Page 45 of Your Pace Or Mine

“Hey viewers! Miss Midtown here again after a brief hiatus, and today I want to talk about dating a friend or acquaintance.

“I know what you’re thinking: This account is focused on meeting people online. We’re all here because finding true love in the quote-unquote real world isn’t working out, so we need a bigger pool. But sometimes someone you know pops up in your matches. How do you handle that? I even have a real life example!

“My best friend and her boyfriend were matched on this very app. The trouble was they’d met once in person, and they did not get off on a good foot. He sent her a message anyway, and to make a long story short, they just moved in together.

“For me, if it’s someone I’m not into, I never mention the site to them and hope they’ll do the same. It’s a cone of silence. Sometimes, though, I’m interested, then I wonder if reaching out on a dating app will make things awkward in real life when we see each other. Also, now I know something about them that they might not have shared with me, like their music preferences or their dating history. Or even worse, they lied on their profile and now I’ve seen that they claim to be a doctor when I know they’re actually the receptionist at the doctor’s office.

“So what do you do? I want to know. Have you ever reached out online to someone you knew in real life? How did it go? Has anyone in your everyday life ever mentioned your dating profile to you, and was it weird?”

Comments:

I got matched with my BOSS on a dating app. So awkward. I deleted my account and never went back. Then I started looking for a new job. Some of my bio was very definitely NSFW.

My brother and I saw each other’s profiles. An app matched us and he immediately texted me so we could laugh about it. Then I gave him pointers on how he should update his bio so he doesn’t sound like the most boring person in the world.

I got matched with a colleague. We’d seen each other across the office but never talked since we’re both shy. We’re getting married this summer. Glad I took a chance!

FIFTEEN

SEBASTIAN

Dragging myself out to run with Ashley’s friends is still intimidating the second time. Everyone is friendly in the suspicious way that people who exercise early in the morning are to anyone joining their cult. Ash and I try to sneak in at the last minute to avoid suspicion, or rather that’s how things ended up happening because we didn’t exactly get enough sleep last night. But of course everyone turns to look when we arrive. Laurel gives Ash a smirk, but she doesn’t seem surprised this time.

Before we start out, Ashley promises to stick with me and turn around halfway because I can’t do the whole distance yet. I feel a twinge of guilt that she’s missing her longer run to keep me company, but she invited me knowing there was no way I could run for an hour.

Since my last embarrassing visit to the running group, I’ve been doing a hybrid learn-to-run strategy, adding walking intervals when I’ve hit my limit after a few kilometers. It’s probably a running coach’s nightmare, but it’s working for me. This means I’m able to keep up with Ashley and a couple of her friends for a while, even if I can’t chatter away the whole time like these weirdos. I thought runners were introverts, but these people don’t shut up. It’s kind of nice—wholesome, even—to hear them check in with each other. I can see why Ashley thinks of this crew as practically family.

Ashley chats away with Stevie, who I suspect wants to interrogate me about my intentions. She’s only thwarted by the fact that I can barely string two words together and run at the same time. I smile whenever they look over at me, though it probably looks more like I’m in pain.

Once we hit three kilometers, Ashley asks if I’m ready to turn around; we leave the rest of the group and start doing walk breaks. She’s so patient, even though I’m sure it’s boring for her. We’re on a walking interval when my phone starts vibrating like crazy with a string of text messages from Seth.

Crap. I hope it’s not another emergency. I come to a halt and my gut clenches wondering if Clint has resurfaced.

Seth:

I was going to call you later, but I couldn’t wait.

This happened last night.

He sends a selfie with Diana. She’s holding up her hand to show the shiny new ring on her finger. Their huge smiles make my heart swell a little, despite not being romantically inclined.

Seth:

I can’t believe it’s real!

I wanted to give you a heads up this week, but with all the drama, there was never a good time.

Congrats, man! Finally! Tell Diana congratulations from me too.

Want to be a groomsman? I promise no turquoise tuxes.

I can’t resist ribbing him a little.

Hold up, the internet tells me you’re supposed to ask me with a monogrammed gift. What am I gonna put on my social media feed?

Kidding, kidding. Of course, bro. It’s an honor.

Sorry, I am out of touch. I will embroider you something later. Thanks a million, Sebastian.