What the Lightning Sees: Part Two Read Online Free

good-looking man, no one could dispute that, but he wasn’t just a pretty face. It had been his insides that had made his outsides all the more appealing to me. His easy manner, his warmth. The way he called me out on my bad behavior. The way he said my name when we were in bed, as if it were a prayer.
    I closed my eyes. Head in the game. Paula rounded her desk, which was set back into the huge bay window overlooking the square, retrieved some papers and headed toward two sofas opposite each other at the other end of the room. She gestured for Jake and me to sit. “You founded this business, is that right?” I asked. Paula nodded. “Did you start off working for a competitor and then decide to set up on your own?” I took a seat in front of Paula. Jake sat beside me. The sofa was wide enough that we weren’t too close. It wasn’t that he made me uncomfortable, more that, with him sitting next to me, it was an insight into how things might have been if we were together. And although we were there as colleagues, for a moment, I could let myself imagine that we were more. I sat forward and reached for the water on the coffee table.
    “No, I was a dancer,” she said. Something in my face must have given me away. “No, not that kind of dancer.” She threw her head back and laughed as I smiled uncomfortably. “I went to ballet school and when I was just past my twenty-first birthday I took a fall and had to stop dancing completely. I had to rethink all my plans at that point. I had no idea what I was going to do until I spoke to an accomplished family friend who told me I should make a business out of what I enjoyed doing.” She sat forward and began to pour the tea into the cups set out in front of us. “Everyone assumed I’d end up a dance teacher, but what I really loved was helping people find love. Even as a teen, I liked to set up my friends on dates and play Cupid. And really, that’s what I do here. I get to know people, and then I put two together who I think have chemistry.” Paula smiled at me. “Milk?” she asked.
    “Yes please. That’s so inspiring and great advice,” I said as I scanned my notes. “Perhaps you could take me through what would be an initial interview with a new applicant? Or is it a form that you fill in?”
    “We call them members, but of course, whatever you need.” She set my tea in front of me and poured a second cup for Jake. “The normal process is split into two parts. First, we discuss you and how you spend your time—your job, how many hours that takes up, and whether or not it involves any travelling and also any family commitments or hobbies you have. Then we get deeper into your character—your values and pertinent background. In the second part of the interview, we get into your previous relationship history and what you are looking for in a partner. I would never set it out like that to a member. Normally we would have a relaxed conversation. I try to ensure we pick up all the relevant information. Perhaps I could profile Jake and you can take notes? Then, of course, if you’re going to date our members I’ll need to hear from you as well.”
    My face started to heat as Jake’s presence in the room became bigger and bigger as I considered Paula’s suggestion. Did I want to hear what he was going to say about what he wanted in a woman? He was all I was aware of as I faced the prospect of giving this stranger lots of personal information about myself.
    “I’m just here as the photographer,” Jake said.
    “Have you already found love?” Paula asked.
    He held up his left hand, showing her his ring finger. “I’m still single,” he replied, and smiled tightly. “I’m very busy at work. I’m establishing a new alternative energy company. I don’t have much time for dating.”
    Paula looked at me, as if I could elaborate for him, and then focused back on Jake. My heartbeat was so loud I wondered if they could hear it. He hadn’t answered her question.