An Unlikely Match (The Match Series - Book #1) by Barbara Dunlop Page A

And now?”
    “Now?”
    “Have you met anyone in Pasadena?”
    Morgan hesitated. “I’m taking my neighbor with me to my high school reunion next weekend.”
    “The little hottie from Sapphire Sunday?”
    “That’s the one,” Morgan answered, even as he realized his mistake in letting Ryder think it was a regular date.
    He could only hope this conversation didn’t come back to haunt him. It was all well and good for Amelia to claim it was a real date when she was arguing with him. But they both knew it wasn’t. And if Ryder ever met up with Amelia again, there was a good chance he’d say something embarrassing.
    “You’re shittin’ me.” Ryder looked suitably amazed.
    “Ladies and gentlemen,” came the voice of the institute’s president as the lights dimmed in the theater. “It is my distinct honor this afternoon to welcome Dr. Samuel Finnegan back to the California Institute of Technology.”
    The crowd quickly quieted.
    “Dr. Finnegan needs no introduction to us here at Caltech. He is one of the founding scientists at NASA, a two-time recipient of the Harry Keiron Award. He holds doctoral degrees from Harvard, MIT and Caltech.”
    A cheer went up from the crowd.
    “And he is currently a member of the President’s Council on Aerospace Innovation. Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome home to Dr. Samuel Finnegan.”
    The crowd cheered loudly, everyone coming to their feet.
    Sam looked self-conscious coming up to the podium. Morgan wasn’t surprised. The man he’d met and spoken with in Florida had struck him as quiet and unassuming.
    Sam did, however, know how to communicate astrophysics. He spoke for a full hour to a hushed crowd. And he didn’t confine himself to hard science. He spoke of the socioeconomic and psychological impacts of examining the universe, the major questions under current study, and the implications of finding answers. He then outlined his next four lectures for the rest of the week: the big bang, dark matter, galaxies and black holes.
    A fterward, as the large crowd dispersed, Morgan and Ryder made their way to the private reception being held in the faculty club. Drinks and snacks were being served in the big hall, with the invited guests flowing back and forth between the patio and gardens.
    Sam was surrounded by a large cluster of people who were hanging on his every word. But, amazingly, when he spotted Morgan, he gave him a nod through the crowd, and then he broke free, making his way across the hall toward him.
    “You weren’t kidding,” Ryder noted with obvious awe.
    “Morgan,” Sam greeted, holding out his hand. “I was hoping I’d get a chance to say hi.”
    “ You knew I had a position here?” Morgan was surprised to hear the news had reached Sam.
    “Thanks to y our mother. She told your grandfather, and he mentioned it to me. Congratulations, by the way.”
    “Thank you.” Morgan angled his body to include Ryder. “Dr. Finnegan, this is Dr. Ryder McKinley, a fellow researcher.”
    “Please, call me Sam.” Sam shook Ryder’s hand.
    “Ryder,” Ryder responded. “It’s a great pleasure to meet you, sir.”
    “I haven’t done this in a while.” Sam gave a glance around. He couldn’t possibly fail to notice all the attention focused on him. Dozens of people were coming as close as they dared, waiting for a chance to break into the conversation. He leaned closer to Morgan and Ryder. “It’s a bit daunting.”
    “ That was a very impressive speech,” said Ryder.
    Sam shrugged. “I’ve given it a few times before. It just needed a little update.” He turned to Morgan. “How are you enjoying Pasadena?”
    “It’s great,” Morgan answered, meaning it. He liked the town. He liked Caltech. And he very much liked his colleagues.
    “Met anyone interesting?” asked Sam.
    “The other researchers, like Ryder, have been very welcoming. We’ve had numerous opportunities to both hear and share ideas and insights.”
    “That’s good,”