Page 37 of The Singles Club

V: Yes, but it’s complicated. I’m sort of coaching him.

C: LMAO. Oh, I want details tonight.

V: I’m not so sure Isabella will want them.

C: She’ll have to deal. This is too good.

V: I’ll see you tonight.

“I’m finished.” Justin picked up his laptop and headed over to the sofa next to me. “It seems I need a profile picture, but I really don’t have anything recent.”

“That’s alright, we can take one now.” I stood up and looked around the room. “Stand over by the brick wall. In between two of the arched windows.”

“Should I change first?”

My eyes traveled over him, and there really wasn’t anything I wanted to change. “No. You look relaxed and approachable… yet the black shirt makes you seem handsome and mysterious. Maybe even a touch of bad boy.”

He looked down at his shirt. “All that from a black oxford?”

“You look fine, now go over there.” I nodded toward the wall, held up my phone, and tapped the camera icon. The light from the sun was drowning him out. Too bad it wasn’t night. I loved that wall.

“Too bright,” I said and searched the room again. There was a framed picture above the fireplace, behind the dining table. I examined it closer. It wasn’t oil, but what looked to be crayon on paper. My eyes popped when I saw the signature. “That’s a Picasso.”

“Yes. It was never meant to be sold. He gave it to a Mrs. Helene Desfosse in Paris. I won it at an auction a few years ago.”

“Did you buy it for the name, or because of the piece?”

“Both.”

“What drew you to it?”

“Because people will spend an amazing amount of money just for the name. Like your fashion industry. That handbag you won in your bet doesn’t mean all that much until the name Hermès is in front of it. I love helping with startups, people who start small but dream big. That drawing serves as a reminder that the most important thing when I invest is helping them to build a brand.” He smiled. “It also helps that I paid nearly $50,000 to $150,000 less than its estimated value.” He shrugged. “Part of my job is good investments.”

“We can take your picture next to it.”

He winced. “Not the humblest pose.”

“True, but showing off your ability to spend a bit extravagantly on artwork without making it obvious would be a good thing.” I thought for a moment. “Stand in front of the dining room table, and I’ll be sure to get it into view without seeming pretentious.”

I directed Justin to a perfect spot where some of the drawing was cut off, but not the famous signature. I also wanted to get as much of his body in the frame as possible, because it was definitely a selling point. “Now, smile.”

He crossed his arms, and I could see the tightness in his jaw.

“Relax,” I said. “Imagine the very moment when you first realize you’ve found the woman who is perfect for you, and you’re in love.”

He dipped his chin and avoided my eyes, a shy smile forming at the corners of his mouth as he tucked his hands in his jeans’ pockets. I snapped a picture because that moment was too genuine and adorable not to.

“It would help if you faced the camera when you smile like that.” He looked up with more confidence, and I nearly melted at his side-grin. I quickly took the picture, not wanting to miss the moment. I was more than elated that it came out clear and just how I wanted it. “Perfect. This is the one.”

Justin looked down at my phone. “Not bad. Text it to me, and I’ll upload it to the site.”

After that was done, there was only one thing left. “Now we need to do your profile description.”

He rubbed at his shoulder. “I’d rather do that one myself, if you don’t mind.”

“Okay.”

He sat down with the computer on his lap and started typing away. I grabbed my club soda and watched him fade into another world, that same melty smile touching his lips.