Pushing aside my feelings of jealousy over all my friends jet-setting across Europe, I clear my throat and add, “Maybe we’ll take Ava to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or something.”
Everyone nods and Roxy says, “That’d be fun.”
I’m quiet for a moment. “Maybe I’ll find a hot Italian man,” I say with a laugh.
Everyone goes silent as they stare at me.
“Are you dating?” Cam asks.
I pull out my phone, go to the dating app, and hold it up.
Roxy and Jocelyn clap their hands. “OMG! Did you set it up yet?” Jocelyn asks.
Shaking my head, I start to open the app.
Jocelyn pulls it from my hand. “Oh no. We need to give your profile some serious thought. I mean, the future Mr. Maxwell is out there,” she says.
Before I know it, everyone is voting on profile pics and trying to decide how I should explain myself.
“How about, hot, sexy mama seeks her daddy,” Piper suggests.
“Or wanna play student for this teacher?” Roxy suggests.
I groan. “Can’t we just say, single mom seeking a responsible life partner?” I urge.
“That sounds a little creepy. What’s that movie? Uh, Single White Female,” Margie says.
“That’s a great movie,” Cam adds.
“No way, you can’t say that,” Jocelyn protests. “You need something catchy. Think of it as marketing yourself.”
“How about, if you like piña coladas and getting drunk in the rain, hit me up,” Cornelia offers.
Cam laughs. “We’ll save that for your profile.”
Jessa cocks her head to one side. “How about an introvert who loves books, her kiddo, and hanging out with close friends seeks someone to bring me out of my shell and help me find a little adventure?”
“That’s actually pretty good,” Cam says.
“I don’t know if I’m an introvert,” I mumble.
Cam giggles. “Carly, you once feigned a cold to get out of going to a popular movie because, and I quote, the theater will be packed with people, and I might be forced to speak with them.”
Sighing, I nod for her to write Jessa’s suggestion.
She does, and then her finger hovers over the submit button. “Are we doing this?”
I close my eyes and breathe. “Yes,” I squeak.
I open one eye. “OK, time to swipe right,” she says. And just like that, I’m back in the dating world. Only, I’m not sure how I feel about it.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Bray
“Unca Bray! Come look!” Ava screams from her room. I’m busy making a pasta dish. I wipe my hands on a towel and hurry into her room.
“What’s up, Peanut?” I ask as I walk inside and then freeze.
