Epilogue
Olivia
Six months later…
“If there’s anything I’ve learned about love, it’s that it is completely unpredictable.
And not just because people are unpredictable.
That’s a given. No love, in all its crazy currents, is unpredictable because even when obstacles arise, it finds a way.
It shifts and evolves, taking new shape, and finding new paths.
It’s an object in motion that stays in motion even when friction attempts to stop it.
And once it finds you, the odds of escaping it are little to none. ”
I am sitting on the couch at the studio, mic clipped to my shirt, seated sideways, facing the middle.
I don’t usually sit on the couch during Unmatched recordings.
I also don’t usually have cameras on, providing our listeners with a rare treat–a video.
But the biggest abnormality in today’s episode (aside from being the first episode of a brand new series) isn’t the couch or the cameras or even the fact that Kiersten isn’t joining me today.
It’s Luca, who is sitting across from me on the couch.
“Hello everyone and welcome to Unmatched, your number one dating podcast. I am Olivia Ramone and, as I am sure you’ve noticed, this handsome man sitting across from me isn’t Kiersten, though she will be back next week.
I’m sure many of you recognize him as the CEO of Realr, the most successful dating app to date.
And today, we have the privilege of discussing with him just what makes his app, and love, successful. ”
“That said, we are launching a new series right now. Connected, an Unmatched series about authentic love no matter how you met. Whether it was on an app or through a friend or even something more whimsical,” I go on. “So Luca, tell us a little about how you got where you are right now.”
“Well, I fell in love with a catfish,” he says and I give him a look, and he winks with a smile.
By the way. I don’t hate his new habit of smiling.
It looks good on him. So does love. “No, in all seriousness, I am where I am because I have always believed that love and partnership are important, enough so that we should throw ourselves into it.”
“I agree,” I smile. Despite the fact I never thought it would happen to me, falling head over heels for someone with different viewpoints has actually had benefits.
For those of you who don’t know, Luca and I have very different ideas about the best, most authentic, most successful way to meet our soulmates.
In fact, believe it or not, just six months ago Luca didn’t even believe in soulmates. “What changed that for you?
“I’m not really sure,” he says, scratching his chin and squinting his eyes in thought.
“Really?” I ask. “You can’t think of any reason you went from a firm supporter in the science and logistics of relationships and suddenly you believe romance is real?”
“Not really,” he says, and I toss a throw pillow at him.
Luca laughs, I roll my eyes, Henry gives us a thumbs up, and our ratings go through the roof.
I think it’s safe to say that after six months of learning to appreciate our different approaches, Luca and I have a rhythm in our connection.
A spark that stays lit even when the storms hit.
And considering the trip we have taken our listeners on, who are we to rob them of our secrets?
“I think for me, it was vulnerability. Something most men don’t even like to think about.
But I think it’s important that people understand what vulnerability actually is.
Men specifically. For me, it was admitting that I was lonely.
That’s not an easy thing to do when you have spent a lifetime trying to convince yourself that you don’t need anyone because your only models of love are models that failed. ”
“You’re talking about your parents, aren’t you?” I ask, already knowing the answer. Luca nods, wiping a hand across his mouth.
“The thing about my parent’s relationship wasn’t that they didn’t seem happy.
It was actually the opposite. And I think that’s what made it so devastating and detrimental for me when I found out that their marriage was falling apart due to infidelity.
I suddenly lost faith in everything I’ve ever believed in because I had no idea.
They were impeccable at convincing me of the opposite. ”
“Right,” I nod softly. “So that changed the face of love for you.”
“Absolutely. It changed the face of love, it changed my definition of love, and it completely shattered my faith in love. Especially romantic relationships. Because in my eyes, they were perfect for each other. They checked every box, from intimacy to limited arguing to vases of flowers brought home on random Tuesdays to shoulder rubs in the evening. Just to find out that they weren’t happy, and they were finding that happiness elsewhere, it ruined me. ”
“I find it interesting,” I say. “Your fight or flight response to that was to create a dating app. I think a lot of men would have just written off love altogether.”
“Oh, I agree,” Luca says. “But I couldn’t do that.
I never really knew why, but I couldn’t do it.
I used to believe that it was because I thought that if I created something that proved love could be real, that maybe it would’ve somehow saved their marriage.
But I think in reality it was because I didn’t want other people to go through what I went through or even what my dad went through.
And because I have always been a realist and a left-brained person, the logistics of a dating app in response to an intimacy crisis seemed perfect. ”
“So it had nothing to do with money,” I joke, and he chuckles. “No, it had nothing to do with money. Not that I hate how many zeros are on my paychecks.”
And neither do I. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived comfortably financially speaking, but like Luca said, that is not the motivation here. Money or no money. I’m pretty sure there’s no force of nature or logistics that could keep us apart at this point.
“So do you think it’s safe to say that you are, in fact, romantic and always have been?”
“Perhaps,” Luca nods. “Though I do think my romance and spontaneity and even element of surprise in my relationship have peaked over time.”
“You sound pretty confident about that,” I sass. “Especially considering your girlfriend works in the industry too. And has always had an edge on you in the romance department.”
“Maybe,” he shrugs. And I laugh.
“Maybe?” I ask.
“Yeah. I think I’ve surpassed you at this point.”
My eyebrow arches, and I smirk. “Are you sure?”
Suddenly, Luca stands up and smiles down at me. Then he lowers himself to one knee and reaches into his pocket, revealing a small amethyst-colored velvet box. He proceeds to pop it open, showcasing an absolutely gorgeous emerald-cut diamond ring.
“Yeah,” he says as he smiles up at me. “I’m pretty sure. I’m also pretty sure that you are the love of my life. Absolutely sure if we’re being honest. Which is why, Olivia Ramone, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
I have to be honest.
I have seen many proposals in my life. I have watched many people fall in love.
I have witnessed a million different I do’s.
And for the most part, I predicted them all.
Because when a connection is that pure, and that meant to be, and that cosmically perfect, it’s safe to say that it’s going to end with a ring and wedding bells.
But despite all of that, despite my one million plus listeners, I never saw this coming.
Not here in my studio while sitting on my couch.
And I think it’s safe to say that Luca Laurent is crowned winner.
“Yes,” I nod, tears streaming down my cheeks for all to see. He slides it on my finger, and I look over at my friends, who are all smiling and teary-eyed. But they don’t look surprised, which tells me they knew. And that tells me I was easier to fool than I care to admit.
But at the same time, who would I, Olivia Soon-To-Be- Laurent, be if I believed love could be predictable?
I turn back to the camera, dabbing my eyes and wishing I’d opted for waterproof mascara, but also not caring.
“Well,” I say as the cameras continue to roll. “I can’t think of a better way to launch a series about connection.”
Luca smiles and stands up. Then he pulls me against him and presses his lips to mine.
I can hear Henry’s tablet exploding with notifications of new listeners and heart emojis flying.
The number is flying sky-high, that much is obvious.
But not higher than my heart, which sling-shot to clear to the moon.
Unmatched Dating 101- Rule #1: If you have to force it, it’s not love. And it’s not right. But if you can’t fight it, and the connection is unavoidable, undeniable and unbreakable, it’s the real thing. No guardrails, no filters, no secrets, no questions. It’s meant to be.