AllFreeNovel
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“Charlie, no guy is going to be interested in going with a virgin. It’s not the commodity it used to be. Guys want girls who are experienced and fun in bed. When I meet the right man, I want to know what I’m doing.”
“Hmm, yeah, I get that.”
“I mean, you weren’t going steady the first time you slept with someone, right?”
Her lips twist. “No. It was at a party. You’re right, I just wanted to get it done.”
“Exactly. The same for me.”
Because I’ve looked after our mother full time since I was sixteen, I’ve been unable to go to university, to have a proper job, or to enter the dating game. I was determined that Charlie would get to have the opportunities I missed out on, which is why, when she finishes her degree, she’s insisting on returning home to help share Mum’s care. It means I might be able to enter the dating game eventually. But when I do, I don’t want to go in blind.
“So you’re not going to tell him today?” she confirms.
“Hell, no. He’ll probably run a mile. I might say something like ‘I haven’t had many one-night stands,’ to show why I’m nervous.” I hesitate. “Can I ask you something personal?”
“Of course, always.”
“Did you… um… bleed the first time?”
“No. Only half of all women do. You use tampons, and ride a bike, right? So I doubt you will either. If you do, and he notices, just tell him it’s the last day of your period or something. Men don’t have a clue about anything like that.” We exchange a smile. “I know you’re not looking for the love of your life,” she says, “but I hope you find someone nice, that you click with. It’ll make it easier.”
“Well, shall we take a look? I’ve only got two nights here to get my leg over, so we might as well get going.”
She laughs. “Yeah, come on, then. Now, remember, swipe left for no. Right for yes.”
“How many times can I do that?”
“I think it’s unlimited. When you’ve both swiped right on each other, you’ll get a match. Then you’ll be able to chat, if you want.”
My stomach flutters with butterflies. “How long do you think it’ll be before I get a match? Maybe I should have done this at home before I came here.” I felt too guilty asking June to look after Mum for more than two nights as her free time is so limited.
“No, you’ll be fine, you’re gorgeous! You’ll definitely get matches soon. Come on, let’s see who’s available.”
I look at the first contender. He’s wearing a baseball cap and posing in a gym.
“Left,” Charlie says.
“Let me read his bio.”
“He’s flexing, for Christ’s sake.”
“I’m not averse to a few muscles.”
“Alice, you have an IQ of 130. He lists his interests as beer and rugby.”
“I like beer and rugby. I don’t need him to write an essay.”
“Yeah, but it would be nice to choose someone who didn’t sign his name by holding a pen in his fist and making an X.”
“Aw, don’t be mean. He won’t know if I swipe left, will he? I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
She laughs. “No, he won’t know. You’re so sweet.”
Guiltily, I swipe left. “This feels awfully shallow.”
“It’s the same as what we do face to face, just condensed into a few seconds. We all know with one look whether we’re attracted to someone. No,” she says, looking at the next guy, “left.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
