Page 1 of More Than Just Friends

1

ALICIA

‘Is everything okay?’ A kind voice sounded above me. ‘It’s just that you’ve been crying for the past half an hour and we’re about to close. Would you like another tissue or should I call you a cab?’

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, then looked up at the waitress.

‘Sorry. I didn’t realise the time. I’ll… can I just get the bill please? It’s obvious he isn’t coming.’

A fresh tear rolled down my cheek.

It was official. I’d finally hit rock bottom. I was done with dating.

Being ghosted was painful, frustrating and annoying. But sitting in a restaurant for three hours after being stood up was next-level humiliating.

My phone buzzed on the table and my heart raced.

Finally!

That must be him replying to one of my dozen ‘Where are you?’ ‘Are you on your way?’ ‘Is everything okay?’ ‘Wtf?’ messages to apologise.

Maybe he’d got held up at work or slipped on the pavement and broken his leg. I refused to believe he’d stood me up.

We had a connection. I was sure of it.

I tapped the screen and…

Nope.

It wasn’t him. It was my older sister, Sammie, asking how my date with ‘the one’ had gone.

My stomach twisted and I blew out a defeated breath as the memory of me calling her a few days ago to gush about how I’d met my Mr Right came whooshing back.

I couldn’t believe I’d got it so wrong.

Again.

Now I’d have to listen to a lecture about being more careful with my choices.

And listen to her rave about how amazing her boyfriend was.

Oh, and of course be reminded about the fact that now that I was thirty, I should have more of a ‘financial cushion’ so that I had money to invest on important things like going to the Love Hotel and finding my soulmate like she had.

Believe me, I’d love nothing more than to go to a luxury matchmaking hotel. But unfortunately, as I’d told her repeatedly, I didn’t have a spare three grand for a holiday. Even if I gave up my daily coffee treat (sorry, no can do), it’d still take me approximately eleventy-billion years to save up to apply. And after all that, there were no guarantees I’d get matched.

So, no. It looked like I’d just have to continue using the crappy dating apps like the majority of the single population. Sigh.

Once I’d paid the bill, I dragged myself out of the restaurant then took the bus home. Just as I stepped through the door, my phone rang.

Sammie’s name flashed up and I knew that if I didn’t pick up, she’d worry.

‘Hi,’ I said, flatly, taking off my jacket and heels before flopping on the sofa.

‘What’s wrong?’ she replied, concern in her voice.

‘He didn’t turn up.’

‘Oh, shit! But I thought you said⁠—’