Page 8 of Sincerely Not Yours

“That’s so wrong and so funny!” Paige huffed and shook her head. Her eyes traveled back to her phone, scrolling to read more. “When you’re ready to be matched, you spin a virtual wheel, and the app uses an algorithm to pair users, based on their location, interests, and compatibility. Once you’re matched, you can start messaging each other, but no photos can be shared.”

“I guess that’s kind of nice,” Alice said with a shrug. “At least it’s keeping people from matching solely on physical appearance.”

“I don’t know. Seems weird to me.” Gigi took a sip of her margarita, thinking about the dating scene and all the app options. She ran a hand over Tux’s fluffy black body. He stretched out and yawned. “There are a ton of dating apps that match on compatibility. This one just seems shady. Like it was designed for cheaters.”

“Yeah, I could see that.” Alice tilted her head, pursing her lips. “So, what happens if you actually want to meet the person you’re messaging? How are you supposed to meet if you don’t know what that person looks like?”

Paige silently read, swirling her margarita. The ice clinked in her glass like a ticking clock, amping up the suspense. “Okay. So, if both parties agree to meet, the app will again spin a wheel, choosing a specific meeting location and first date for the couple. It also gives them a secret word so they can confirm the person when they meet.”

“Really?” Gigi asked. “Like you’re just supposed to just walk up to a guy at a restaurant and ask him for a secret password? Oryell out some random word like ‘bananas’ until your date finds you? And how are you supposed to know you’re not meeting a serial killer?”

Alice gasped at the last question. “Good point!” She stopped knitting for a moment, looking as though she were imagining meeting a murderer for cheeseburgers and fries.

“How are we supposed to knowanyonewe meet isn’t a serial killer?” Paige stared at Gigi and Alice like that was an obvious observation. “Most serial killers won’t divulge that about themselves.”

Gigi scrunched her nose. Paige was right. “Still, the app makes it easy for people to hide their identity. Seems like it would attract people with bad intentions, or just people looking for hookups. Anyoneseriouslylooking for love won’t use it.”

Alice agreed, nodding her head. Paige looked as though she were considering all the reasons someone would be on the app. She set her phone on the coffee table, ate a meatball, and took a slurp of her margarita.

“Yeah, I guess it sounds like more of a hook-up app. But it also sounds like it could be fun.Spontaneous.” Paige challenged both Gigi and Alice with a quirk of her brow. “Plus, just because you see a guy’s face and know their name before you meet them, doesn’t mean they’re not a weirdo. My dating history is proof of that. Do you remember the foot-fetish guy?”

Gigi was mid-sip. She covered her mouth, barely stopping herself from spitting her margarita all over Mister Tuxedo. Forcing a swallow, she dabbed her mouth on her sweatshirt sleeve before laughing. “I almost forgot about that guy!”

Alice laughed along. “Oh, that guy was a creepo!”

“Yeah, made me think twice about wearing open-toe shoes on a first date. I had no idea red toenail polish could be a beacon for weirdos.” Paige slid back in her chair. She shook her head with a chuckle. “Dating is pretty strange, if you really think about it.”She stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. “Like how the heck are we supposed to find true love amongst a mess of strangers? Just because I’m attracted to someone’s muscular forearms doesn’t mean the guy is going to satisfy all my needs and wants for eternity.”

Gigi grinned at Paige’s flowery description of dating. She wasn’t wrong.

“But that creep gave you great writing inspiration,” Alice noted, referring to the villain Paige had created for a romantic suspense novel a few years back—a kidnapper with a penchant for painted toes. The first book in a series that launched her successful writing career.

Paige sat up straight in her chair. “It did, didn’t it?”

Gigi immediately shook her head, following Paige’s train of thought. “No one needs you to test out this app just to get writing inspiration.”

“I bet it would give me some great ideas.” Paige’s eyes were wide, like she’d just discovered a hundred-dollar bill hidden in her coat pocket.

Gigi tilted her head, knowing she wouldn’t change Paige’s mind. “Please promise me you’ll tell us exactly where you’re going if you decide to meet up with someone.”

“I’ll send you a pin of my location.” Paige smirked, and Gigi shook her head. “But let’s get back to the topic at hand—your grumpy, rich, hot boss that’s currently blowing up your life.” Paige leaned against the armrest, setting her chin on her fist. “How do we stop him from being a pain and instead get him to take you on some fancy date that involves a helicopter and a private island?”

Gigi rolled her eyes and laughed. “First of all, that only happens in books.”

“Or onThe Bachelor,” Alice chimed in, like that show mirrored real life.

“Another piece of fiction,” Gigi replied good-naturedly. All three of them lovedThe Bachelor. When the show was on, their Yappy Hours consisted of watching the latest episodes and dissecting all the drama. “Also, he’s my boss. I can’t date him. I’d like to stay out of HR and keep my job, thank you very much.” Even as she said it, Gigi had to stuff down the memory of being splayed across Harris. She cleared her throat when she remembered the hard planes of his chest and her pulse started snapping.

“Well, that’s boring,” Paige said, looking disappointed.

“I just need to figure out how to make him back off,” Gigi added. “I don’t want him making a bunch of changes that are going to mess everything up.”

Alice and Paige nodded, their gazes going unfocused, like they’d put on their thinking caps to come up with a way to fix Gigi’s conundrum. That’s what they did for one another.

Alice tapped her chin. “You’re doing the entire Gal’s Gift Guide with him?”

“Looks like it,” Gigi answered with a nod. “I need a second person to represent the company. Each of the activities is made for groups of two or more. Plus, I need another person to help take pictures and videos for SheTime’s social.”

“Can you lock him in the office supply closet and bring me instead?” Paige asked, as if this were a good option.

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