Page 34 of Actually Yours

“His mum lectured me about how unsuitable my boots are with this dress,” I tell them, twirling to show off my killer look to its best advantage. “I mean, come on, these boots are amazing.”

“’Tis true,” Bella agrees, tipping her head further back upside down to get a better look. “Your legs look smoking hot in that mini-dress, boots combo.”

“Exactly.” I take the offered glass of wine from Amy and plonk myself on the couch next to Bella’s feet. “And then she told me how few eggs I’ll have left if I wait too long to have babies.”

My friend’s faces mirror back my horror as I remember her exact words: “Every month you don’t fall pregnant is another month closer to being barren.”Yep, she actually used the word ‘barren’.

“Well, forget him. Forgetthem,” Amy says, opening her desk drawer. “We can just move on to the letter B. I’ve got a good feeling about the letter B.”

I roll my eyes. And snatch Bella’s cocktail from her hand, taking a big slurp. “Can we not?”

Amy looks at me and places the folder back in the drawer, closing it with an emphatic thump.

“You’re right. There’s absolutely no need to move on with this dating plan. You are a strong, independent woman who can be just as happy alone as in a couple.”

Bella and Lilly give this a drunken cheer and I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my face. I love these women and their ridiculous antics.

“Thank you!” I stand up and give an unsteady bow.Must slow down on the cocktails. “I’m glad we’re all on the same page.”

“It’s true,” Bella says, sitting up, the wonky bun on the top of her head wobbling a bit. She needs a haircut. “You’ve got a successful career, which you love.”

“I do.”

“And the cutest apartment which you own all by yourself.”

“Well, the bank owns most of it,” I clarify.

“Meh,” Bella charges on. “You have a pleasant relationship with your mum…”

I give them a so-so hand gesture, because this isn’t entirely true.

“And you have us!” She finishes her monologue with a sweeping motion while Lilly and Amy nod along like bobble-head dolls.

“You don’t need a man,” Amy adds. “You are perfectly whole, just as you are.”

It’s true. Every word they’ve said to pump me up is accurate, and for the most part, I’m happy on my own. It’s just those moments, the ones you want to celebrate the wins or the ones where you want your hand held, where having a partner would be…nice.

“And yet…” I trail off, not wanting to burst our girl power bubble. “I want what you guys have…”

My three married friends look at each other and then back at me with matching facial expressions. They understand exactly what I’m saying because the three of them hadn’t been looking for love but were lucky enough to find it, anyway.

“So…back to the folder?” Lilly asks, her blue eyes shining with excitement. And intoxication.

My mind flashes to Tom and Mrs. Walker.Is the folder the best way forward?

“OK, let’s do it.”

The three of them scramble to get the folder out of its resting place, flipping the pages with gusto to find which unsuspecting man is going to be next on my list.

“Bookkeeper?”

Pass, that’s too close to an accountant.

“Baker?”

No, too many early mornings.

“Beekeeper?”

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