Me: Hey. Do you remember what your match rate was with Silver?
Charlie: Caught that, did you? Yeah, we matched at 99% too. I really hope you reach out to Clay. He’s such a sweetheart and he would seriously dote on you. Just think about it?
I stared at my phone for a minute before replying.
Me: Yeah. I’ll message him here in a bit. I’m having something to eat first.
Immediately, I added Clay to my contacts and opened a new message to him.
Me: Hey Clay. Charlie gave me your number. Sorry I sort of clammed up earlier. I guess you could say I’m a bit awkward. Umm…I’m not sure what to do or say. But I wanted to say hi and message you.
I hit Send and then realized that he probably didn’t even know who I was. Shit.
Me: Oh yeah. This is Duncan, by the way. Just so you know.
How could any one person be so inept? I didn’t even know how to text message a guy who was most likely my mate. Seriously? Mortified enough for the evening, I set the phone aside and picked up one of my burgers. I needed to eat, and then I would figure out where to spend the night. If nothing else, I guess I could just park in my spot at the apartment complex and sleep in my car there. That actually sounded like the best option, honestly. It would be by far quieter than the apartment, which I knew would be loud and disruptive. With that plan in mind, I felt better and settled in to enjoy my burgers. My phone buzzing on the table beside me was a complete distraction though, and when I saw that I had a message from Clay, I couldn’t keep from smiling. What was this weird feeling?
Chapter Three
Clay
Charlie had messaged me, but it was Duncan’s messages that really interested me. I liked my brother-in-law well enough. Duncan was…well, if things went how I hoped, he was my future. He was going to be my forever love, and we would eventually have a family like Silver and Charlie. I was surprised when the first message came in, though, because I didn’t have his number saved in my phone.
Unknown Number: Hey Clay. Charlie gave me your number. Sorry I sort of clammed up earlier. I guess you could say I’m a bit awkward. Umm…I’m not sure what to do or say. But I wanted to say hi and message you.
Unknown Number: Oh yeah. This is Duncan by the way. Just so you know.
I smiled at my phone. I’d figured out it was him during the first message. I quickly added him to a new contact, and although I had hoped I would eventually get to message him through the app, I had no issues with him messaging me this way. I needed to send Charlie not only a thank-you message but also some sort of gift. Because…yeah.
Me: Hi Duncan. It’s great to hear from you. There’s no need to feel awkward. I’m happy to spend time just messaging each other and getting to know one another. I’m open to whatever you’re up for. We’ll take all of this at your pace.
I hit Send and waited. The last thing I wanted was to scare him off. I wanted a chance to get to know Duncan. I’d read the match score, and after the reaction my gorilla had to the adorable man, I had no doubt that he was my mate. If I had to convince him of the same thing, I would do whatever I could in order to do so.
I was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t have to wait but a couple of minutes for a reply from Duncan.
Duncan: I work a lot, but my next night off is Thursday. Then next Sunday.
I stared at the phone for a moment, trying to remember if I could recall the hours for the restaurant at the zoo. I didn’t think it was open that late. The zoo closed at seven, and as far as I knew, the restaurant closed at the same time. When I couldn’t remember, I decided to message Charlie.
Me: When does the restaurant at the zoo close? Duncan is talking about working nights. Is it open late?
Charlie’s response came quickly, almost as if he was sitting with his phone close by.
Charlie: Under the Sea closes with the zoo. So seven S-TH and eight F and S. Duncan works a second job at some bar. I think he waits tables there? I guess delivers drinks? You need to talk to him. He lives with three other guys and two of them are asses. The third is ok but still not great. He’s saving to get his own place, but places are super expensive. Talk to him though.
I didn’t like the sound of that. Three roommates? I had four brothers, but we were brothers, and despite how we acted at times, we were all close. My parents were amazing, even if Ma got a bit too eager for mates and grandkids. I got it. I didn’t agree with it, but I did understand why. Two of us were over forty, and none of us was even looking for a mate.
Me: Thanks Charlie. I’ll message him.
I closed the message thread with Charlie and opened the one with Duncan again.
Me: Hey again. I work some weekends, but mostly only during the week. I’m home by six most evenings, but there is the occasional late night at the office. I’m certainly flexible with working around your schedule.
I sent it and immediately started another message.
Me: Do you work a lot of late nights? I thought the restaurant at the zoo closed with the zoo?
I sent that one and reached for the water I’d grabbed after I pulled on my shorts. It didn’t take long for Duncan to respond, and I absolutely didn’t care for his reply.
