Or the gorgeous supermodel who happens to be a size two.
I should know.
I’m the one who’s always optimistic when it comes to relationships—never shy about my feelings. I want a forever kind of love and am upfront about it. Not to say I hit a guy over the head with wedding talk on our first date, but I don’t like games and am terrible at playing hard to get.
My downfall, apparently.
Along with your shortness paired with an overabundance of curves.
At least, I assume that’s my other issue since I don’t have many date offers in the first place. Sighing, I stare up at my ceiling and contemplate the sad state of my love life right now.
A plaintive meow follows a furry paw swatting my stomach. Carrot whines again, desperate for his breakfast, and an unwilling smile tugs at my mouth. No time for pity parties when you have a starving cat on your hands.
“Alright, alright, I hear you… Let’s get you fed.” Whipping my covers off, I roll to a sitting position as Carrot hops down to the floor and races out the door, no doubt heading for his food bowl in the kitchen. My e-reader lays haphazardly on the edge of the mattress, and I snatch it up before it can fall, carefully placing it on my nightstand.
I’ll read more later when I’m not in such a mood. When the heroine’s antics won’t bother me so much and I’ll just be happy a girl like me finds love—even if itisin a fictional world.
“Dude, if I trip and die, you definitely won’t be eating anytime soon.” Because who knows when someone will come searching for me?
Okay, so my boss and friend, Shannon, will probably call when I don’t show up for work, but still, it’s the principle of the thing. A single woman living alone with her cat isn’t as comforting as say a married woman living with herhusbandand cat, living with another human who can assist when said woman falls flat on her face. Unfortunately, logistics don’t deter Carrot from winding between my legs as if it’ll make me pour his food any faster.
Once the last piece of kibble clanks against the bowl, I lower it to the floor and start gathering my own breakfast: cold brew coffee with creamer and s’mores pop tarts. Because I’m classy and super healthy like that. My toaster glows red as it heats thetwo rectangles of deliciousness, and I lean against the counter to wait for them to finish, my gaze catching on the calendar hanging on the side of my fridge.
It’s almost February.
A month meant for love, and one of the biggest times of the year for Suitor’s Crossing. This town is known for its legend surrounding soul mates or as we like to call them,heart sparks.
There’s a bridge where couples would go courting orsparkin’back in the day, and every single one of them knew the other was theirheart sparkby the end of their journey across the bridge, which is where the myth originated. The town even built a replica bridge for visitors to cross when they enter Suitor’s Crossing to play up our special legacy of love.
“If only it were that easy…” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve traveled over that bridge, yet here I am with no soul mate in sight.
Ping!
The notification bar appears on my phone indicating a match on the dating app I joined yesterday when I promised myself I wouldn’t be alone again for Valentine’s Day. “That was fast…” Hope blooms in my belly as the app opens to reveal a message from my mystery match.
FORGEDBYFIRE:Hey, TheCarrotsMeow! Looks like we’re a match. To be totally honest, I haven’t had much luck on here so far, but if you’re willing to meet, maybe my streak of bad luck will turn. P.S. What does your name mean? I can’t decide if you really love carrots or what? LOL
I grin and type out an explanation about my orange tabby while agreeing to a date. Usually, I prefer more conversation before jumping to meeting in person with a stranger, but he seems burnt out on the app. Might as well skip the niceties and get straight to the point of seeing if we’re a good fit or not,especially since part of the app’s charm is allowing users to not judge someone by their pictures.
It’s meant to embody the true meaning of a blind date and to help local townspeople potentially find love where they never expected. Especially since Suitor’s Crossing is a small town, making it difficult to meet someone new or view someone in a romantic light after knowing them for years. The goal of Luna’s app, Suitor’s Sparks, is to provide a solution for that particular problem.
“I should see if she’s managed to use it for herself yet.” Luna’s always been eccentric. With a name based on a Ravenclaw from theHarry Potterseries, it’s hard to escape your destiny, but she’s sweet, smart, and always up for an adventure. Traits that are impossible not to love about her.
Within a half hour, I scarf down my breakfast and dress before driving to Blushing Brides Boutique on Main Street where I’ve absolutely adored working for the past three years. Every bride’s love story is unique and helping them find the perfect dress for their wedding day fulfills my sense of purpose. People might think it’s silly to feel a sense of accomplishment from helping a bride buy a gown that’s only worn one day, but as someone who never knew what she wanted to do with her life, it’s a relief to have finally discovered something I love that complements my skills.
“Morning, Shannon,” I call as I breeze through the back entrance, excited for our first client this morning: my best friend Hannah. Recently engaged after a whirlwind few weeks, she needs a dress equally fast since she and her groom don’t want a prolonged engagement. Can’t say I blame them.
I wouldn’t be opposed to eloping if I found the love of my life so quickly either.
“Good morning! Ready for a new week?” Shannon’s organizing a rack of dresses for Hannah to try when she arrives, and after dropping off my coat and purse, I join her.
“If you’d asked me earlier this morning, I would’ve said ‘hell, no,’ but…”
“But…?”
The doorbell chimes, and I smirk at the timing. “Saved by the bell. Let’s wait for Hannah, so I can tell you both at the same time.” We head toward the front of the store and exchange hellos with Hannah, who also brought Luna with her.
Small town, I think ruefully.
