Page 2 of Scandalous Lover

She shuffles through her bag and produces a thin notebook and a pen with the name of the event on it, passing them to me. “You can take notes on the guys you like, and you’re welcome to take any numbers you want. The guys know not to ask for phone numbers and we ask that you don’t offer yours. Just take their number and decide later if you want to shoot them a text.”

“Well, I’m not really here for that, so I guess…” I trail off as I see her face. She thinks I’m completely full of shit. Iclench my teeth and gesture with the notebook and pen. “Thanks. I’ll just go find a seat.”

Her pageant queen smile is back in full force. “Perfect. We’re getting started in two minutes.”

I set my drink down at the very end of the long table and pose for another pic with the notebook and branded pen before finally allowing myself to glance around at the people. The women all look as tired and over it as I feel—and I’m not even here for a date.

The guys, however, are just plain adorable.

I can see the optimism in their eyes and smell their longing from here. It makes me hope they find someone willing to take their number tonight. I vow to take every single one even though there is zero chance I’ll be calling anyone.

I’m lost thinking about if it would be better to take their number and never call or refuse their number and not get their hopes up when the first timer dings.

Here goes nothing.

I slide onto the bench in front of my cocktail and set my notebook down, only to be tapped on the shoulder by a prim, type-A-looking woman with flat, straight hair and glasses.

“First time?” she asks, not in the friendliest tone.

I nod and smile.

“Scoot on down. We can’t all climb over you.”

“Oh,” I say as I look down the table at the entirely empty bench. It seems like it would be easy enough for them to step over it and get seated, but drill sergeant Barbie over here is waiting impatiently, with other women lining up behind her, so I scoot. Women are scooting in from the other side too, so before long I’m stuck in the very center of the table, with one sweater clad hopeful smashed into me on either side.

Fantastic.

I snap another selfie, trying to get the shoulder proximity in the frame.

It’s not my intention to hit the internet and make fun of the event—at least not entirely—but I do want to give a proper representation for my followers. Who knows, maybe I'll inspire the organizers to opt for private tables in the future.

The second buzzer sounds, and the guys start sliding down the bench. I try not to make eye contact as they go by, which is awkward and not like me at all, but this whole thing has me a bit off kilter. Jammed in here with too many bench mates has my oxygen levels waning and the heat rising. I haven't even started my first date yet, and I’m already starting to sweat.

I decide to occupy myself by jotting down a little intro in my notebook.

9/23-Saturday-The Swing Inn-Downtown Austin.

Speed dating event set up by The Hopeful Howdy

First impressions: should have single tables rather than cram us onto this bench.

After all the men are seated, the buzzer goes off, signaling the start of our first date.

I look up and straight into a familiar pair of baby blues.

Chapter Two

Naomi

“Oh!” I exclaim, the sound leaving my lips entirely on its own volition. My brain short circuits, offering no help with closing my gaping mouth.

Sam smiles and shakes his head. “Of course this is how this would go for me. Sorry to drag you into my bad luck.”

I laugh, blinking myself back into the present moment. “No, no. It’s not bad luck. I’m happy to see you. It’s been forever.”

I realize with a start where we are and hold up my phone as a defensive shield. “I’m just here to do a piece for my Instagram channel. Being single in Austin, that kind of thing. Women go crazy for it. I’m not actually…” I trail off as I realize how badly I just stepped in it. “Not that there’s anything wrong with being here looking for someone. I mean…I’m going to shut up now.”

Sam laughs in the easy, good-natured way I remember from spying on him and the others from behind my book, pretending not to hang on their every word as I created worlds in my little girl mind with those guys at the center.

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