Page 20 of Curvy Girl Summer

“Ignore him. Three months and he’s still learning the ropes.” She waved her hand in the air before her entire face lit up. “I was just about to call you again!”

“What’s going on?” I asked, taking a seat across from her.

“So, remember when you stopped by my birthday party for a few minutes back in May?”

“Yes.”

“Did you notice a man in black and red?”

I shook my head. “Not at all. I barely remember what you had on.”

She laughed. “I understand. It’s been a long month.”

“Tell me about it!”

“Well, my friend in the black and red was Derrick. He asked me about someone at the party a few weeks ago, and I didn’t know who he was talking about. But then he randomly brought it up again this weekend, and I realized he was talking about you. He’s interested and”—she held up her hands—“no pressure. But he’d love to meet you. I told him I wasn’t going to give him your last name or phone number, because I needed to check with you first. He said if you were interested in meeting him, just say the word, and he’ll ask you out himself.”

My eyebrows flew up. “What?”

“He said he wanted the ball to be in your court. He didn’t want to put any pressure on you, so he said to let him know the time, date, and location and he’d be there. Oh! And he said that if you choose Friday, make it after five o’clock because of work.”

I let out a stunned giggle. “What?”

I wasn’t shocked that the man wanted to go out with me. I was more in disbelief at his approach. I loved that he knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it. But the whole thing caught me off guard.

“Yeah, I was impressed with the energy he was bringing, too. That’s why I called you first thing this morning!” Grinning, Ramona swooped her relaxed hair behind her ears and leaned forward. “He’s a good one. He’s been single for a few months now, and I know he’s serious about looking for the right woman to settle down with.”

“I don’t know…” As tempting as it sounded, I was a little hesitant about a blind date. “Do you have a picture of him?”

Her face crumpled in a sheepish expression. “I don’t. And because I didn’t show him anything of yours, I wouldn’t feel right pulling up his social media to show you anything of his.”

I nodded. “I respect that.” I folded my arms over my chest and considered it for a moment. “Can I let you know?”

The phone on her desk started ringing just as she replied, “Yes, of course!”

“Saved by the bell,” I joked as I rose to my feet. “I’ll call you and let you know.”

Lifting her hand in a wave, she answered the phone.

I made my way back to my office, and I couldn’t help thinking about how all these signs were pointing to me finding my person. I took time to regroup, reflect, and refocus, and then I decided I wanted to start dating. The same week I said I was ready, my uncle said he was scared I’d end up alone, my mother said she was worried about my lack of relationships, and my best friend said I needed to get back out there.

Granted, Nina had been saying that all year, but still.

The fact that all those things happened within a few days and then my coworker tried to set me up with her friend out of the blue felt a little too coincidental. It was exactly two months, eight weeks, until my birthday. And I wanted to lock down a birthday boo.

God, is this a sign?I wondered as I sat down at my desk.

I was ready to date even though I didn’t want to date. For me to get what I wanted out of life, I needed to do something. I’d taken myself out of the game. Maybe I got too comfortable during those months off because I was just not interested in doing what my friends suggested I should do to get back out there and meet men.

Starting July off with a date could be just the thing I needed to kickstart my boyfriend quest. I tapped my chin. Maybe meeting Ramona’s friend was the perfect first step back into dating.

There was the potential that he was the man of my dreams. There was also the potential that he was the man of my nightmares.

I heard Nina’s voice telling me to get out of my own way. I heard my mom telling me to get out of my comfort zone. I heard my uncle calling me out about not having a boyfriend or a birthday date. But most distinctly, I heard what I told myself when I started the new year. I was holding out for something real, something lasting, something magical. I told myself that when I was ready, I was going to find that for my thirtieth birthday.

And I was ready.

Before I could lose my nerve, I grabbed the phone and called Ramona. “I accept. Tell him to meet me at this new place downtown called Onyx,” I blurted out. “Friday at seven thirty.”

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