I examined my gift—an iPod—and said, “Thank you,” determining to be extra pleasant during brunch.

We both ordered eggs, and by the time our food arrived I had grown to like Charlie. For starters, he provided an earnest explanation for joining Seeking Arrangement.

“I can’t separate the fact that I have resources from who I am,” he said. “It’s part of me. And it’s something I have to offer twentysomethings.”

“I completely agree.”

“I married young, you know. And I remained married for nearly 30 years while I was raising my kids.”

“How old are they?”

He chuckled before admitting, “It’s kind of weird. They’re your age.”

“It’s not weird at all,” I said.

Charlie turned to Seeking Arrangement, he explained, because most of the women he had been meeting wanted to settle down. “I don’t want another family,” he said.

“I promise you I’m not in the market for one,” I told him, and then asked, “Have you ever done this before?”