Pursuit-of-Passion-PDF3 Page A

not to order anything with nuts in it, due to his allergy. When she heard him say, “I love you mommy,” she was out of there. Mommy ? What thirty-six year old man calls his mother mommy in the middle of a date? There was no way she wanted to compete with someone’s mother, besides the fact that it was creepy as hell.
    So, when she came across Access to Love, Inc., she thought, what the hell, may as well have someone else try to find the perfect match for me . Today had been four weeks since she’d filled out all the papers and submitted her medical clearance. She’d tried not to dwell on the amount of time it was taking—actually, she would have been suspicious if they’d found a match right away. She was hoping they were carefully going through their files and that they’d set her up with someone she was truly compatible with.
    The rest of her day was uneventful. She gathered her things to head home, and the minute she got off the elevator she heard the familiar ding of email arriving on her smart phone. She’d been bundled up for the cold, January weather—hat, scarf, gloves, as well as her heavy woolen coat— ready to brave the Manhattan streets for her four block walk to the subway. Sliding her phone out of her coat pocket, she glanced at the notification on the screen. Her heart began to beat out of her chest when she saw it was from Access to Love. Quickly biting the fingers of her gloved hand, she pulled her leather glove off with her teeth and stared at the screen. This was the moment she’d been waiting for. Drawing in a deep breath, she swiped her finger across the screen, put in her security code, and brought up the email, practically squealing after reading the first few lines.
    Dear Ivy,
    We are pleased to announce that Access to Love, Inc. has found your perfect match. We believe that, based on the paperwork you submitted, through our thorough screening process, we have found someone who is compatible to the highest degree, and have arranged for your extended date. Please be ready on Thursday, February 13, at 6 p.m. Pack a suitcase, including heavy winter wear, as well as a bathing suit. Your date will conclude on Sunday, February 16. A limousine will pick you up in front of your apartment building promptly. Please do not be late, as a flight has been arranged to your final destination. Congratulations once again, and if you have any questions, please contact us.
    Access to Love, Inc .
    Oh my God…oh my God. She was beyond thrilled, and glad that it was almost a month away. She had time to request an extended weekend off from work—after all, she had it coming to her. She never used her personal days, and her boss had to beg her to take her vacations. Her mind started to race—so much to do in those four weeks. Clicking off the email, she placed her phone in her pocket and put her glove back on. She was on such a high, she barely remembered walking to the subway and boarding the train. It was as if she were on autopilot, contemplating and wondering who her date would be, when she felt someone tapping her on the shoulder.
    “Earth to Ivy. What is up with you? I’ve been chasing after you since the turnstiles!” Amanda’s tone was somewhat annoyed.
    Startled to attention, Ivy focused on Amanda and let out a little shriek. “Amanda, you are never going to believe it. I got the email…you know…from Access to Love! They’ve found a match.”
    “No fucking way! Oh my God. Deets woman. I need the details.” Taking the phone out of her pocket, Ivy quickly accessed the email
    and read it aloud, careful to keep her voice down so no one else could hear. In her excitement, Amanda playfully punched Ivy on the shoulder.
    “GET. OUT. OF. HERE. This is totally awesome, and, holy shit, it’s Valentine’s weekend. Maybe it’s a sign.”
    Suddenly, Ivy’s eyes widened as she looked into Amanda’s. “Oh my God, I didn’t put two and two together. I never realized it would be over Valentine’s