I flipped the frustrating hair out of my face as I set my phone on the checkout counter at The Bees Knees.
My stomach had been riding a roller coaster of nausea ever since I purchased the ticket and raffle vouchers three days ago for the Kismet Silvers site. I changed the flyer to remove Kismet Singles and sent them to Mom for a exclusive world travel event from a fake email.
Every day, I wondered if it would be the day she would call, either to invite me to join her or to call and say she hated me and never wanted to talk to me again.
So far still nothing.
I wasn’t sure which option I preferred, although I knew which one I deserved.
I rubbed my forehead with my left hand and tried to force myself to swallow through the lump in my throat as I adjusted my navy blue polka dot top.
This cupid stuff had quickly spiraled out of hand. Once I got an idea, I had always struggled to let go. Part of me begged to stop, but I ignored it anyway. I rubbed my temples and the headache forming there.
The bell sounded over the door, and Jane walked in holding a green smoothie. “Why areyouupset? I’m the one you stood up for a double date on Friday.”
I sighed. “I didn’t stand you up. I told you I wouldn’t be going.” I raised my hands. “How is any of that standing you up?”
Jane waved me off. “Semantics. You knew I wanted you to come.”
“True.” I needed to get busy or Jane would catch on that I had not canceled Mom’s account when I said I did. Since I was little, she could sniff out my lies like a bloodhound. I picked up a jar of the penny candy and went around the counter to try to stock the already full jars. Jane put her hands on the counter behind her and jumped up and sat on it.
“You could have a date this weekend if you used the app for yourself instead of your mom.” Jane eyed me with her brows raised.
“Maybe yes, maybe no.” I moved the jar to my other hand and looked anywhere but Jane’s eyes.
“Has your mom forgiven you yet?” Jane sipped on her weird green drink.
I’d told Jane everything about that night, although I should have mentioned fewer muscles on the boss guy. Time to change the subject. “How’s it going with Finn?”
She pinched her lips. “Not great.” She shook her head. “Sometimes things seem great between us, then he will pretend like hedoesn’t even know me.” She raised her brows. “Don’t go getting any ideas. It’s my turn to set you up. And this time you can’t cancel last minute.”
“Oh. Um, I…” My stomach churned. Could I say no after I set up other people all the time, including her?
Jane raised an eyebrow. “Why not? Not as fun when you’re not the one shooting Cupid’s arrow?” She frowned. “Or do you not trust my judgement to get you a date?”
I rolled my eyes and put the jar of green apple sugar sticks back. “You can always find a date. The problem is they might expect your friends to look like you.” I nodded to Jane. She was the modern man’s dream—lean muscle, health fanatic, modern fashion, tan clear skin, and legs for days.
“What does that mean?” Jane spun around to face me on the other side of the counter as she finished her green smoothie.
“Oh, come on.” I gestured toward her and then to me. “We aren’t exactly the same pants size.” I didn’t mind my comfort curves, but I didn’t want to be in direct comparison with her either.
She shook her head. “You’re gorgeous, Em. If they don’t see it, it’s on them.”
“I didn’t say it wouldn’t be, but also…” I flinched and grabbed the assorted flavored honey and went around the counter. “I don’t blind date well. I’m more of an acquired taste, but then people’s taste buds seem to change.”
“It would help if you didn’t expect your dates to appear in black and white.” Jane hopped off the counter and threw away her paper cup.
“I don’t expect them to be from the 1950s.” I rolled my eyes. “I would also be okay with the 1920s.” I grinned.
Jane grabbed a jar of hard candies and set it on the counter. I traded her the honey sticks, and she picked them up, setting them back on the shelf. “I’m serious, Em. You will never find love if you don’t stop running.”
I nodded in acknowledgment. “Fair.”
Jane straightened the jars on the shelf so the labels faced forward, and then she turned to look at me, her thin frame full of frustration. “Why won’t you at least try?”
I sighed and raised a shoulder. “Finding a good fit with dating just feels impossible sometimes.”
She put her hands on her hips. “What does Audrey Hepburn say about something being impossible?” She waited.
