Page 44 of The Singles Club

C: It doesn’t matter what you see. It matters what she sees, and that’s how she sees him.

I: Let’s assume in some insane world that what you’re saying is true, you’re forgetting two critical things.

C: What’s that?

I: One, Justin is not interested in Vivian. If he were, he wouldn’t be going on dates. He’s not the game-playing type.

C: He could be in denial, just like her. What’s your second objection?

I: SHE’S MOVING TO PARIS!!!

C: Point taken.

I: Can I sleep now?

C: Lol. Yes. Sorry.

10

Bitter Brunch

Justin

Ilooked down at my watch. Still too early. I rubbed my clammy hands along my slacks. “Circle the block one more time.”

Max looked at me through the rearview mirror. “Are you feeling alright?”

Aside from a parched mouth, cold sweat around my collar, and loss of appetite, I was doing just fine. “It’s been a while since I went on a date, just a little nervous.”

If that wasn’t the understatement of the year.

“What about that woman you took out to dinner in the North End?”

“She’s just a friend.”

“Huh.”

“What?”

Max shrugged. “Seemed a little more than that to me… especially that goodnight kiss.”

“Well, it’s not. Vivian is moving to Paris in less than a month.”

When those words came out, a pain shot in my chest and up my esophagus.

“That sucks.”

Yes. It did. I was really beginning to enjoy her company.

“It’s her dream to go, and she should be happy.”

Max pulled over in front of the theater. “Only five minutes early now. Want to wait and get a look at her first?”

“I saw her picture online.”

Max laughed. “With those image-enhancing apps nowadays, you don’t know what you’re getting until you see the real deal in person.”

That didn’t make me feel any better.