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“Early twenties? Why? They shouldn’t need to be dating online.”
“I know. They should just be out there having fun. Anyway, I pretty much figured he wanted a MILF.”
“Didn’t take you for a cougar, Maya!” Emma nudged her shoulder.
“He swore blind it wasn’t about the sex, but then he went on to talk about nothing but sex, asking if I’d want to try something younger.” Maya rolled her eyes and Emma chuckled. “Honestly. Some of them think that because I’m approaching forty, I must be desperate!”
Some men who’d messaged looked older than Maya’s father. She knew looks weren’t everything, but there had to be something — that twinkle in their eye, or the dimple in their chin. She wanted a man who looked after himself and took some pride in his appearance. At least Kyle did do that — maybe a bit too much. Maybe she was being too choosy, but she didn’t want to settle for second best.
Why did Sam just pop into her head?
“Another coffee?” Emma packed away the bowls and brushes, then switched the kettle on.
“Yes, please.”
“So, any other dates on the horizon?” Emma came into the dining room, where Maya sat with her head full of foils. She held two steaming mugs of coffee and a packet of Oreo biscuits.
“I’m now chatting with a guy called Pierce. I haven’t met him yet.”
“Will you?”
“If he asks.” Maya smiled coyly. She may have been the first to message, but the traditionalist in her wanted the guy to ask her out on a date.
“That’s my girl.” Emma raised her coffee mug as if toasting.
“I’m hoping he’ll ask me out this weekend, as the kids are staying with Mum and Dad.”
Pierce had been quite flirtatious with Maya. They hadn’t swapped phone numbers yet, but it would only be a matter of time. His photos showed he was attractive — more attractive than the others she’d dated. But she did fear the chemistry still might not be there, or his appearance in his photos wouldn’t be the same in the flesh.
After Maya’s foils had been removed, her hair washed through, cut and blow-dried, she set about giving Emma a luxury manicure.
“Have you got any pictures of this Pierce, then?” Emma asked as Maya placed her fingertips under the UV lamp to dry her first coat of gel nail polish.
Maya thumbed through the photos on Pierce’s profile. Emma nodded approvingly.
“He’s a couple of years younger than you,” Emma said. “Looks handsome.”
“Yes, as long as they’re not old photos.”
Emma handed Maya’s phone back. “Hmmm… Does he have any children?”
“His profile says no, but he’s undecided about children…”
“It probably means he’s keeping his options open. Would you want any more?”
Without hesitating, Maya shook her head again more assertively. “No, definitely not.” This morning’s squabbles and the stress of the school run came to the forefront of her mind. She couldn’t handle that with a new baby in tow.
“Well, a date is a date. You’ve got to meet him —”
“If he asks me.”
“He’ll ask you. He’d be a fool if he doesn’t,” Emma said. “Just make sure you send him a picture of you with your new hair. In fact, let me take a photo of you now.”
Later that evening, with the kids asleep, Maya made herself comfortable on the sofa, her laptop perched on her thighs and a mug of herbal tea within reach on the coffee table. She updated her profile, removing an older photo, and put up the one Emma had taken of her earlier. Then she checked her messages.
Pierce (PJWard14) had left another message asking what she was up to. She could see he was online and decided to reply: I’m in my PJs and chilling. I’m so rock and roll. (But it is only Wednesday).
Are they sexy PJs? Pierce messaged back immediately.
