Page 7 of The Singles Club

She shrugged. “Well, what if he’s gay?”

Crystal snorted out a laugh.

“You’re crushing on a gay guy?” I asked.

Becky’s eyes widened. “Oh, please don’t misunderstand… I’m not crushing on anyone right now. I’m just kind of a research nerd. I know that you helped Pam with the UPS driver, and Brie from design with her ex, and then Kyana over in IT… The rumors are starting to fly around now.” She sipped her wine. “I’m very curious about how your whole theory works and how you test it.”

After ordering my drink, I started to explain the whole biological science behind our feelings of love in terms of lust, attraction, and attachment.

“I get the whole concept of our body’s chemical reactions, but I’m not sure I understand how you came to believe thatanyonecan get the person they desire. I mean, unrequited love is really a thing. Some people are attracted, and some aren’t.”

“Because love and attraction are all in the mind. It isn’t some magical soul thing where two people are meant to be.”

“Wait, are you saying being gay is all in the mind? Or genetic?”

Crystal mockingly leaned closer with elbow on the table and fist supporting her chin, awaiting my answer.

“My theory isn’t based on one’s sexuality and how they identify themselves… it’s more the premise that love—as we understand it—doesn’t exist. Attraction and thefeelingof being in love are all psychological and chemical.”

“So, if a straight woman was in love with a gay man, then she really couldn’t get him, right?”

“There are plenty of straight women and gay men who experience love together… but probably not lust. They form an attachment bond, sometimes even attraction.”

Becky took a sip of her wine, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. “You believe that any heterosexual woman can get any hetero man she chooses?”

“That’s what I believe, but there are certain conditions.”

“Such as?”

“You must have an open line of communication, or at least the ability to communicate. Whether it’s an online chat room, emails, someone who delivers packages to your office on a regular basis… The more you are in contact with that person, the better.”

“What else?” Becky was eager and listening intently while Isabella and Crystal looked bored over hearing this more times than they’d probably care to count.

“Listen, we’ll have lunch or coffee sometime, and I’ll explain it. These two aren’t into it.”

“No, please, go on,” Crystal said as she eyed Isabella. They both smiled like they were scheming something.

“The second thing… physical attraction. It’s much easier if that is there from the start, but it’s not a necessity. People are attracted to confidence and charisma as well. And then there is the whole mind connection thing that eventually can develop into attraction… if played the right way.”

Becky sat up straighter in excitement. “Listen, I write this blog, and I’d love to quote your theory and get more info.”

She was a writer?

“What’s the blog about?” I asked.

“Anything that interests me, really. I call itRamblings and Research.”

My experience with tabloids after my breakup with Lucas left a sour taste in my mouth. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to get involved with this publicly. “I’ll think about it.”

“Great.” She chewed her bottom lip. “Um, I did have one more question… off the record.”

“What is it?”

“Say you’re in the friend zone with someone, how would you fix that?” By the look in her eyes, I could tell this was precisely her issue. She was in love with someone who saw her as only a friend.

“When you say ‘friend zone,’ do you mean they once had a relationship and continued as friends, or started out as friends and nothing more?”

“Friends and nothing more.”