Page 23 of The Prince Who Loved Me

The women shared stories of awful first dates, from a kiss that left the couple connected by a strand of saliva to another who used coupons and requested she order the same dish he did– never mind that there were allergies involved.

“The worst, though.” Paisley gestured with the swizzle straw of her drink. “Is when you put up a recent picture, and they look you up and down and say you look nothing like it. With that look of disgust. As if they hadn’t posted one that was five years old.”

“I understand the need to make yourself seem sexier, more interesting, whatever. I’m willing to get to know the man before making any judgements,” Charlotte said. “Too many of them aren’t willing to give us the same courtesy.”

“Or they make snap judgements about you based on how you look without wanting to get to know you,” Brandi said.

Brandi basked in the camaraderie. She loved her cousin, but Wendy had Rob. And she had been so driven that she had ignored men for much of her life. Jordan had been more adventurous, but now she had Josh. How weird was it that Brandi, who had never been without man, was now all alone?

Crumbs. That’s what having self respect did for you.

Sebastien understood, having been judged on his looks and station in life as well. How many magazines had called him the partying prince? Granted, he played in to the stereotype, but he hadn’t had a serious girlfriend in the time she’d known him. Sure, he dated, but no one ever lasted very long.

The tabloids loved him.

“Head’s up.” The bartender straightened her black Valicente’s vest and nudged her chin toward the door. “Cris alert!”

He weaved through the dining area, following the hostess to the same table where they had sat. He even wore the same shirt. “So what happens now?”

“We wait until the woman shows up, scope out what she looks like,” Charlotte said. “Since this is your first time, you can be on Woman Watch. Once we know what she looks like, Paisleyand I will head to the rest room to await your call.”

“Okay.” Brandi raised her water glass in a toast. “Oh, here comes someone now.”

They watched a brown-haired woman weave her way through the tables, stumbling on her high heels. Every so often her hands would raise to her shoulders to pull up her shirt, hiding some of her cleavage. Her hair was pulled back, revealing a round face that echoed her curvy features. She stopped at Cris’s table. He half-rose, shook his head. She moved on to another single man who smiled when she approached.

“False alarm,” Paisley said.

“Oh.” Charlotte sat up straighter. “I just remembered. I found a new dating site.”

Paisley and the bartender groaned.

“What?” Brandi asked. “Aren’t new sites good?”

“Charlotte is the brave one and the guinea pig in our search to find our mushpuppies,” Paisley said. “She’s found more duds than winners.”

“Mushpuppies?”

“You know.” Paisley waved her hand. “The nickname you give the one you love. Like, Schnookie. Or Crumpet.”

Likemon ange, what Sebastien always called her. Or hismon canetonfor Wendy, and Jordan’sma choupette.

“At least I’m brave enough to try these sites.” Charlotte held out her empty glass, and the bartender filled it up. “This site has a catch.”

“Color me intrigued,” Paisley said.

“You’re not allowed to post pictures of yourself.”

“Wow. Really? So you’re going in blind?” This was exactly what Brandi had been looking for. She’d relied on her looks for far too long. To put her personality out there instead was a real test. “Have you tried it yet?”

Charlotte shook her head. “I’m weighing the pros andcons.”

She sounded like Wendy. “I’ll take the plunge. Sign me up.”

The other two looked at her in silence. “Are you sure?” Charlotte asked. “You’re kinda new at this dating thing.”

“But I’m not new at being judged on my looks. In fact, this sounds rather exciting.”

“Here comes another woman,” Charlotte said.