“Why would you think that?” Esme asked.
“Because Dorian’s Delphine’s match,” Madison said. “I figured they’d finally started seeing each other, even though Robbie says they’re only eighty-eight percent compatible.”
Esme and I stared at Madison. Esme seemed as stunned as I. Was it the eighty-eight percent compatibility or the plan itself? I couldn’t help but wonder how high of a percentage the other couples they’d predicted had been. Was eighty-eight percent good? Or lacking?
Never mind. I needed to go get my cat.
From Delphine’s gallery. Great.
“There’s an art opening tonight at the gallery. We’re headed there to meet Grady and Robbie,” Esme said. “Come with us. We’ll help with Poe.”
“Yes, thank you. I appreciate it.”
A few minutes later, Esme had closed up her shop and the three of us were headed toward the gallery. Madison skipped ahead, but Esme fell in step with me.
“Sorry about that,” Esme said.
“Which part?”
“All of it?” Esme asked. “This whole matchmaking thing has been … I don’t even know what to say about it, other than the kids’ hearts are in the right place.”
“Why have me matched with Delphine? She doesn’t even like me.”
“That’s not true,” Esme said. “She’s just prickly.”
I didn’t say anything.
“And as far as Robbie’s compatibility test, that’s completely arbitrary. I mean, sort of. Actually, I don’t really understand what it means or how Robbie calculates it.”
“What were you and Grady?”
“I can’t remember.”
I had to laugh. “You’re a liar. Tell me.”
“We were close to one-hundred percent. I think ninety-eight.”
“And the other couples they predicted?” I asked.
“Similar.”
“Okay, then, I have nothing to worry about,” I said.
“That’s not a bad score. Considering.”
“Considering what?”
“Well, you know, Delphine. Being how she is.”
“What do you mean?”
“Closed off. Since she lost her husband, it’s like the lights just went out in her eyes, and I don’t know when they’re going to be turned back on. So you shouldn’t take anything she says or does personally.”
“Seraphina’s been trying to set us up for a year or so,” I said. “But Delphine was having none of it.”
“Right.” She gave me a sideways glance as we approached the gallery. “Are you interested?”
“In Delphine? No, I can’t say I am. I’m not twenty. I don’t waste time with a woman who isn’t into me. That’s a futile game.”
