The Matchmakers

By Ada Stone

Fed up with the ongoing frustrations of dating, Holly and her friend Melissa make a pact to try their hands at matchmaking. It’ll be a fun diversion from their own struggles — and what could go wrong, anyway?

With the pact underway, Holly watches her new housemates disagree over just about everything and senses the potential to cultivate an erotic passion between them. Meanwhile, Melissa sees an opportunity in her workplace, a middle school full of young and single staff; after meeting the new English teacher, Melissa sends one of her department’s sign-language interpreters to work in his second-period class. Little do Melissa and Holly know that both their matches share a person: Eric.

What will happen when Melissa and Holly finally figure out what they’ve started? And how will Eric handle this sudden abundance of romance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: Jul 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781094412115

Ada Stone

Ada Stone is a queer and trans book-obsessed human from the Pacific Northwest, where they live now. They love spending quiet time among trees and mountains, listening to their favorite albums on repeat, and receiving “your holds are ready for pickup” alerts from the library.

Book preview

Chapter One

How about you? Melissa asks. Tell me you at least had a good date with what’s-his-name.

Holly delays the bad news by taking a long sip of her latte. She sets the mug down and flicks her eyes to the side to hint that Melissa needn’t get her hopes up. ‘Good’ isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe what happened, she begins.

Oh hell no. Melissa shakes her head and reaches across the table to pat her friend’s hand. Do you want to talk about it? Even though they’ve known each other for almost ten years now, and have long talked about the most intimate details of their lives, Holly appreciates that Melissa never assumes she wants to tell all.

Sure, though there’s not really much to say, Holly answers. I’ll do my best to make it into a story. It was our third date, right? I was starting to get my hopes up since I have so few second dates, let alone third ones. Like, I can usually tell if we’re going to get along or not from an hour of chatting over coffee. And what’s-his-name — which is what he shall be called from now on — had been a great conversation partner. I even talked about my chronic pain, which isn’t usually first-date material, as you know! Anyhow, we were halfway through our drinks, sharing an appetizer, when he starts rubbing my leg with his foot. Then his hand is on my hand. It’s all nice and whatever, but then he leans forward and asks in this creepy whisper voice if I want to head back to his place! Mind you, the most we had done so far — on any of our dates — was hold hands!

Holly pauses to appreciate Melissa’s long sigh. Her friend knows better than to be surprised, but she doesn’t hold back her disappointment. The expression captures just how Holly had felt in the moment, exhausted by yet another letdown. So what did you do? Melissa prods.

I pulled away, shook my head, and said ‘no thank you.’ He sat there without speaking while I finished my drink and ate my fill of nachos. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for further explanation. But I just stood up, grabbed my purse, and turned to leave. Holly sips her coffee, enjoying the chance to build the tension of her story. Melissa leans slightly further forward on her elbows. Holly swallows and continues, As I took my first step away, he finally found his words and said, ‘Wait!’ So I swiveled my head back toward him. Then he asked — wait for it — he asked, ‘Haven’t you heard of the third-date rule?’ I said I had, but if he thought I cared about those ridiculous norms, we clearly weren’t a match. Then I walked on outta there!

Just as you should have! Melissa hits the table with an open palm. The mugs and saucers on the table clatter, but neither Holly nor Melissa lifts their head to check for other customers’ reactions.

You know, I’ve been in this city seven years now, Holly says thoughtfully, and I’m starting to think I’ve now been on a date with every person who’d be willing to go out with me — well, those who I’d be even remotely interested in, anyway.

Melissa sips her tea. I can’t say I haven’t had the same thought before. But this is a pretty big city. And besides, there are new people moving here and new people becoming single every day.

I don’t know. I guess, Holly replies. People think that being bi means you have so many more options, but it sure doesn’t feel like it to me.

I suppose some people get along with others easily, while others — like us, it seems — don’t have such an easy time, Melissa says.

I’m a couples’ therapist, for Christ’s sake. I should be able to make my own love life work.

The two sit in silence for a few moments before a hint of mischief crosses Melissa’s face.

What is it? Holly asks, knowing all too well what that look means.

I don’t know if I should tell, Melissa teases. You’d probably just say no.

Psh, Holly says. You always act like I’m some sort of scaredy-cat, but I don’t think you realize how many of your weird ideas I actually go along with.

This is going to require a lot more than ‘going along with,’ Melissa says.

Oh my god, just spit it out already!

Fine! Here it is: matchmaker competition. Melissa flips her palms open on the table.

…Ooookay? Holly replies. Care to say more?

I thought it was pretty self-explanatory, but…. Melissa drains her coffee. We each try to set up another pair of people in our life. The first person to get a couple past… say, the third date… wins!

Holly chuckles. You’re really ready to give up, then? On your own dating prospects, I mean.

Holly, Holly, Holly. Melissa shakes her head. I’m not giving up, I’m just taking a break and giving back to my community in the meantime. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Holly had known her answer from the second she’d heard Melissa’s idea, but she wasn’t about to admit her enthusiasm for such an adolescent plan. "If it’ll make