Page 6 of Matched By Mistake
Misha and Maggie looked at each other and Jericho stepped forward. “I think that we are going to have to wait and see. As we said earlier, this isn’t a match that would have happened outside the app and the chance to explore the possibilities entices both of us. The k!smet app and Surprise Me! function are meant to create opportunities you wouldn’t make yourself in all avenues of life and I think myself and Maggie are a perfect example of that.”
“I agree with Jericho. Our families are important to both of us but my parents also want what’s best for me and I’m sure the Winters family is the same.”
“Indeed,” Jericho said.
“Thanks, everyone, for the questions and I’m happy to answer more about the app but we should probably let these two go for now,” Misha said.
“Can we get a quick photo?”
Maggie looped her arm through his and through Misha’s. “Sure.”
“Great. Now one of just the two of you,” the photographer said.
He was glad he’d put his arm around her earlier because he was almost prepared for the jolt of awareness that went through him when he did it this time. He pulled her into the side of his body and she put her arm around his waist, and he felt himself stir and adjusted his legs as he hugged her to his side. They both smiled for the cameras, and then when they were done, he let his arm drop and they walked away from the press and Misha.
Maggie’s stride was quick, as if she wanted to get as far away as possible. From him or the press? He didn’t know but followed her out of the backstage area.
“We need to talk,” she said.
“I agree. There’s an office space just over here that I think we can use. We’ll have some privacy there,” he said, pointing to a door marked Private.
She nodded toward him and they went through the door. She immediately stopped as soon as it closed behind them and leaned back against the painted wall. She put her head against the wall and closed her eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Just needed a minute. My smartwatch hasn’t stopped vibrating in the last five minutes and I’m pretty sure my entire family knows about this. I’m not sure what to say,” she admitted.
“The Winters family WhatsApp chat is blowing up, too. Do you want to call it off?” he asked.
“I don’t see how we can. Misha needs this live match to be a success. What about you?” she asked.
“I agree. I don’t want to back out,” he said. “I’m going to tell my family that we are going to go to dinner. Just a test date to see how this works out.”
“I like that. I’m sure that my father is going to balk at the thought but my mom will get it,” she said.
“On the plus side, we’re both grown-ass adults,” he said.
“Has that ever stopped your parents from butting into your life?” she asked. “If so, I need some tips.”
“Well, not really but I do remind them often,” he said. And he had. His family was close but they didn’t really try to control his life. But Maggie was a Del Rio and that meant that his family was going to have some concerns. He got that. But he also wasn’t going to miss the chance to have dinner with her and maybe more.
Time would tell if this was a match written in the stars or just one more online snafu. But for now he wasn’t going to back down.
Maggie looked at Jericho. Hotness aside, she needed to start figuring this out. Dating shouldn’t be this hard, but for her it always had been. Even before Randall, she’d never just been chill about meeting someone of the opposite sex. She knew a lot of the pressure was self-inflicted. Her mom had always been someone to point out her strengths and give her the tools she needed to build her own confidence.
Jericho was watching her and she knew she was showing him all the wrong sides right now. She straightened from the wall, putting her shoulders back. Time to remember she was Maggie Del Rio.
“I like that thought. So for this first dinner, there is going to be a lot press and public speculation...”
“You’re right. And since I announced it publicly, we can’t blame them,” he said. “Instead of Sheen, want to come to my place or I can go to yours? Might be better for our first date to be out of the public eye.”
“Sounds good to me. Why don’t you come to mine tonight at eight,” she said, using the private chat in the k!smet app to send him her address. “Is that too late?”
“That works. I’ll see you then. You can get out of the expo hall down that way or go back through the crowd.”
“I think I’ll choose the private route. I need to get to a client meeting in forty minutes,” she said.
“I’ll walk you out,” he said.
