I'm utterly amazed by my body's ability to respond to Zander's kiss with my mind at a complete standstill. If he wasn't holding onto me tightly with both arms wrapped around my waist, I would have dropped and fallen flat on my face before tumbling down the stairs from the shock I've just received. So this is what it feels like to be kissed by Zander Nolan and god did it feel sooo good! I don't even hesitate to comply to his wishes when he prods my mouth open, deepening it.

The ground beneath me could cave right at this moment but I don't even care because I'm so lost in the bliss of the moment. As if becoming suddenly needy, I slowly bring my hands around his neck to get closer, not wanting an inch of space remaining between us and feel my back hit against a wall. Everything is on fire; my skin, my clothes, and probably the wall - I'm utterly and completely lost.

But like all good things it ends as quick as it began.

Pulling away from me, he rests his forehead against mine and I slowly crack my eyes open in a daze, my breathing laboured, my lips set in a pout from the loss of contact, more swollen than they've ever been. Blinking with raised eyebrows, I glance at him with silently questioning eyes.

"Wha-wah what was that?" I asked breathlessly, my eyes heavily glazed over as I stare back at his mouth, licking my lips to recall the feel of them on mine.

Giving me a smug grin, Zander stares down at me warmly with his hands still holding me in place, "What do you think?"

"I think that's something friends shouldn't do." I mumble out, feeling heat beginning to creep up on my neck with the look of desire burning within those green smouldering eyes.

"That's because I don't want to be just your friend."

My eyes widen before I step back hastily, our magical moment of rapture coming to an end, the distance I've created making both of us frown.

"What?" I ask shocked, pausing briefly before remembering why we were here on the fifth floor emergency exit in the first place, "But...that doesn't change the fact that you lied about knowing!"

His lips firmly press together to form a grim line, his eyes scanning my face, "I didn't lie to you Cat, I withheld the the truth from you. Yeah, I did know but I was going to tell you eventually, I just didn't know how."

A sense of guilt sneaks up on me as I realise I've been struggling with those exact conflicting emotions but not wanting to admit my own inner turbulence I give Zander a hard look, "What do you mean?"

Pointing at the stairs, he takes a seat and motions for me to take the spot next to him, "You better sit down for this, it might take awhile to explain."

Cautiously sitting down on the cold step, I turn to him expectantly, "So..." I draw out slowly, staring at the wall across us, my mind trailing back to our kiss but I have to shake myself from my wandering thoughts.

"So...I may have known the entire time who you were. It wasn't really hard to figure out and you're a terrible liar, no offence. At first I did want to approach you to help me figure out a way to end an engagement that was made years ago between my Dad and one of his oldest friends. Not to mention the club girl who was actually an entertainment columnist posing as a customer and staging the entire thing. I didn't know how to get out of that without professional help and you have an incredible rapport."

"Okay," I drawled out, not fazed by the shower of business compliments.

Wincing, he offers me a regretful look before smiling slightly, "Sorry. I know I had selfish intentions but I had no idea you were so young. I had hired one of my Dad's investigator's to locate you and he provided an address and name so I moved in next door, hoping to learn more about you before approaching you for help since I didn't want to be taken advantage of for a third time."

"So then why didn't you come clean earlier?" I demand, admonishing myself for my lack of performative abilities while nursing feelings of empathy for Zander since he was stuck between a rock and a hard place...one that happens to be the size of a boulder.

"Well because when I came knocking at your door I was thrown off guard. The Matchmaker I met was a bumbling young woman, not some old hag I had envisioned and I got interested."

"Interested? I'm not some past time or hobby Zander, elaborate," I wheeled out, heat instantly inching up.

Zander flinches at my harsh tone before turning to me pleadingly, "Interested...because I wanted to be your friend and I just didn't know how. Let's just say I gravitated towards the Catherine Lewis who refused to give me white or brown eggs."

My eyes narrow before I harrumph in understanding, "So what did you expect?"

"I expected you to keep your guard up but I also knew you wouldn't shut the door in my face since it's too tempting to set the President's son up with a date." He nudges me playfully and my mouth hangs open at his cunning assessment of my course of action.

Sputtering in awe and anger I hop off the staircase, taking a few steps away to create a safe distance, standing almost above him with a hand against my hip, "But still...why pretend to be so interested in the Matchmaker?"

"Because it was the only way to get you out of your apartment and spend time with you."

Sighing, I yank my eyes away from his puppy-like ones that were whirling with innocence and address the present reluctantly, "Now what?"

Rising to stand in front of me, Zander peers down at my face with a broad grin, "Now I guess I admit to liking you, to really liking you. And to admitting that I still need your help, I need to figure out a way to piece together a broken reputation, I don't care personally, but I know it's hurting my family."

 He leans forward to place one of the many strands of loose hair behind my ear letting his fingers brush the side of my face, "My objective was to be your friend but I want that and so much more. Maybe I'm just overly selfish and refuse to think otherwise?"

"Wha-why?" I blurt out, startled when he begins to delicately trace his fingers against my lips.

"You see me as a person first, your job aside you see me as your friend and not someone to gain anything from. I've had to end friendships because I've been betrayed and led on by people who I thought were on my side but weren't. They were only after money and fame, and once they realised I couldn't and wouldn't offer them that, they all left."

Staggering backwards, my eyes furrow as my heart sinks when I think of my own selfishness, "But I was after money too. I've looked at you as a prospective client, someone who can secure me success for the future since setting you up with a match means access to more A-list clients."

Shaking his head, Zander reaches out for my hand giving it a firm squeeze, his eyes glinting with amusement at how drastically my mood seems to change as a result of his confessions. 

"Even after we became friends?"

Gnawing my lip, I sniff lightly before addressing him begrudgingly, "Okay...I admit to wanting to tell you the truth but you're making me look like a saint when I haven't been acting with pure intentions. I only considered revealing the truth not too long ago."

"Your ability to even admit that proves that you are."

Closing my eyes, I hold up my free hand wanting him to stop,"Okay okay, I'm not such a good guy and you're not exactly the bad guy here. I think we've established that."

Nodding, he gives my wrist a tug and pulls me in closer, "And I guess there's something else I should confess."

"There's more?" I squeaked, dreading the smug smile that slowly forms and the mischievous glint in his eyes.

"HmmMm, let's just say everyone knows."

"By everyone you mean..." I draw out slowly, my voice a bare whisper.

"Patrick, my Mom, my Sister...my Dad's Secretary...probably my Dad since he played along."

"THEY ALL KNOW?" I squawk, abruptly tearing myself away to glare at him incredulously.

That explains EVERYTHING. 

Patrick seemed so cooperative when we had to look for the Matchmaker before, and all those looks he's given me...he's known the entire time! And Mrs. Nolan! Oh god...what the heck does she think of me?

Shrugging flippantly, Zander gives me a small smile,"It was bound to happen right?" He tries to reach for my hand again but I yank it away, placing it behind my back and this act of non-compliance makes him frown.

"And what makes you think that?" I grind out angrily, my thoughts becoming dark; was everyone playing me for a fool?

"Because I want you to be my girlfriend." He declares matter-of-factly as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Huffing, I cross my arms sending him daggers, "So you're just going to violate my privacy and tell them?"

"Doesn't my reason count?"

"NO!"

"But - "

Closing my eyes for a brief second, they snap open with irritation written all over my face, "But you only make me look like an idiot in front of everyone and all my efforts to get you a proper match go down the drain! I was stressing out, no freaking out over how I was being a bad friend because I couldn't be completely honest with you but you're the one that's been keeping secrets!" Panting at my outburst, my eyes convey the hurt I feel, which stuns Zander as he takes a small step back.

Even after considering my words carefully he has the audacity to grin down at me, "And?"

"And I'm going to get you the best match that there is! I'm going to pair you with the girl of your dreams and five years from now you better walk her down the aisle and be grateful towards me for the rest of your life!" Finishing my haughty declaration, I continue to glare at him since the baboon was only grinning from ear to ear. He's totally lost his sanity and I'm about to lose mine from going bat-shit crazy.

"Why not be the mystery girl yourself..."

Rolling my eyes, I stick out a pointed finger and jab it into his chest, "Because that would never work! According to your profile which happens to be a 'Type A' you're more suited for a Veterinarian or an Actress."

Gawking at me, he gives me a dark look with no sign of his previous enjoyment when I had my tantrum, "What?"

"I'm going to make this happen. I owe you this much, and I'll even help you figure out a solution to your problem."

Scoffing, Zander mutters something under his breath before giving me a dry look of scorn, "Wow, you only listen to what you want to hear."

"I heard everything!" I huff dramatically, flinging my hands in the air for added measure.

"Except how I like you right?"

Flustered, my eyebrows knit together as I bite down on my lip losing all the dramatic flair I had earlier, "No...I heard you it's just...it's just that..." spluttering, I'm at a loss for words. How could he just throw a confession at me like that? Was it that easy for him to admit his feelings?

"It's just what?"

"I'm no good!" I blurt out.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you can't date your Matchmaker!"

"But I didn't hire you!"

"Well...you're going to!"

"Are you...are you blackmailing me?"

"No."

"Then what are you? A fortuneteller? How would you know what I will and will not do?"

"Because I'm your friend and being your friend makes me good for the job," I'm now whining, my voice hitched and slightly shrill since a part of my brain was still denying Zander's confession.

"So being my friend makes you a bad girlfriend but good Matchmaker?"

"Yup."

Annoyed, Zander gives me a skeptic look, "Where do you get off making conclusions like that?"

"Hey! That's coming from a guy who names a cactus and a couch!" I cry out defensively.

"Says the Matchmaker who doesn't even know when a guy likes her!"

"I don't get paid to clue in on love, I get paid to make a good match."

"That doesn't even make any sense!"

"Does too!"

"Does not!"

Pouting, I cross my arms again and start tapping a foot feeling rattled, "Stop being difficult!"

"I'm the one being difficult?"

"You heard me loud and clear the first time!"

"No, no, no. You don't get to change the subject. You're not going to get me a match Cat because I already found one, and that's you!"

Gasping, my mouth hangs open while my arms drop to my sides and my hands ball into fists, "No it's not! Stop trying to tell me how to do my job! You're a 'Type A' and I'm a 'Type F', we're completely different. Besides, our personalities clash. Look, the figures and algorithm don't lie!"

"How can you believe in such crap?"

"It's not crap it's my source of income!" I yell out, offended that he'd call my work crap.

"Well it makes no sense."

"Does too!"

"Does not!"

Grinding my teeth from annoyance, I have no retort except the one stupid thing that comes flying out of my damn mouth, "I'm...I-I'm going to tell your Mom!"

Snorting, Zander's look of amusement only irritates me further as he crosses his arms casually and walks over to the wall to lean against it,"Tell my Mom what? That her son likes you?"

"Yes.

"Well she already knows."

"Then I'm going to go with Gwen to that party and meet Richard Young!"

All trace of casualness and amusement flees his face, his eyes darkening before they narrow, "WHAT?"

"You heard me!"

"What does he have to do with anything?"

"Since you don't want me working for you, I'll just have to get him a match!" I declare resolutely, highly aware of the fact that I was standing at the edge of a cliff by pushing Zander's buttons.

"That's not fair!" He grumbles out, his face contorting into something unreadable...wait is that jealousy I detect?

"Not fair? How? I'm trying to help you out and you don't want my help."

"Because I don't need someone else."

"So?"

"So our kiss means nothing to you?" He asked incredulously, his voice a strained whisper as his eyes zero in on my lips.

Shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot, I tear my eyes away to look at the wall, "I...I-I I'm sorry, that was poor work ethic." I deflated pathetically, closing my eyes from the regret surging through me as soon as my words are out. I could never regret that kiss, not in a million years!

Who am I? Where is timid Catherine hiding? Who was I to push Zander away like this when all he's ever done is look out for me? But I can't just blatantly admit to him that I was struggling to come to terms with such a confession; why would anyone like a weak person as myself? If I had to self-evaluate myself, I'd fail miserably since I'd make a lousy partner. I barely love myself, I can't expect someone to love me and I can't be expected to love someone else as well. This is all too much! My wall of solitude crumbled slightly to let him into my life as a friend but to go beyond that...I'm terrified of the thought of having it torn down and god forbid, Zander ever walks out on me I won't ever be able to cope.

I'm scared.

So I guess Catherine the coward is still alive and kicking I muse internally. I need to get my freakin' act together! This is insanity, I never thought I would be contemplating thoughts of being together with Zander, and I really wasn't joking when I said our personalities would clash.

"I'm not buying this but I'll let it slide this time. You should prepare yourself Cat, I'm going to make you regret believing in rigid categories that place people in a box and make you willing admit defeat."

My eyes widen before I can quickly mask my features, "No I won't," I bite out, more to myself than to Zander.

Giving me a sly grin, he suddenly backs away to asses my appearance before meeting my eyes, "Oh really? Because that sure doesn't sound convincing."

"Yes." I hiss softly, hating the sound of my frail voice.

Shaking his head he sighs before giving me a heart-wrenching warm smile, making me wish I had something to hold onto since this was all so much. "I'll see you later Catherine." And with mischievousness glowing in green eyes, he gives me my space and walks away.

Observation: Zander Nolan likes Catherine Lewis and Catherine Lewis...well she's a complete mess.