Page 41 of The Singles Club

Not so good.

* * *

Vivian

“Wait a minute.” Isabella held up her hands in disbelief. “You got Justin Cooper—myboss who hasn’t been on a date in two years—to go on a dating site?”

I sipped my newest drink, a Moscow mule. Stronger than wine, and I needed it after all that dopamine and whatever other chemicals that were taunting me after I left Justin’s place. “Yup.”

“That wasn’t all she did,” Crystal added nonchalantly.

Isabella gave me the what-the-hell-did-you-do glare.

“Well, it’s been a while since his last date, so I sort of coached him on the whole goodnight process, and…we accidentally… may have kissed?”

Isabella pursed her lips. “How do youaccidentallykiss?”

“I didn’t mean to… it just sort of happened, but it won’t happen again. I can assure you of that.”

“Does he know it won’t happen again?”

“Yes. Do you really think Justin would agree to me helping him with all this if he didn’t?”

“So, how was it?” Crystal swirled her straw around in her drink.

“What?”

“Thekiss.”

“No,” Isabella shook her head. “I have to work with that man and keep a straight face, so I really don’t want to hear about his kissing abilities or anything else you mayaccidentallydo with each other.”

“Let’s take a vote.” Crystal said. “Who wants to hear more about Vivian and Justin’s accidental kiss?” Crystal nodded to Becky, who instantly raised her hand along with her. “Sorry Iz, but you’re outvoted.” Crystal turned to me. “Now spill it.”

“Well, I vote with Isabella not to talk about it, so we’re moving on from this topic of conversation.” I gulped down more of my drink.

Isabella stared at me for a moment. “I think I’m going to change my vote.”

“Yes!” Crystal wiggled in her seat as if preparing for gossip.

Isabella leaned forward in her chair. “I do have one question.”

I groaned. “What?”

“I know you don’t believe in love… but do you find him attractive?”

I nodded.

She dissected me with her eyes as if trying to penetrate my inner thoughts. “What about lust?”

I tugged at my necklace. “Can we not talk about this right now?”

Crystal laughed deviously. “Oh, she definitely wants him.”

“So why aren’t you making the moves on him?” Isabella asked.

I looked over at Becky, who had been swinging her head between the three of us and seemed to be enjoying this immensely. I doubted I was going to get any help from her.

I shrugged, tracing my finger along my glass. “Because he’s a Jimmy Stewart.”