Page 51 of The Singles Club

I turned to her, feeling my face grow hot. “She felt me up.”

A hand went to Vivian’s mouth as if in shock. “No way!”

“Since I wasn’t expecting it, I jumped from my seat, knocking popcorn all over her, and when I tried to help, her soda landed right in her lap. And that’s how our date came to an end.”

Spurts of laughter spilled out of her.

“It’s not funny.”

“I know, it’s wrong that she grabbed you, but…” she laughed again, trying to stop, “all I can picture is your face and the soda landing in her lap.” She was laughing almost uncontrollably now. “I’m sorry.”

I couldn’t help but give in. From a distance, it was funny. I smirked. “I’m glad my bad luck amuses you.”

She playfully nudged me. “You don’t have bad luck. She deserved that. Most women aren’t so forward, so you should have better luck on your next date.”

My heart sunk at her words. “I’m not sure I really want to have a next one.”

“Because of her?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

It’s complicated.

“Let’s watch the movie, okay?”

“Okay, but we’ll continue this conversation later. I told you we would find your life partner in three weeks, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

I pressed play, wanting to change the subject. “Do you want popcorn or something to munch on?”

“No, I don’t like to eat during a movie.” She hopped on the couch as the previews started. “Too noisy. I like to immerse myself in a story without distractions. But I wouldn’t mind a club soda.”

Huh.

I paused the movie and got us both drinks. I handed Vivian the glass, and she looked down at it thoughtfully for a moment. “You said you were great with relationships.”

I sat down, placing my soda on the side table. “Yes.”

“What’s the secret?”

Setting the remote aside, I turned to face her. “You want to know how to have a successful relationship?”

Vivian nodded. “I’m curious, yes.”

An idea that made me sweat a little tumbled in my mind. I grabbed my drink and nearly downed half the glass. “I’ll make a deal with you,” I said, my throat growing tighter.

She slipped off her heels and sat cross-legged to face me. I don’t know why that action alone warmed me, but it did.

“I’ll continue to let you be my dating coach,” I said, “if you let me be your relationship coach.”

She dipped her chin, skepticism hanging in her eyes. “A relationship coach?”

“Yup.”

“And you have some brilliant method that will miraculously cure me from a string of bad relationships?”

“And you have some brilliant method that will miraculously cure me from a string of bad dates?”