Page 35 of The Singles Club

I glared down at the phone, knowing full well resistance was futile.

V: What makes you think you’re beyond help?

J: I don’t have much luck with dates, and you’re leaving in less than a month. I doubt you could do it, but thank you for the initial offer.

Gritting my teeth, I tapped out a response I knew I would regret later.

V: Give me three weeks, and we’ll find your life partner.

He didn’t respond right away, and I bit my fingernails, something I hadn’t done since I was a teenager.

J: When does my first coaching session begin?

V: Do you have plans tomorrow afternoon?

J: Nothing I can’t switch.

V: I could come over around two. Would that work?

J: It works fine. See you then.

Dammit. What am I getting myself into?

* * *

Complete with perfect bare feet, Levis, and a black oxford with rolled-up sleeves—the top three buttons undone—Justin handed me a glass of club soda with lemon. My calorie-free request. I’d missed the Tabata workout after spending the morning talking with prospective roommates and a few studio options with an agent in France. I had finally narrowed it down to three places, but I had to act soon before someone else took them.

Justin set up his laptop at the dining table, and I slid a chair next to his.

“What are we doing?” he asked.

“Setting up your dating profile.”

“Online dating?” He shook his head. “I’m not doing that.”

“Why?”

“It’s public. The last thing I need is a client seeing it.”

“Well, if a client sees it, then they are doing the exact same thing you are. We’ll make sure it’s a reputable site, not something known for no-strings sexual encounters.”

“Definitely not my thing.” He sipped his club soda.

“Online dating is a lot more acceptable than you think. Give it a try, and if you don’t like it, we’ll delete your profile.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know.”

“Are you hesitant because it’s online dating or because you’re nervous about getting back into the dating scene?”

“Both.”

“Just take a look before you decide.” I pulled up the dating site and played the video selling their service and features. It also included testimonials by couples who had met through the site and ended up getting married. His shoulders seemed to relax a little by the end.

“Seems so… mechanical.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like scanning resumes for a job. I imagined having a better story to tell my kids when they ask how I met and fell in love with their mother.”