‘Well, I’m looking to getmarried,’ another Hannah says a little haughtily, a Bristolian lilt to herrs.
I guess Whit’s relaxed attitude didn’t land well with everyone. Before anything can escalate, I say, ‘I’m looking for stability, and someone who is good to me. I’m open to who they are as a person.’
This gets a few nods. Dolly gives me an approving wink.
‘I don’t think I knowwhatI want. Dating is so hard. I never feel like we’re on the same page,’ says Lina. She has the softest voice I’ve ever heard in my life. I could curl up inside it. Earlier, I heard her mention she teaches Pilates and I have no idea how anyone stays awake in her classes.
‘But you want to get married, right?’ asks Bridget.
‘Yes, of course. And I feel like I’m upfront with men about that, but then we get to date four, and I find out it’s casual.’
Everyone in the room groans.
‘Isn’t it always,’ sighs Dolly, shaking her head. I wonder what she’s been through. And everyone else of course, but as my roommate, I want to be able to support her.
‘Or they say they’re being honest about what they want, but you don’t find out the truth until you are six months in and falling for him,’ Priya says.
Lina shivers like something crossed her grave.
‘The number of men who’ve said they want kids when they don’t,’ whispers Bridget. She sounds so small and sad that I grab her hand and squeeze. She squeezes back.
‘Basically, we’re all looking for men, not boys,’ says Dolly, and everyone cheers our empty bronze cups together.
This seems to snap Bridget back to herself. ‘What’s everyone’s type?’
I knew this would come up eventually. Unfortunately, I truly do not know what my type is. My high school to university boyfriend Mikey was a sweet little blond guy with a-mouse-from-a-Pixar-film vibes. He’s been my only relationship, and all the other men I’ve dated had little in common looks-wise. They were all nice, though! I’m not convinced not knowing my type is why I’ve yet to have a life-altering connection. Maybe looks aren’t that important for me?
I’m surrounded by women professing variations on ‘tall, dark and handsome’ so I guess looks do matter. I can’t fault their taste; I’m not immune to the charms of any Mr Darcy (and I sit firmly in the camp that both adaptations ofPride and Prejudiceare good in their own ways). But does that mean my type is also a tall brunette white man? I don’t really know.
‘I love a tall man,’ sighs Bridget. ‘Six foot? Yes please.’
‘Yeah, but is he actually fit, or just far away?’ says Whit.
‘Oh, babes,’ Bridget says wistfully, her voice low and throaty. ‘I’ve had a few just far aways in my time.’
Whit pokes Dolly in the leg. ‘What about you?’
‘I’m more attracted to personality,’ she says.
I’m so relieved that someone feels the same as me that I hardly notice when everyone groans.
‘That’s a copout,’ grumbles Bridget.
‘It’s not,’ Dolly insists. ‘And I’m not saying I’m a sapiosexual—’
The final Hannah gasps and looks at everyone nervously. ‘Dolly, I don’t think you can say that word.’
There’s a moment of confusion while everyone reassures her that it’s not a slur.
Bridget giggles. ‘And I thought it meant you fancied chimpanzees.’
‘King Kong’s a bit much for me,’ Dolly says and I resist the urge to point out he’s actually the last of a species of gigantic gorilla-like apes. Mikey had a real thing for B-movies.
‘Don’t get me wrong,’ Dolly continues. ‘I want to feel that spark and snog their face off, but I think it’s not always the only type of attraction for me. Like it could be charisma or charm or humour instead.’
No one else seems on her wavelength, so I find myself saying, ‘I feel the same, Dolly.’
She gives me a big warm smile. ‘See, Carys and I are just more enlightened than the rest of you,’ she says jokingly, and everyone laughs. ‘I am just teasing, I promise. Here’s to hot husbands for us all.’
