Page 20 of The Daddy’s Girl

Amelia: Introduce yourself.

Matis: Okay how about this? Hi. Your picture caught my eye. You are so sexy I’d love to kiss that smile off your face.

My jaw drops as I collapse onto my bed.

Amelia: Matis!

Matis: Too much?

Amelia: YES.

Matis: I was trying to be romantic and seductive.

Amelia: You’re trying to date her, not seduce her.

Matis: Then tell me what to say. I’m bad at this.

I type and delete and type and delete about twenty different responses. Finally, I just drop my phone on the bed and stare at the ceiling. This might be harder than I thought. I want Matis to be himself, but I’m also trying to get him to actually date someone worthwhile.

Amelia: Okay fine. Try this. Bonjour. Your profile caught my eye. I’m new to this app, but you seem like someone I’d like to get to know more.

He reads my text but doesn’t answer right away. Finally, the bubbles pop up before the message.

Matis: Okay, sent.

I smile sadly at the screen. Some lucky bitch somewhere in Paris is going to read this message and think she’s either won the lottery or is being catfished. She has no idea just how good she’s got it.

Matis: You haven’t swiped right on any of those boys without me, have you?

I chuckle as I move to my side, propping my head up on my arm.

Amelia: No. I’ve been talking to my mom since you dropped me off. She was sharing some enlightening stories about you…trying to seduce her. It was deeply unsettling.

Matis: I try to seduce everyone.

Not me.

But I won’t type that part.

Matis: Oh, the woman in blue answered back.

Amelia: What did she say?

Matis: I’d like to get to know you too! Tell me about yourself. Do you live in Paris?

Amelia: This is the easy part. Now you just tell her about yourself.

Matis: This feels so stiff. I don’t like it.

Amelia: You’re just not used to it. What did you say?

Matis: I said yes.

With a laugh, I climb from the bed and go toward the bathroom to get ready for bed. As I walk, grabbing a pair of underwear from the drawer, I type my response.

Amelia: That’s it?

Matis: She asked if I live in Paris, and I said yes. Should I ask her out now?