Page 65 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 1

SPENCER CLINE

As I pulled into the parking garage, I once again asked myself what the fuck I was doing. Having just turned thirty-three, I’d realized how little I wanted to go out for a night at the clubs, and how much I wanted to meet someone who wanted to spend a quiet night at home.

After driving around each level I finally found an empty space on the fourth floor then, after parking and checking my hair in the mirror, I chuckled at myself and followed the signs for the elevator. More people entered on each floor and by the time the doors opened to the street, the elevator was full.

“Are you going to the singles mixer?” a man about my age asked. He was taller than me wearing a black tux, same as me, with dark hair slicked back on the top and cut short on the sides. His eyes were dark brown and held more warmth than I could ever describe.

“Yeah, how about you?” I asked, and when he grinned, I noticed a dimple in his left cheek.

“My sister bought me a ticket. She said she’s sick of me being at home or work all the time,” he said and laughed. “She’s also my roommate.”

“Spencer Cline,” I said and held out my hand.

“Oh, sorry, I’m Jake Raines.” He took my hand and shook it. His was amazingly warm for how cold out it was.

“Have you been to this before?” I asked and tried to ignore the feeling of insecurity that hit me.

“The mixer? No. I have friends who have gone in the past and loved it. Both of them met their partners here, so I know it works. Have you?”

“I went last year, but it was a little overwhelming. I’m hoping since I know what to expect I’ll be able to enjoy it more this year.” I hadn’t meant to say it, but it was the truth. I’d gone alone, not knowing how it worked, or how many would attend. It was packed and most everyone seemed to have attended before, so they were somewhat prepared, while I stood to the side and watched. Not this year.

“Some videos I saw online showed it really was crowded. Hopefully there’s a lot of people and everyone is in a very festive mood,” he said and flashed that dimple again.

We hurried across the street to the hotel and stood in line with a big crowd of other attendees. This mixer was for anyone who wanted to meet their other half. We’d all answered a questionnaire online that would make sure we were in groups with the same interests and relationship goals. It was all very scientific, and hopefully not a complete waste of time.

“Ticket?” a woman at the door asked. After we both showed her the tickets on our phones we were ushered inside. “You’ll want to go to the main ballroom.”

“Thank you,” I said, and Jake grinned at me.

“Mind if we stick together?” he asked.

“Not at all.” I was actually relieved.

“Great, let’s go,” Jake said and led us into the same ballroom the mixer had been held last year. A man stood at the entrance and guided us to a table where we’d get a name tag and a numbered badge.

“You’ll need this for all the mixer activities. Everyone is divided up based on how they filled out their questionnaire, and we keep like people together in their groups in all of the activities,” a man explained as he handed both of them to us. “Don’t lose your number or you won’t be able to participate in the mixer.”

“What number did you get?” I asked Jake as we stepped away with the goodie bag they’d also handed us.

“Ninety-one,” Jake said and tucked his goodie bag into the inside pocket of his jacket. “And you?”

“Thirteen.” Ignoring the fact it was supposed to be bad luck, I glanced at his number. I would have sworn it was sixteen but shrugged it off because eventually we’d find out.

“Gentlemen, right this way,” a woman with short silver hair said, and explained everything to us. “Your number will put you in a group of people with similar tastes. You’ll be invited to participate in as many activities as you’d like. There will be numerous opportunities to chat and get to know several eligible people so don’t get discouraged. Remember it’s all about meeting as many people as you can and finding the one that you want to spend more time with after this evening.”

“Thank you,” Jake said and the two of us moved away from the entrance to where I’d spent most of the evening last year. The room had been divided into four separate areas that surrounded the dance floor. Because people still liked to dance even if they weren’t lucky enough to find love.

In our giftbag was a guide that told us which area to visit first. “It looks like I’m speed dating,” I said and hoped he was too.

“It says Emoji Icebreaker,” Jake said, and reread. “What the heck is that?”

I laughed, making him smile. “I have no clue.”

“Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Sacramento’s annual New Year’s Eve Singles Mixer. The first hour of the event will include several activities guaranteed to let you get a little closer to prospective matches. Now don’t worry if you don’t meet anyone. Once the activities end, there will be music for dancing so there should be plenty of opportunities to meet that special someone. Remember your number, you’ll need it for the activities, and I guess that’s all I need to say. Have fun, everyone,” a man that I recognized from one of the local television stations said into a microphone before turning it off and stepping away.

We stood there a moment longer, neither of us making a move to go to our groups before I finally couldn’t stand it and turned to him. “Well, good luck, Jake. It was great meeting you,” I said and held my hand out. He stared at it before pulling me in for a hug.

“Have fun,” he whispered before turning and walking away into the crowd.

I found the speed dating area and looked around hoping to see Jake again. “Okay we’ll need everyone go take a seat at one of the small tables you see. Once you’re seated, the person in the blue chair will stay at the table while the person in the red chair will move on to the next table. Everyone understand?” another man asked.

I was relieved to see there were no women in our group, not that I didn’t like women, I loved them. But I was as gay as gay could be and it was nice to see I wasn’t the only one who’d filled out their application the way I had. All of us moved into the area that had been set up to look like a small café with tables that were only big enough for two.

“Hello,” a handsome man said as I took a seat at the table he’d just sat at. Okay, maybe this wasn’t so bad.

“Hello, I’m Spencer,” I said and forced myself not to look around again for Jake.