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The last several months, I’ve kept myself busy with teaching and hanging out with my best friend. I still missed Isaac every day, but nearly every afternoon was spent with Lyla. Weekends too. It would be impossible for me to see him again without her finding out, which is why I know he called it off.
So, I mourned the loss of him during the spring and summer. I convinced myself it had been a stupid, selfish fling, and by the beginning of the fall, I told myself it was time to move on.
“I think I’m gonna sign up for a dating app,” I tell Lyla that night after work when we’re sharing a pizza in my kitchen.
“Are you sure?” she asks with her eyebrows raised. “I thought you were looking for more than a fling.”
“I am, but I have to start somewhere. A fling could turn into a spark, a spark into a full-blown wildfire.”
“The wildfire burning into a wedding?” she asks with a smirk.
“Eventually.”
“Ugh, not you too. It’s bad enough I have to listen to Laurel’s endless wedding planning.”
“Her wedding is next month, right?”
Lyla nods. “Thank god. I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“I’m still surprised your dad gave his blessing since the groom is a lot older than Laurel, right?”
“Just eight or nine years. At first, I thought she just started messing with John to annoy my father or hurt her ex-husband. But I think she may actually love the guy, as much as my horrible sister is capable of love.”
“You think this marriage will last longer than her first?”
“No clue. She seems to think so. I don’t get what men see in her.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“And a total bitch!” Lyla adds. “But enough about her. Let’s get back to you. Dating apps, huh?”
“I’m gonna give it a shot. What do I have to lose?”
“Your purse, phone, and car?” Lyla replies with a grin.
“I won’t meet anyone here again, that’s for sure. And I won’t be stupid enough to take my eye off my purse. I’m gonna pick local places to meet, ones I’m familiar with. And maybe even have you keep watch outside.”
“What a sad world it is now, the hoops women have to go through to meet a decent man and avoid getting screwed over by all the losers.”
“No kidding.”
“Good luck,” she says.
“Thanks. I’m going to need it.
* * *
As soon as Lyla leaves that night, I get ready for bed, then climb under the covers with my phone in my hand.
A few questions answered, and I’ve created an account with a short profile and photo. I know there are tons of women on these apps, so I want mine to stand out.
But I wasn’t prepared for my phone to start blowing up within minutes, men liking my profile and sending message requests.
Feeling hopeful, I accepted the first one… “Ew, ew, ew!” I exclaim at the sight of the hairy, saggy balls before blocking the user.
The next message also has a pic that is less hairy but so thick it’s scary. “Dirty bastards!”
“You okay in here?” Brooke asks from where she’s leaning a shoulder against my doorway.
