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Jayne’s lips draw in slightly. “Sure, I’ll be right back, Stalia.” She walks toward the bar behind Jeb, folds her arms, and they look like they are having an intense conversation.
I wonder what they’re discussing until a chipper-looking woman walks over to me and asks, “Are you here for date night?”
“Yes, I am,” I say, smiling at her. “I guess it’s obvious since I’m dressed like I’m about to be put on display, huh?”
She laughs. “No, you’re fine. Everyone dresses up for these events. Well, at least those who are serious about finding someone.” She hands me five dating scorecards that read Heart Match at the top. She explains there is space enough to rate two men on each card. I’m to hold the cards until the end to see who I’m most compatible with. Then, I’ll turn them in, and they will rate them and determine my “Heart Match” from tonight’s event, then email it to me along with my match’s contact information. The hostess also hands me a registration form she wants me to fill out and return to her before the event begins.
Wow. This is like filling out an application to get a man. I can’t believe people actually do this, but more importantly, I can’t believe I’m about to do this. I look around the room. There are only eight men, and five of them are white. The three black men are so far off from the description I gave Mom that it would be pointless for me to waste time writing what I want on this form.
“Come on, girl. Let’s fill this out,” Jayne says, returning from the bar with Jeb, pulling me by the arm toward the lounge area, which has been transformed into the speed date room.
“Uh, I think we should go,” I tell her. “I’m not feeling it anymore.”
Her eyes scan the room. “Come on, these men look good, and they look like they have some money!”
“How do you look like you have some money? Most people who look like it spent all of their money on the look.”
“Stalia, I see why you’re single. You out here quoting Uncle James. You should have let your hair down so you can relax.”
“Whatever.” I look at the men seated on one side of the room. None of them are my type. “I am relaxed. I’m just not feeling this.”
Jayne ignores me and starts filling out her form.
“What was that about with Jeb anyway? Every time you mentioned finding a man tonight, he looked uncomfortable. Then, you two looked like you were in a deep conversation at the bar, and who is Xander?” I inquire.
“Uh, Xander is m
y ‘little situation,’ but I’m not worried about him right now.” Her eyes survey the room. “Xander is where he wants to be, and it’s not here with me. So, while I’m here in the company of a roomful of men looking for love, I’m single and ready to mingle.”
“It’s okay. I tell you everything, but be that way,” I tease her.
“Right now, I’m really trying to figure it out, so there is nothing to report.”
“Well, whether you’re ready to admit it or not, I can tell you like him a lot.”
“It doesn’t matter how I feel; he’s just a friend.”
“You may only be friends, but it’s deep for you, so be aware of how you feel and don’t play yourself.”
“Stalia, you’re reading too much into this. Xander and I are just two grown-ass people who are still playing video games and talking about what we want out of life. Now, as far as this speed date night, I’m here to find a man to take care of my needs,” she says, but there is something hidden in her words. She is playing down the way she feels for Xander. I’m not sure if she believes she wants to find another man, or if she’s just saying something out of spite.
“Uh-huh. I’ll drop it for now.” I sit quietly, looking at Jayne. She can say what she wants, but her “little situation” is much bigger than she admits.
Eventually, the hostess comes back by and stops at our table. “Are you ladies finished filling out the registration form?” she asks.
“Done!” Jayne excitedly hands her paper to her.
“Doing it now.”
I start filling in my name and contact information, along with my ideal mate’s profile—black male between the height of six feet and six feet four, dark-smooth skin, muscular arms and thighs, washboard abs, college professor, nice car, nice house, no kids, outgoing, funny, witty, short haircut, preferably with dark silky waves, dimpled cheeks, well endowed…and the list goes on. My descriptive profile boxes me into a distinct part of the population that’s probably unrealistic for me to connect with in the unreasonable amount of time I have left to find him. I’m screwed.
At least, that’s what I think until he walks right through the club’s doors and his eyes land on mine. He stares at me the same way he did when I first met him, as if he’s looking at someone he adores. At Rena’s reception, I had been too distraught to notice this man fits the description of everything I told mom about my phantom boyfriend. He’s everything I want and need right now. I just have to figure out a way to end up with him before tonight is over.
Chapter Six
Omega
I’ll Be There
