“You too.”
We pause while Justin flags down a waiter and orders. Meanwhile, I’ve had two margaritas and the room is starting to get fuzzy. And it’s only midday! This is fun.
“So, Alex.” Justin turns to me when our food arrives. “I’m not sure how much Melanie has told you…” he trails off, lifting his eyebrows.
Told me what? Is this her new man? He doesn’t seem her type. Sure, he’s not bad-looking, but I actually thought he was gay.
I glance at Mel, who’s grinning. Even Cat is giving me a sly smile. What am I missing here?
“Uh, well,” I begin, refilling my margarita from the pitcher on the table, stalling for time.
Mel was saying something earlier. What was it? Something about… Nope. I’m drawing a blank.
I study their expectant faces. Maybe they’re engaged, and that’s why she was waiting for Cat to get back to the table. Or maybe she’s pregnant!
But Justin and Mel aren’t holding hands or looking even slightly romantic. In fact, all of Justin’s attention seems to be focused on me.
Oh. Oh.
I think I know what’s going on here. They’re trying to set me up with him. That must be what Mel was going on about earlier. She read my blog about how happy I am being single and could obviously see through the ruse. God, they must really pity me if they feel the need to find a man and ambush me at brunch.
“Well, you know Mel,” I say eventually. I fiddle with my glass, unsure what else to say. Justin is nice enough, but he’s much too old for me—even though I do seem to be attracted to older men lately. Well, one in particular.
Still, I can’t bear to hurt Justin’s feelings, or let Mel and Cat down after they’ve gone to all this trouble. They probably think they’re helping me out and I don’t want to appear ungrateful. I’ll have to let them down easy.
I smile politely. “You, er, seem very nice, Justin.”
“Oh. Thank you. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you after everything Mel has told me.”
I nod, sipping my drink, trying to ignore the sense of unease snaking up my spine. How am I going to get out of this?
“So how long have you been writing?” he asks.
Right, so Mel told him I’m a writer. Did she show him my blog too? I wonder if he also found it “hilarious.” I bet they were all sitting around, roaring with laughter over the poor girl who moved to New York after being dumped and now can’t get a man.
Or—oh God—maybe he thinks I’m easy, that I’m desperate for a shag, assuming that since there’s no one else around I’m going to just jump into bed with the first guy to come along. I can’t believe Mel and Cat thought this was a good idea.
“Uh, since I was a teenager.” I shift in my seat, willing the room to stop spinning around me. I shouldn’t have had that third margarita.
His mouth hooks into a devilish smile. “Wow. So you’ve got a lot of experience. Mel told me you were eager.” He winks and my stomach tightens in trepidation.
Are we still talking about writing?
I glance at Mel, starting to feel panicked. This guy is kind of a creep. Why on earth would she think I’d be into this? But she just grins back at me and sweat prickles along my brow.
“I guess you and I have a few things to discuss, then,” Justin continues, leaning towards me. “Shall we go somewhere more private?”
My heart lurches and the room swims out of focus. That’s it. I’m putting a stop to this, right now. “I’m not going to sleep with you, Justin,” I blurt.
His smile disappears. “What?”
I suck in a breath, reaching for a glass of water. This would be a lot easier if I wasn’t three sheets to the wind. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what Mel has told you, but I’m not looking for a man.”
All three of them stare at me, wide-eyed. I don’t know why they’re so shocked.
“I know I write about being single, but I’m not desperate. And I don’t need to be set up.” I glance pointedly at Mel and Cat.
Justin shakes his head, looking bewildered. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alex. We’re offering you a chance to write for us.”
What?
I glance at Mel, her arms folded across her perky chest, her head cocked to one side in mild amusement.
“Write for you?” I echo.
Justin nods.
“About what?”
He gives an odd laugh. “Being single!”
Mel rolls her eyes, leaning forward. “Were you not listening before? I showed your blog to some of our editors and they loved it. They want you to submit a piece for our website. Justin is my boss.”
I place my glass of water down carefully. “What website?”
“Bliss Edition.”
“Wait—” I remember Mel said she works for a women’s website, but not this one. “You work for Bliss Edition?”
Justin nods, mirth skimming across his features.
“And… you want me to write something for you?”
“Yes!” All three of them say in unison.
There’s a burst of excitement in my chest. Bliss Edition is one of the online magazines I’ve been trying to contact for ages!
Mel sits back in her seat, exasperated. Justin exhales and takes a sip from his cocktail, chuckling to himself.
“What was that you were saying about sleeping with Justin?” Cat asks.
“Nothing.” I flap a hand, feeling my face redden. “I can’t believe this! I’ve been wanting to submit something to your site. This is amazing.”
“You have an interesting take on single life here in the city,” Justin says. “We’ve been toying with the idea of creating a specific column on our site to connect with the eighty thousand single women in your age bracket, because we haven’t targeted them from this angle. Your blog is just like the sort of thing we’re looking to create.” He takes a leisurely sip of his drink, as if I’m not holding my breath and hanging on
