Page 37 of The One Who Saw Her: Boone

"You'd be surprised, Grumpy Cowboy," Vivi shot back. "It's about showing the real person underneath the armor. I increase the odds of a meaningful match, facilitate the meet-up, and Cupid takes it from there."

Boone's smirk softened just a little, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Well, I'll be damned."

Before anyone could respond, or Colter could change his mind, Vivi clicked the Submit button at hyper-speed and the bio went live.

“Aren’t you going to share with the class?” Boone asked.

“No need to,” she said. “Just wait and see my magic work.”

“You already put it up?” Colter choked.

“No take backs now,” Vivi answered.

They waited in silence for a few minutes and then suddenly a flood of notifications began pinging—matches, winks, likes—all pouring in at once. Colter's eyes widened as the screen lit up.

"Looks like it's working," Vivi said proudly.

Colter muttered, "I'll admit, that is damn impressive."

Boone laughed again, shaking his head. "You two are unbelievable."

His gaze lingered on Vivi a fraction longer than necessary, eyes glinting with something unspoken. She felt it too. A small electric pull that made her stomach twist and her cheeks heat.

Vivi took a slow breath, forcing herself to keep her voice even, though her chest was doing little staccato beats against her ribs. "Do you want me to help you with your profile?"

Boone's eyes flickered, that quiet intensity locking in, and for a heartbeat she wondered if he could read every thought she'd tried to hide.

He didn't answer right away. Just tilted his head, the corner of his mouth tugging up in the ghost of a smirk, and she had to fight the urge to smile back.

He lifted one challenging, mildly annoyed brow. "Didn’t know I needed a dating profile."

Before she could answer, he turned on his heel and walked out.

CHAPTER 16

Therapy in Session

THURSDAY, 11:20 AM

Colter: I need everyone to know my dating profile got 47 matches in six minutes

Eli: I don't care

Colter: FORTY SEVEN!

Boone: I was standing right there when it happened. I watched it happen. In real time. It was deeply unsettling

Eli: I wasn't there. Someone catch me up. What did Nan grade it on?

Colter: Charm, honesty, and something she called "marriageability tone"

Eli: There is no privacy where Nan is involved. There has never been privacy. There will never be privacy

Colter: Fair

Eli: Boone, did she ask you too?

Boone: She asked. I declined