desk.
‘I’ve just realised who you are,’ she tells me. ‘The one scouting for the reality dating show?’
‘Yeah, that’s me,’ I reply.
‘They told me I should pass on details for the people you wanted,’ she replies. ‘So… any luck?’
‘Just a few,’ I reply. ‘Brad, Mike and… and…’ Should I? ‘And Lockie.’
‘Great,’ she says. ‘I’ll slip them the info with their matches.’
‘Great,’ I say back to her. ‘Then I guess I’ll get going…’
I look over at Lockie as he chats to some of the other guys here. I want to go over, talk to him some more, but that’s not why I’m here, I’m not looking for men for me – God forbid – I’m looking for men for the show. I work forWelcome to Singledomand part of my job is finding contestants to take part in the survival dating show. It definitely takes a certain kind of person, to want to take part in the show, but people seem to love to watch it.
I should leave but… I don’t know, maybe Lockie could be good? A nice change, to have someone a bit smarter, not your usual gym-going, content-creating, full-of-themselves top shaggers we usually cast.
Would he even want to take part in a show like that though? I guess we’ll find out, when Julie hands over my details, but for now I’d better go. I’m not here for me – I’m never here for me. I can’t even think about putting myself out there, not after what happened. Best I focus on finding love (or showmances, most of the time) for the contestants.
Love is the last thing I’m looking for.
2
