Playing With Matches Read Online Free PDF Page A

twenty-eight was the equivalent of … a lot older. Even Leah, at twenty-three, was not going to be happy about being unmarried.
    “It’s not what I wanted,” Tamara said, her voice betraying a tiny wobble. She leaned back in her seat and gazed out the cloudy window. “I’ve just had … a really hard time getting dates. No matchmakers have really taken me under their wing. Even when I do go out, for some reason they never seem to progress past three or four dates.”
    I couldn’t hide my surprise. Tamara may not have been a supermodel or anything, but she was certainly nice to look at. Her orange ringlets outlined a sweet-natured face with a soft complexion. And she was smart, funny, and kind.
    “But you’re awesome .”
    She shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find someone.”
    Maybe Leah had gotten more dates because New York had a bigger community than Toronto. In fact, it reminded me a lot of the conversation over at the Bernsteins whenever Jeremy was around. “Sounds like Jeremy,” I muttered.
    “Who?”
    “Oh just this guy who practically lives at my aunt’s place. They’re all lawyers. So he’s become like a permanent house guest since he moved from Albany and passed the bar here.”
    “And he’s single?” Tamara twirled a lock of hair around her index finger.
    “Yes. He’s very single. It’s like he doesn’t have a life. He’s always there ,” I said, throwing my hands up.
    “Tell me more,” she said in a soft voice.
    The bus ground to a halt and the engine shut down with a belch, leaving a sound vacuum.
    I lowered my voice. “It’s no joke. I have no space in that house. He’s always watching me get chewed out by my aunt. And when he talks it’s either blah blah law, or blah blah food package deliveries, or blah blah animal shelter.”
    Tamara’s eyes widened. “Food package deliveries? Animal shelter?”
    “Yeah, he does deliveries every Thursday night. He also does volunteer legal work for this shelter that I’ve already heard about a thousand times. Anyways, of course he doesn’t have a girlfriend,” I said. “He’s obviously only comfortable with the elderly and with dogs. In fact I’ll bet he only likes elderly dogs.”
    Tamara was listening raptly, drinking in every word.
    “Anyways, you know what’s the worst thing?” I was unstoppable now. “He’s a Yankees fan.”
    Tamara chuckled. Like that was a joke . “So maybe he just needs someone who doesn’t care about baseball,” she said with wide eyes.
    The engine of the bus finally revved up.
    Tamara cleared her throat and tucked another lock behind her ear. “He sounds interesting.”
    “Please.” I snorted. “You could do so much better than Jeremy Koenig.”
    She shook her head. “I don’t know about that.”
    “Have you tried Rivky Marmor? She fixed up my —”
    I bit my lip. It wasn’t like Tamara could call her up and use me as a reference.
    “I’ve actually been in contact with and even met with her, but she’s never fixed me up.”
    I slumped back into my seat, spent from my rant. “Don’t give up so easily. I really wish I could help you find an amazing guy. You’re so wonderful and you’ve been amazing to me.”
    She smiled. “Sometimes we’re just put in unexpected situations where we can help people. I’m always happy to help you.”
    I looked at my only friend in Toronto. “You are so awesome. I actually passed a math test because of you. I really, really would do anything to help you too.”
    She closed her eyes and squeezed her lips together. “Thank you,” she said in a whisper, like she was about to cry.
    “Come again?”
    “It really has been impossible for me to find anyone to date,” she said, her cheeks reddening. “It sounds like Jeremy and I have a lot in common. I mean I really like that he does all that volunteering. You are so sweet.” She grabbed my hand in hers. “I really, really appreciate this.” Even her complexion was the colour of