Shoving the filter basket into the machine, I glare at her. “No, I haven’t had any caffeine since Saturday night. Will you listen to me until the coffee’s done?”
“Fine. You applied… wait, you’re not leaving me here alone, are you? You didn’t get a new job somewhere?”
At least I know she still cares as she glares with wide eyes. “No, I applied to be a beta tester for a dating app. It specializes in finding love like in the books. The ad popped up while I was ignoring Decker’s booty call, and I was accepted.”
Taking my phone, she narrows her eyes and scrolls through the app. “A dating app calledFairy Tale? Are you kidding?”
I yank it back from her. She doesn’t get a sneak peek until she’s heard my pitch. “The dating app where you pick your HEA. Yeah. Isn’t it fantastic?”
The pot has filled enough for Mona to swap her mug for the carafe, and she reaches for the creamer and sugar. The reaction is less than stellar—not that I expected much—but she’s really killing my buzz.
“It sounds like the start of aDatelinespecial. I can hear it now:A woman downloads a new dating app to find her Prince Charming and ends up with a notorious serial killer who wines and dines her before slitting her throat.Yeah. Awesome.”
“Can you be any more negative?”
“Yeah, but I’m holding back for you, babe. I think this is a terrible idea, but I know no matter what I say, you’re going to do it anyway.”
Walking back to her desk, I lean against it, my ass barely perched on the edge. “Come on. Can’t you show a little enthusiasm? Some support? I could really use it from my best friend.”
Mona sighs and looks me in the eye. “Okay, first, you knew what you were getting into when you started before I got any coffee. But you’re right. Give me the rundown. What’s so special about this app?”
“You pick dates based on the tropes you like to read in books. They’re all categorized and sub-categorized. For example, there’s aBad Boyscategory, and within that category, the subcategories areBikers, Bullies,andCowboys. If you’re into fake relationship options—which might actually come in handy for my cousin’s wedding at the end of the summer—you can pick that one.”
Taking my phone again, she scrolls. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What?” I ask, bracing for her to find something that will ruin this for me.
The voice in the back of my mind shouts at me, reminding me it said telling Mona wasn’t a good idea.
“Holly, there’s aFantasysection. Vampires, Wizards, Fated Mates, Fae?”
“Yeah, the ones with asterisks are probably ones I’ll skip. There’s a disclaimer that imagination will be necessary. And asmuch as I don’t mindreadingabout vampires and werewolves, I don’t really want to pretend they’re real. I also have no idea what a date with a fake werewolf would be like.”
“Surprise Pregnancy? Reunion?Babe, there are a lot here that require imagination.”
Taking my phone back, I refuse to let her bring me down. This is the most exciting thing to happen to me in ages. “Just you wait. I’m going to have a ring on my finger, and you’ll have to admit in your maid of honor speech at my wedding just how wrong you were.”
“Or… and this is a little more likely… I’m going to be telling everyone I knew this was a horrible idea while delivering the eulogy at your funeral. Because I guarantee there’s a serial killer or two on that app. Don’t think I overlooked theHorrorcategory.”
I hold my phone against my chest like I’m shielding it from her words. “Like anyone will let you speak at my funeral, let alone give the eulogy. You’ll be lucky to be invited at all.”
She surprises me by grabbing my wrists. Her chipped blue polish catches my attention as she squeezes. “You’ll be careful, right?”
“Always,” I say, relieved she’s shifted away from calling me an idiot.
Releasing me, Mona leans back in her seat and sips her coffee. “You know, you could have your own book-trope romance without this ridiculous app, right?”
I narrow my eyes as I try to decipher exactly what she’s baiting me for. “If I could, don’t you think I’d already be in a relationship?”
“Babe, you have a hot, tattooed guy you’ve pined for since you were twelve banging an endless number of women on the other side of your wall.Roommatetrope. Add in the fact he’s your brother’s best friend—that’s another. And he’s very clearlya playboy. You said you wanted a man to reform for you, so what better opportunity than the sexy dude who could give it to you good who lives in your own apartment? Three tropes in one.”
And I regret telling Mona about my crush on Decker in this moment. As much as I’d love to find out just how good his skills are in the bedroom—like he offered and I don’t plan to tell Mona about—I want a Prince Charming. Not a one-night, good time that I have to awkwardly navigate around until my brother comes home. And then kills him.
“I don’t want to be one of many. Never been my thing, no matter how much I’d love to let him scratch the itch that keeps intensifying. I think I’ll stick to my dating app. Plus, if I sleep with Decker, I can’t make you eat your words.”
She rolls her eyes and turns to unlock her desktop. “You know, you’re going to get in trouble if you don’t get back to your desk soon. Tyler’s kind of a stick in the mud. He’ll write you up.”
I wave a hand dismissively. “He and I have an understanding. I get my work done, and he doesn’t hound me. It’s an effective leadership style when it comes to adults.”
