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“I’ve thought about using it,” Makayla said. “Not now, obviously, since I have a boyfriend. But I love the idea of having an online group picked out just for me, and all of us going out together if we hit it off. It’s so fraught with possibility. Does that make sense?”
“It makes perfect sense.” So much so I had to write her reaction down. Maybe Denver wouldn’t be smart enough to realize how much Makayla was an ideal GoWithFriends customer target, but I wouldn’t make that mistake. FOMO was built into everything she chose, including the cool white to navy ombre pedicure she was sporting tonight. I was getting a little bit of FOMO just looking at it. Not that I would be rushing out to get a pedicure any time soon.
It was one of those things I thought about doing, and then I let the idea go. Kind of like when I passed by a display of cotton candy and then remembered how much lip and tongue gymnastics were required to eat it.
“So, I don’t get how it works.” Jenny picked up a pizza roll and nibbled on it. “You find friends on there? And it also works as a dating app?”
I stretched my legs out while I thought how to explain it. “The app has private chat rooms they place you in, but they don’t let just anyone into them. Everyone is vetted first, and then carefully matched by an algorithm. So, you can fill out an application and never get accepted. It’s why people are dying to hand over their money. It’s a status thing to get in.”
“But what are they paying for?” Jenny asked.
“A subscription, renewed monthly. It lets them meet people within a chat group, make friends, and meet in person on group dates. Plus, the app lets them make reservations for the group, getting them into places they couldn’t otherwise on a busy weekend night.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. “That sounds amazing. Like being single again wouldn’t be the worst thing ever. Except I’m done with being single.” She gave a contented sigh. “Forever.”
Makayla threw a piece of popcorn at her before I could.
“I know, I know. Gushy bride-to-be over here. But for reals, Sadie. I know you’ll be great with something like this. You’re so no-nonsense when it comes to relationships.”
Makayla immediately agreed. “Absolutely. She could be one of those secret BFFs they have.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. “I don’t know what a secret BFF is, but yeah, Sadie would be perfect for that.”
I didn’t get their undying confidence in me. Not that I was a social disaster or anything, but I wasn’t the natural fit they thought I was. More like a lone wolf who occasionally checked in to see how the civilized world was doing and made comments.
Makayla leaned over me to answer Jenny. “A secret BFF is this extra you can add on if you’re afraid of being overlooked, or you’re not the best at conversation. The company will add an employee into the chat group whose sole focus is helping you meet everyone. And they’ll go along on the group date, too.”
Jenny pointed at me. “I like this position for you, Sadie. Like a wingman, right?”
“You two are delirious. I’m not that person, and I definitely don’t want to be besties with anyone using the app. I’m more interested in data and security and finding out how the groups are made. Like what do they do with the completely un-dateable people? The jerks, and liars, and drama queens? Do they boot them eventually to make room for new subscribers? Vetting can’t be a one-time process. You would think they’d have to prune. Often.” I made a snipping motion with my imaginary pruning shears.
“Your confidence in mankind is inspiring.” Jenny got up and stretched her legs and cracked her ankles. She had the crackiest ankles I’d ever heard, poor girl.
“You know me. I’m all about quality control.” I eyed her phone as it buzzed with another incoming text message. “How is Noah?” This was the first girls-only movie night we’d had in a month because her fiancé was usually invited. And it was a good thing he couldn’t come tonight, because it had allowed me to ban Denver, no questions asked.
Jenny gave us a sly smile. “Noah wants to meet up in ten minutes, so, sorry girls, but I’m gonna bail.”
“Loser.” I threw a balled-up napkin at her, but she only laughed.
“A girl’s gotta have her priorities.” Jenny grabbed her purse off the back of a kitchen chair. “One more question about GoWithFriends. Are you always paired off for the group dates?”
“I don’t think so. Some of them are meetups as friends.”
Jenny nodded. “I’d totally prefer that. Make a bunch of guy friends and then make them vet the guy I was actually interested in. They could give me insider information on him. You know what I mean?”
“Um, last year, you had Denver and Noah competing for your attention while claiming they were only your friends. I don’t think guy friends are the best resources for this kind of thing.”
“But you had all guy friends in high school. You wouldn’t want a group like that again?”
“No.” Thankfully, Jenny didn’t ask me to explain. I wasn’t ready to unpack all that. Maybe I’d never be. For now, I was content to keep that mess locked away where I wouldn’t have to think about what a trusting idiot I’d been in high school.
“Well, have fun you two.” Jenny practically skipped out the door.
Yep. So much fun with just the two of us. Without Jenny, it felt weird to sit and watch the rest of the movie with Makayla. All the things I’d said about her to Denver circled in my head, along with the things he’d said back to me.
At least I knew Makayla was unaware of my previous prejudices. She thought it would be so much fun for me and Denver to work together. She’d said so multiple times.
“Are you and Denver serious?” I asked, suddenly curious about her lack of jealousy. Why would she be excited about the thought of me working with her boyfriend?
