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I’m not sure why she’s pitching us the app, but I know it’s a bad sign. People only talk you up if they’re trying to let you down easy.
Still, I nod as she flips to the sample profile. Our system is different. Instead of a picture, users get an answer to a question. They can see three answers to three questions before they swipe left or right—yes or no.
They only get a picture after the initial match. After they’re invested in their potential partner’s personality.
What do you like to do on a Saturday night?the slide reads, followed by the answer:
I know a lot of people say they’re down for anything, but I mean it. A movie at home, a football game, a night of dancing to candy pop. As long as we’re laughing together, I’m happy.
That’s from Lexi’s profile. She had the most popular answer, statistically. Logic agrees: Lexi is irresistible.
“There’s only one problem,” Willa says.
All of the air leaves the room at once.
Of course, there’s a problem. There’s always a problem.
“Two problems, actually,” Willa says.
Oh God.I swallow hard.
Lexi squeezes my hand. “I’m sure we can work through that.”
Willa addresses Lexi. “I love the attempt to match people by personality, but let’s face it: people are superficial. They’ll be slow to try an app if they think it will attract the unattractive.”
Lexi laughs. “I told Dee the same thing when we started. I was sure people would resist an app without fast pictures, but it hasn’t been a problem. We’re growing quickly. Twice as fast as the next fastest-growing app.”
Willa turns off the TV behind her. “Even so. My investment partner isn’t sold. That’s problem number two.”
What partner? Does she really answer to someone, or is this a friendly brush-off?
Willa notices my disbelief. “I’m sold, Deanna. I promise. But I have to bring my partner something really convincing. And that’s a big ask. He’s freshly divorced. A total non-believer in love. So, unless we see financial returns, we need a poster couple. By next month.”
Poster couple. Okay.What if…
“Two people. Any gender, any race, as long as they’re happy long-term,” she says. “Twenty-five to fifty. And attractive. A younger couple and an older couple would be ideal, but I’m sure we’ll have time for that later.”
Later. Right.
“Now, we need to convince him,” Willa says.
“We’re still new,” Lexi says. “We don’t have many long-term relationships.”
It’s true, we don’t. But there is one—
“What about you?” Willa asks.
Lexi blinks in disbelief. “Me?”
“Yes, the two of you. You’re successful young women.”
Lexi stares out the window, looking for help in the blue sky. I was thinking the same thing Willa is now leading toward, but there’s something I know that Willa doesn’t—Lexi.
“You’re conventionally attractive,” Willa says. “And you’re the two who created the company. You aren’t testing it on yourselves?”
“Oh, yeah.” Lexi must have found the answer in a puffy white cloud and then turns to Willa. “Deanna is constantly on dates with guys, asking what they like and didn’t like about her. She sends them questionnaires.”
“Met anyone worth keeping yet?” Willa asks me.
