I'm standing outside a fancy restaurant right now, waiting for Sam Patterson and his blind date for the evening, Janine. It's freezing cold here and I'm feeling a little pissed. Why can't people turn up on time for their own blind dates?

Suddenly, from a distance, I see Sam Patterson running towards me.

"Sorry, I'm late," he huffed. I stare at his outfit. He's wearing a tight-fitting shirt and shorts.

"What happened to you?" I ask curiously.

"I went running," he says nonchalantly. He looks at the restaurant name and raises his eyebrows. "This is where we're meeting? I thought it was supposed to be a casual and relaxing date."

I hold up my hands defensively. "Not my fault. Your blind date chose it."

Sam Patterson shrugs. At this moment, a Ferrari pulls up the sidewalk and a brown-haired woman emerges from the car.

"Bye honey!" she calls out and turns to face us.

"Are you Sam Patterson?" she asks with a frown.

"Yes. You're Janine?" he asks easily. He didn't seem awed by her perfect long legs and figure.

"Laila, I thought I clearly told you my preferences." Janine turns towards me with an irritated look.

"Yes," I say, surprised. "He fits all of your requirements."

"What's your occupation?" Janine demands. It looked as if she was interrogating a suspect.

"I'm in real estate." Sam answers.

"Not bad." Janine nods. "And what kind of car do you drive?"

"I don't drive. I take the metro."

"What?" Janine wrinkles her nose. "How are you going to fetch me then?"

"Fetch what?"

"I need my boyfriend to fetch me to work and from work every single day."

Sam looks taken aback. His gaze flickers to me and I can tell she had pissed him off. Danger alert.

"May I ask what line are you in?" he asks a little sarcastically.

"I'm a model, can't you tell?" Janine twirls around, showing off her tube top and mini-skirt. "I must say. You're one hunky guy. I might consider giving you a chance."

Sam rolls his eyes and I can literally feel steam hissing from him.

"Shall we go in?" I say brightly and then ushered Janine into the fancy restaurant.

"I cannot believe this," he mutters under his breath.

"I'm sure she's a really nice girl," I mutter back.

As the three of us file into the restaurant and sit down at a table (with me in the middle), Janine calls for the menu.

The moment the waiter arrived, Janine says, "I want the lobster salad, oyster soup and a bottle of red wine."

My eyes widen and I steal a peek at the menu. Geez, that costs a gazillion pounds.

"I thought all models are on a diet," Sam comments cryptically and I can't help but laugh.

As he glances at me, I smooth my expression into an impassive one. What was I thinking? It's highly unprofessional to be seen mocking your clients- even if she was a bitchy one in this case.

"I'm just naturally thin," Janine says in her high-pitched voice.

"What would sir and madam have?" the waiter asked.

I shook my head. "Just a glass of water."

"Same here." Sam hands the menu back.

"Why aren't both of you eating?" Janine sounds genuinely surprised. I can't tell if she's clueless or acting.

"Because some people like me have a moral obligation to not spend money on worthless things," Sam says seriously.

I can't tell whether he's joking or not.

"So!" I exclaim. "Do you want to start by sharing your hobbies?" I gesture to both of them.

"I like sports," Sam says. "And some other things."

Vague like hell.

"And you, Janine?" I ask.

"I like shopping and manicures," she says in a bored voice. "I mean, which girl doesn't?"

"I don't," I pipe up enthusiastically, but instead, earn myself a death glare from Janine.

"You. Don't?" she asks in an incredulous tone. "Are you a guy or what?"

I shrug. "I just don't find them amusing. I spend more time in museums than shopping malls."

"Museums?" Janine sounded horrified. "Who goes to museums these days?"

"I do," Sam says quietly. He looks at me with some interest. "Which types do you like?"

I think for a moment. "Probably the ones which depict realism or raw emotions like The Scream. Of course, I like the Modernists' abstract paintings too. Just that I can't grasp their meaning sometimes."

"Me too." He sounds surprised and he gazes at me. "I didn't know you liked such stuff."

"I didn't know you liked them either." I smile.

"Can we talk about something else besides boring old paintings?" Janine interjects.

I see a flicker of irritation on Sam's face and I secretly feel pleased but if I don't manage to matchmaker him, I can't earn a commission and the agency will go bust.

"Sure thing!" I say brightly. "Why don't we play Twenty questions so that both of you can get to know each other?"

"Why don't you join in?" Sam asks.

"What?" I stare at him and mutter, "I'm the matchmaker here. The point of this blind date is to get both of you together."

"I don't see any possibility of that happening," he mutters back.

"I will start first," Janine says, looking more animated than before. She asks, "When did you first get laid?"

"What?" I exclaim. "Janine! This isn't a proper question."

"It totally is," she retorts.

"18," Sam replies.

"That's later than me but whatever." Janine waves her hands. "Your turn."

"How long was your previous relationship?" he asks politely.

"Quite long...." Janine counts her fingers. "One week."

I widen my eyes. ONE WEEK? Who on earth dates for only 1 week? Seriously.

"I'm not surprised," Sam says darkly and sips his drink.

"My turn," Janine says. "How many girlfriends have you had before?"

I lean forward, curious in spite of myself.

"Two," Sam says.

"Two?" Janine looks scandalized. "That little?"

"I don't like frivolous relationships," Sam says. "Unlike some people." He raises his eyebrows meaningfully but Janine didn't catch his meaning.

I bite my lips, a little unsure of how this date will work out. But we made it through dinner with little casualties.

When the waiter arrives with the bill, Janine points her finger at Sam. "Darling, will you pay? I'm out of cash." She smiles sweetly.

Sam narrows his eyes. "Why can't you pay for your own food?"

"Are you a gentleman or not?" I whisper. "Just pay for it. You're the guy here."

"A gentleman is not someone who pays for a lady's food," Sam grits through his teeth. "That's just a cocked up definition in our modern society."

The waiter raises his eyebrows and looks as if he's going to call the supervisor. I sigh and take out my credit card before handing it over, hoping that it's not maxed out already.

"Thanks Laila," Janine says sweetly. "I gotta go now." She stands up and sashays to the door.

I lean my head against the table and groan. "There goes my rent fee for the month."

"I thought matchmaking's a lucrative business," Sam comments.

"Sometimes it isn't." I take my purse and walk to the door.

"Your second date will be next week," I say, checking my list. "This one didn't go too well but maybe the next one's the girl for you."

"Yes, hopefully." Sam nods and we part at the entrance.