“What?”
Char steeples her hands. “Well... there’s this surgery resident who’s always asking me out.”
“You’re making me nervous. What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing! He checks all the boxes . . . good looking . . . nice guy . . . good job.”
“Yes! A thousand times, yes!” I leap up in my excitement and almost knock over the nail polish. “This sounds better than Noah. I’d like to see Darcy turn his nose down at a doctor. Why are you smiling like that?” Char has a supervillain smirk.
“I’m just happy to help. Here.” She pulls out her phone and shows me a photo of a guy with brown hair in a blue button-down shirt. He has kind of a goofy grin, but really, he’s fine. He could even be called cute, if you squint.
“Okay... ? What’s the catch? Why don’t you want to go out with him?”
“I’m just not that interested,” says Char. “In a few weeks, I finish residency and will make enough money to support myself and then some. I don’t need a man.”
“A true disciple of Dr. Debourgh.”
“She has some valid points. I’m in no rush to be some dude’s caretaker.”
“You’re the least romantic person I know.”
“Au contraire, my stance is extremely romantic. I’m not interested in coupling up just because that’s what you’re supposed to do. If I find someone who lights my world, I’ll consider a long-term relationship. But until then, I’m good.”
I respect Charlotte’s point of view, and even though I write romance books, I’d like to think I share it. I’m also determined not to marry unless I’m totally head over heels in love. But... I don’t want to go to this party alone. I can’t explain it. I hate the idea of going to Darcy’s house without a date.
“Well... This guy seems fine for my purposes.”
“Great, I’m texting him now.”
“Tell him he needs to act super in love with me.”
Char shakes her head. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Why?” My roommate looks like she’s trying her best not to laugh at a hilarious joke.
“Charlotte, are you sure this guy’s okay?”
“Colin couldn’t hurt a fly. But trust me, you don’t need me priming him to admire you.”
“Okay,” I say with a growing sense of misgiving.
***
Colin Funkhauser shows up at 4 p.m.sharp. He’s dressed fine. Nothing too embarrassing. He looks just like his picture, maybe even cuter. So far, so good. And then he opens his mouth.
“Lettie, what a pleasure to meet you. You’re hotter than I expected.” Okay, weird compliment, but I can roll with it.
“Thanks.”
“And your hair is so shiny. It looks like you eat enough protein.” Second weird compliment. But honestly, I’ve always been insecure about my hair, so I’ll take it. I catch Charlotte’s face behind me. She’s totally cracking up. I don’t even know what to say. I give my roommate a brief death stare before I turn to Colin.
“Thank you.”
Colin gazes into my eyes. “And did anyone ever tell you that your eyes are the exact color of science?”
“No, Colin, no one has ever said that, surprisingly. Where do you come up with these compliments?”
“Some are off the top of my head. Also, before every date, I spend a few minutes practicing sincere and unique compliments.”
