Kismetology Read Online Free Page A

smiled at him. Connection. He got me. Okay, so it
isn’t me he's supposed to get, but he understands about people leaving and
being betrayed. He’s a catch. My mother would be lucky to date him.
    "So," he leans forward. "What’s protocol
here? Do you tell me if I’m suitable now? Do I get a little rejection slip in
the post?"
    "I’m not really sure," I admit. "This is my
first time too."
    "Ah."
    "But I think you’ll get on really well with Eleanor, so
I would like you to meet her."
    "Phew," he smiles. "That’s a relief."
    "Yeah. Maybe you’ll be her perfect man and I will have
succeeded without even trying."
    "Okay, so should I call her? Will she call me? Will
you?"
    "Um…" God, talk about being unprepared. What was I
thinking doing this? I have no idea where to go from here.
    "Okay, what if we set up a time and place right now,
and I guarantee that she’ll be there?"
    He nods. "How do you know when she’ll be free?"
    What’s a nice way to say "her only plans involve
watching Eastenders on our couch"?
    "Trust me, she doesn’t have anything on at the
moment."
    "Okay, how about Sunday night? Eight o’clock? There’s a
beautiful restaurant over on South Bank Street. I’ve never been in, but I drive
past it every night and it looks lovely. It’s always full, which has to be a
good thing, right?"
    "In that case, isn’t Sunday a bit soon for
reservations?"
    "It’s a walk in and wait."
    "Oh, right. Yeah, okay then. Sunday’s fine."
    "Shall I pick her up? Meet her there?"
    "I tell you what, I’ll drive her to the restaurant and
hang around until she spots you. If you could take her home afterwards, that’d
be great."
    "Yeah, fine. Okay then. Wow. I’m really looking forward
to this. I haven’t really been on many dates lately. Or, you know, any
dates."
    I smile. "That’s good, neither has she."
    He smiles too. "That’s good to know. Tell her I hope
not to disappoint."
    "Oh, you won’t. I’m sure of that."
    "Well, it really has been great to meet you, Mackenzie.
If you take after your mother, then I’m sure you have a match on your
hands."
    Aww. How sweet is that?
    Jeff gets up from the booth we’ve been sitting in and holds
his hand out to help me up. A gentleman. More bonus points for him. He also
holds the door for me as we leave. Chivalrous as well. I like this guy. Hell,
if I was twenty years older, I’d date him. If it wasn’t for Dan, obviously.
    "Can I give you a lift home?" Jeff asks, as we are
standing outside in the cold October air.
    "No, it’s okay, I left my car in work, it’s only down
the road."
    "Okay then, well, thank you for a nice evening."
    "Thank you, Jeff." I hand him my business card.
"My phone number is on there, in case you need anything or have any
problems making it on Sunday."
    "Thanks, Mac. It’s been great. Take care of
yourself."
    "You too," I tell him and walk away smiling. What
a nice guy. And how brilliant would it be if this all worked out on the first
try? How perfect would that be? How wrong would that prove Dan?
     

 
    CHAPTER 6
     
    I knock on my mum’s door somewhat
nervously.
    "You know, you don’t have to knock, Mac," Mum pulls
the door back to let me in. "You can just use your key and come in."
    "No thanks. I’d rather knock. This is your house."
    "Well, maybe if you’d give me a key to your place you
wouldn’t feel so bad."
    "Mum, you’re not having our key."
    "Mac, why do I have to repeatedly ask you not to call
me Mum? Mum is for old people. I’m Eleanor. El will do. Twenty-seven–year-olds
have names like El."
    "You’re not twenty-seven, Mu- Eleanor."
    "What are you trying to do, make me feel better?"
    "No, I just… Never mind. I have some exciting
news."
    "Oh god, you’re not going to make me a grandmother, are
you? I’ll never forgive you if you do."
    "No, no grandkids. I’ve told you a million times, Dan
and I aren’t having kids."
    "I know. But accidents do happen. You are using a good
brand name of condoms aren’t you? Because those