Page 107 of My So-Called Perfect Life

“Hi, Steven.” I try to contain my urge to run away. “I’m Danielle.”

“Welcome, everyone,” a woman dressed in a black maxi dress addresses the room.

While she’s speaking, I take a minute to check out Steven. He has longish, wild dirty-blond hair. His T-shirt, complete with a cat, looks a size too small and like he pulled it from the bottom of his hamper. If this is how he dresses to make a first impression, I’d hate to see what happens when he’s not trying.

Pulling my attention from his shirt, I focus on the instructions.

“You’ll have seven minutes with each person. The questions in the back of the booklet are great icebreakers, so don’t hesitate to try them out. When the bell sounds, that means it’s time to head to the next table. Follow the numbers in sequential order.”

Steven turns his attention back to me and smiles. “Have you done one of these before?”

I shake my head. “No, this is my first one. You?”

He nods. “I’ve done a few.”

There’s an awkward moment of silence, so I glance down at the page of questions and ask the first one my eyes settle on, “What do you like to do for fun?”

He smiles big as if this is his favorite question. “I love video games. I have my own YouTube channel where you can watch me play.”

Oh, dear God! I know video games and YouTube are popular right now, and everyone wants to grow up to be an influencer or strike it big, but that’s so not what I’d ever be looking for. “That’s nice.”

“It’s great. I’m lucky enough to be able to have turned my passion into a career.”

Say what now? “Career?”

“Yes,” he says excitedly. “My following is pretty decent, and I was able to quit my job as a bike messenger.”

What am I supposed to say to that? “Wow.”

“Uh-huh,” he continues. “It’s been amazing.”

Well, now, what the hell am I supposed to say?“I’m guessing from your shirt, you like cats?” I ask, going with the first thing that popped into my mind.

He looks down as if he forgot he had a cat on his shirt. “Oh, yeah. I guess. This is Misty, my cat. Well, she’s my mom’s cat, but she’s always working, so basically, Misty hangs with me.”

This just keeps getting better. “You live with your mom?”

He proudly nods. “Yeah, we’re really close. It’s been just the two of us since my dad left a while back. I don’t feel right, leaving her on her own.”

More like you don’t want to grow up and get a real job, so you can’t leave her.

“That’s so sweet of you.” I try to get the words out without choking on them.

Thankfully, the bell rings, and we have to switch tables.

“Nice meeting you, Steven.” The words contain way too much glee as he leaves the table.

Thank you, next.I order a drink just as the next man takes a seat. I have a feeling I’m going to need several of them before the night is done.

This guy seems okay. At least his clothing looks clean and pressed.

I listen as he speaks. His name is Josh. He’s originally from Indiana and moved to the city last year. Josh seems boring to be honest. Not that it matters to me. He could be the most interesting man in the world but he’s still not Ryan so it’s irrelevant.

The bell dings.Next!

Another guy. Another drink.

A new guy sits across from me. He’s attractive. He has green eyes and a nice smile as he greets me. “Hi, I’m Patrick.”