Cupid's Algorithm

Ground Rules and Glitches

"Ground rules, huh?" Liam grinned, leaning forward, suddenly invested. "This is getting serious."

Chloe grabbed a notepad and a pen from the coffee table, her expression determined. "Absolutely. We need structure. This isn't just a free-for-all swiping frenzy."

"Spoilsport," Liam teased, but he watched with amusement as Chloe began to write.

"Rule number one," Chloe announced, pen poised above the paper. "No catfishing. Obviously."

"Obviously," Liam echoed, feigning offense. "I would never."

"Rule number two," Chloe continued, "We have to actually go on the dates. No just matching and chatting. We need real-life experiences to judge the… quality."

"Agreed," Liam said. "But what counts as a date? Coffee? Dinner? A walk in the park?"

"Let's say anything that involves leaving the house and interacting with another human being for more than fifteen minutes," Chloe decided. "And no going to the same place twice."

"Okay, fair enough," Liam conceded. "Rule number three?"

Chloe tapped her pen against the notepad. "No dating people we already know. This is about meeting new people."

"Deal," Liam said. "What about… ghosting? Is ghosting allowed?"

Chloe frowned. "Absolutely not. We're adults. If you're not feeling it, you politely tell them. No disappearing acts."

"Okay, I can get behind that," Liam said. "Good karma and all that."

"Rule number four," Chloe continued, "We have to share our date stories with each other. The good, the bad, and the utterly bizarre."

Liam chuckled. "Oh, this is going to be good. I can already tell."

Chloe added one last rule. "No sabotaging each other's dates. Obviously."

Liam gasped dramatically. "Chloe! How could you even think I would do such a thing?"

"You're capable of anything when there's a free Italian dinner on the line," Chloe retorted, giving him a playful shove.

"Okay, okay, you got me," Liam admitted, grinning. "So, to recap: no catfishing, actual dates, no dating people we know, no ghosting, share our stories, and no sabotage. Did I miss anything?"

Chloe checked her notes. "I think that covers it."

Liam leaned back against the couch, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, when do we start?"

Chloe glanced at her phone. "How about… right now?" She opened the app store. "Time to download 'MatchMade in Oakhaven'."

Liam pulled out his own phone, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "May the odds be ever in your favor, Chloe."

Chloe smirked. "Oh, they will be. Just you wait."