MatchMeUp.com (closed to Cowgurlhat)

[SerenityInMyWoods]

Brad sat, staring at his computer screen. He had just spent an hour entering his profile information, but was hesitant to hit the final Submit button. Was this the right thing to do? Why was he here in the first place? Isn't this just a place for losers?

He had never before considered using an online dating site. He had tried the nightclub scene and where did that get him? Yes he had had some dates, even had some relationships that last a few months. And yes, he had had some great sex. In the end though, none of the ladies were very compatible with his interests, his likes, his casual style. And he found few of them interesting more than a few weeks.

Dating was getting old. Here he was, 35 years old, fairly good looking, and successful as an investment broker. He just couldn't find the right girl. He wasn't sure if men had a 'biological clock', but he felt certain that time was slipping away. He wanted a good, solid, long term relationship, maybe even marriage and a family.

His friend, John, had told him about MatchMeUp.com as part of the new dating trend. A lot more people were finding the right match through online dating services, John told him. Brad had thought that online dating services were for losers, people who could not pick up a girl in a bar. He was coming to realize that just picking up a girl, even having sex with her, had never resulting in a long lasting, meaningful relationship.

Maybe there was something to these 'match' web sites.

He reviewed his profile information once again. Checked his answers to all the questions, again. Were these answers going to match him with the girl of his dreams? And what exactly was 'the girl of his dreams?'

He positioned the mouse pointer over the 'Submit" button and paused one final second.

"Click"

 

[Cowgurlhat]

Why were good men so difficult to find?

Amber sipped on her mug of tea as she massaged her sore heels, stewing over the day's events. She had to watch, yet again, as the same man who she had mooned over for years-- and who had used and left her-- going around with his newest flavor... a blonde bimbo ten years his junior that had also gotten the position she worked hard for since she was hired at their local bank. That was something she could never understand: those that wanted women for their looks never liked them having a brain, and those who wanted smart women thought them having great looks as well made them stuck up! And Amber didn't believe herself that stellar in either stance, but she still had something to go on.

She twirled a lock of light brown hair around her fingers, setting her mug down to start up the laptop. Amber had never had a great past with dating. Just when she thought she had a chance at finding true happiness, she'd either find something about them that would make her want to end the relationship, or she would suddenly find herself high and dry. Her hazel eyes narrowed at her screen, wondering why she was still trying. At 32, with her own place and a degree just waiting to be used, she could support herself for the rest of her life... and settle. Maybe her sister was right; someone could never be totally satisfied if they were alone.

Then again, since she was the first of the two of them to be married and with children, it could be that Amber was just anxious to do the same. Still, at her sister's urging, she had started up a profile onto a newer website called MatchMeUp.com, which looked very promising at her initial look. It had taken a bit of gumption for her to finally finish her profile and get it posted. She had gotten the email notifications that suggested potential matches to her, but none of them had felt right to her. And after a day like today, she didn't know why she even decided to bother to continue looking, she was that discouraged. But, a picture in the newest email she received caught her eye. He was certainly attractive.

She clicked on the link, taking her to his profile. Brad, a 35 year old investment broker... with a casual, yet handsome, look. Hmm... that looked just right for her. And some of his interests matched her own, which was always good. Mulling it over a few moments, she started up a message to send to him. But what to say? She was skeptical that he was for real, and didn't want to be too over-eager... however, she didn't want to be too aloof either. Slowly, she typed out a good message:

'Hey Brad. I just read your profile, and I think I'd like to know more about you. Can you tell me more about yourself?'

Her mouse wavered over the 'Send' button, wondering if she should write more, or if he'd even reply. But, did she have anything to lose at this point? Taking a deep breath to stable herself, she clicked her mouse... and prepared to wait.

 

[SerenityInMyWoods]

It had been a long day for Brad and he was tired. He liked his job. He was good at it. It paid him a good salary but too often he had to stay late at the office. Today was one of those days. So he was beginning to hate his job. It was consuming his life and that was not what Brad wanted.

He had decided to join MatchMeUp.com to find a new companion, to have a good relationship. He hoped for a great relationship, a relationship that could become the new focus of his life, and improve his life. But it would not just fall into his lap. He had to make the effort to produce the best results.

So even as tired as he was, he turned on his computer. His email notified him that he had new messages. One of those was from MatchMeUp.com. They notified him of some potential matches. He clicked the link in the message that took him to his Matches page.

Five potential matches rose to the top of the list. Three of these he quickly dismissed as being obvious flawed. He wondered about their algorithms for finding potential matches. Maybe this was a waste of time. The other two potential matches were similar to each other. Both ladies asked essential the same question; “Will you tell me more?” He wasn’t sure why, but he decided to reply to Amber. Maybe it was because she was closer to his age, hopefully with similar interests and maturity. Maybe she had similar reasons to be on MatchMeUp.com. He clicked the reply button.

‘What to write?’, he thought to himself. ‘Do I try to reply with what I think she want to hear? And what would that be? Or do I just be honest and hope that honesty is the best?’

He began typing, “Hello Amber. Thank you for showing an interest in me. I work in an office all day long, performing a job I am good at, but it is not fulfilling to me. Away from work, I enjoy art shows, art galleries, and street art festivals. I love to take photographs, mostly portraits, and this is one way I explore my inner creative self. I like listening to music of different types, and I play guitar and piano. I enjoy live performing arts. I also enjoy traveling and various cuisines of the world, especially Italian, Chinese, and oddly, Mexican food. Not Tex-Mex or Cali-Mex, but true authentic Mexican food.

“Even with these various interests, I do not feel complete. I am looking for companionship with the possibilities of a relationship becoming more. Honestly I am tired of short-term relationships.

“I hope this answers your question. My turn to ask; Can you tell me more about yourself?”

He started at the screen and reread what he had typed onto the screen. Was this what he wanted to say about himself? It was accurate. It did describe his likes and activities. Should he ask her the same, open question? Is she expecting the same question in return? Is she asking for the same question in return? Only one way to find out.

With a click he sent his reply. He logged off from his account, turned off the computer, and he went to bed. Everything else could wait until tomorrow.

 

[Cowgurlhat]

It was just before Amber went to bed, having wound herself down from the stressing day with a good book and some of her favorite music, when she decided to check again to see if there was a response. With all that she had done to relax herself, her heart jumped up a few inches as she saw a reply from Brad waiting for her. The preview didn't give her too much to go on, making her have to log in again to read the rest of it. Once she did, she pondered over the screen some more.

This guy was sounding a lot like her, in a way. Stuck in an unfulfilling job, and wanting something more out of it... His hobbies surprised her as well, finding quite a few similar interests. Was this guy for real? Or was he simply telling her everything she wanted to hear? Taking a risk, she clicked a few times and settled in to reply.

'Hello Brad. Thank you for answering! Like you, I have a proficient job, but not a fulfilling one, sad to say. My favorite hobbies match yours; I enjoy going to art shows and street festivals, love photography, and while I can't play an instrument to save my life, I do sing well.'

"More like carry a tune," she murmured to herself. Then again, she was always overly critical when it came to her singing, so he would probably have to decide for himself. Should it ever get that far, of course.

'I enjoy traveling, and going to plays as well. I have a firm belief that there are many great stories out there, just waiting to be heard, so I try to go as often as possible... even if it's just down the street." Pinching her lip, she added, "And even though it's small, I come from an Italian family. Cooking is a must here.'

She had half a mind to invite him over so she could feed him, but resisted. They had only just started talking to each other, she had to remember that. Amber twisted her hair around a bit before typing again. 'I'm not here because I'm tired of short relationships... but more so because of the insincerity of my past relationships. It'd be nice to have something real this time around.'

And yikes, that was way too much baggage! But it felt good to get that out there... maybe Brad wouldn't mind? If he did, they could always ease back to more lighthearted topics, which she had every intention of doing now. 'You mentioned playing the guitar and piano? How long have you had lessons?'

 

[SerenityInMyWoods]

The next day of work was easier on Brad and he was able to leave the office at the normal close of the business day. He felt a desire for Italian food so he stopped by his favorite local restaurant for dinner. He savored his dinner of cannelloni along with a glass of red wine. His hunger was satisfied. He was feeling good about the day. It was time he went home and got comfortable. Red wine had a way of relaxing Brad.

As soon as he arrived home he changed out of the suit into more comfortable jeans with a polo shirt. Next he decided to check his computer. He was pleased to see that he had a reply from Amber. He was already feeling good about this match. Brad sometimes sensed that events in life would turn out well. This was one of those situations.

He carefully read her message. She had said all the right things. They shared several interests and even had similar issues with their jobs. Did she really like art shows? Or did she say that to please him? He decided one way to find out was to invite her to one. They could separately arrive and meet for an indefinite length of time. Should either one care to bow out, they could leave at any time.

He typed his reply, “Hello Amber. I am pleased that we have several common interests. I would very much like to meet you. There is a new art show of work by local photographers opening this weekend at the Art on 8th Gallery. Care to meet me there Saturday night at seven?” He decided to keep the message short and to the point, he asked to meet her. He pressed the Send key.

He decided to not respond to her question about music lessons. He hadn’t taken any and had taught himself how to play. And he decided to not tell her that some of his own photographs might be on display in the art show. He had submitted several photos in the hope that some of his work would be accepted for the show. But he didn’t know if any, or which ones, might have been accepted. The title of the show was to be “Portraits & Figures”. Most of Brad’s work was portraits, but he had submitted a couple of nude female photographs. He doubted that either of those would be accepted as he seldom took nudes and did not consider those his best work. And it could be awkward for Amber to see one of those on their first date.

 

[Cowgurlhat]

Amber's next day at work was much like the previous-- slightly uneventful, and filled with staring she couldn't help but do as the Blond Bimbo strutted past. In her super high heels and very small waist that only served to accentuate the curves of her chest and hips, it definitely made Amber self-conscious enough to start looking up push-up bras and hip hugging jeans during her lunch hour. Though she doubted either would help; her crush had manicured claws sunken deep into his ass, ensuring he wouldn't be going anywhere for a while.

But, why was she still mooning over the past, anyways? Didn't she have Brad from the website now? Well, she didn't have him, so much as have a reason to not look back to her past of heartache. That was a great first start to take, but also one that had to be committed to. Still... while she was now in the business of turning over a new leaf, maybe she could apply it to more than one aspect of her life. It'd certainly be very symbolic of a new life she intended for herself.

And the first thing she'd start with were her heels. Toeing out of them after her work day ended, she massaged her sore feet in the midst of making herself dinner. Her first impulse was to check and see if he had replied, but that was resisted, not wanting to revert back to her giddy schoolgirl days. When she finally did, however, she was dying with curiosity to read what Brad had to say. While slightly disappointed that he hadn't answered her question, her stomach somersaulted when he suggested they meet.

So soon? And hardly knowing anything about each other? Him suggesting a public place was a smart move on his part, giving Amber an open opportunity to leave if things got too uncomfortable for her. Also suggesting an art showing that she had been contemplating on going to was smart, when gearing towards gaining her interest. While her landscapes and still life's were favorable, she had been trying for a while to perfect her portrait work, and was thinking that studying how others had done so could help give her pointers. Maybe she could even ask Brad?

Thinking over the pros and cons, she replied to his message: 'I'd like to meet you then, yes. Saturday at seven... I'll see you there!'

 

[SerenityInMyWoods]

Brad was glad that the Art on 8th Gallery had opened early for the new show that Saturday night. He was doubly nervous. This would be his first meeting with Amber and he hoped it went well. Also, he was hopeful that some of his photography would be included in the show, but was concerned if either of the nudes he submitted would be there for Amber to see. He had no idea what her reaction might be if she saw either of those, or how he would explain the circumstances by which he took those photos of a female friend.

So he had very mixed emotions when he discovered that two of his photos were on display. A portrait he had taken of a male friend was in one of the interior gallery rooms. The shocker to Brad was that one of the nudes he had taken was prominently on display in the front room of the gallery. Apparently the gallery owner loved the erotic nature of that particular photograph.

He waited in the front room, keeping an eye on the entrance, and sipping a glass of white wine. Just after seven o’clock he saw Amber enter the gallery. She looked better than her photos on the MatchMeUp.com website. She really was quite attractive.

He approached her, and reached out his hand in greeting. “Hello Amber. So nice to meet you, and so glad you could make it.”

She politely shook his hand. “Hello Brad. Glad to be here and glad to meet you.”

Brad sensed a twinkle in her eye when she had first turned to see him. Maybe he did make a good first impression.

“May I get you a glass of wine?” he asked.

“Yes. White please.”

He turned to see that a waiter had just come into the room with a tray of wine glasses. Brad retrieved a glass of white and handed it to Amber. They raised their glasses in a silent toast and each took a sip.

They chatted a bit, exchanging pleasantries and began to stroll around the gallery looking at the photographs. Each said very little to the other about the art. On occasions one or the other would stop and take a closer look at a photograph appearing to admire the details. When they passed Brad’s photo of a reclining nude female, Amber paused to inspect it a bit closer. Brad wondered what she was thinking, but decided to say nothing. She looked closer at the artist’s name and then turned to look at Brad with one raised eyebrow, as if asking the question, “Yours?”

“Yes, that is one of mine”, he said in reply to the unspoken question. He said nothing else and moved on to the next photograph, waiting for her to ask more, and wondering how he might answer.