Page 1 of Michelle
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MICHELLE
When we started The Nice Girls’ Naughty Book Club, we were five single women with a shared love dirty romance novels. But now I’m the only single one left in the group. All of the gals—except me—seem to have found love each week as we worked our way through our reading list. Why am I the only one that hasn’t found love?
“No meeting this week?” Lily, the barista behind at The Story Brew asks, as she looks around for the rest of the club members.
“They’ll be here,” I say with a sigh. “They’ve all messaged to say they are running late.”
Lily and I have become friends of sorts over the last few weeks since the group started coming to The Story Brew for our weekly book club meetings. I've recommended a few books to her so that she can expand her romance book knowledge. And she's got me hooked on their chocolate chip scones.
I put in my usual order and make small talk with Lily as she makes it.
“So what book are you guys talking about this week?”
I pull out my copy ofThe Juiciest Fruitand hold it up for her to see. I’ve found that some of the titles are too risqué for the delicate ears of some of the other patrons.
"It was definitely a page-turner."
She chuckles, knowing that’s code for this book was extra naughty just the way I like it. “I’ll have to check it out.”
"You can borrow my copy after I finish up with the meeting."
“That’s really nice of you,” Lily says as she walks back over to the counter with my espresso and chocolate chip scone. “Since you’re letting me borrow it, the least I can do is let you have this on the house.”
“I should say no since I blame these delicious scones for the increase in my curves, but they are just too good to pass up.” I pick up the pastry and take a bite. “If you are ever off during the meeting, you are welcome to join us.”
"I would love that! I'll talk to my boss about moving my shift around next week." Her smile grows wider.
“Sounds good.”
The bell over the door chimes as the coffee shop door opens. I see my twin sister Fiona and Jess walk in first, followed by Quinn and Courtney—the rest of The Nice Girls' Naughty Book Club.
I wave and get their attention before pointing towards the table I've saved for us. They head over and sit down.
I overhear them talking amongst themselves as I approach. They are talking about their boyfriends and a possible couples trip out to wine country for the weekend.
I’m happy that they’ve all found someone, but I can’t push down the pang of jealousy I feel for being the last single gal in the group.
"Hey Michelle," Quinn greets me, and they all get quiet about the trip quickly.
I sit down in the empty seat next to my sister. Unlike the rest of the club members, I can read Fiona like an open book, and she is doing everything in her power not to look at me. I look around at everyone else.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Jess shakes her head.
“Is this about the trip you are all planning?”
Everyone looks nervously around at each other, no one seeming to know what to say.
“If you didn’t want me to know about it,” I say, looking around the table. “You should probably know that voices carry in this place.”
“We wanted to tell you,” Courtney jumps in.
"Yeah, but it's a couples special, and we didn't want to hurt your feelings," Quinn adds.
I plaster a fake smile on my face that I know will pass off as sincere. I'm not about to ruin everyone else's fun plans because I can't find a boyfriend. I've had a few dates here and there, but nothing that amounted to anything. One guy was so into video games that he thought it was a good idea for a second date to invite me over and just watch him play. Another guy spent our first date talking nonstop at me about his ex-girlfriend. When I suggested that he might still have unresolved feelings for her, he stormed off from the table, leaving me to pick up the check. The last guy I went out with was set up by a "friend" from work. I use the term "friend" loosely after the disaster that was our blind date. He was so painfully shy that he could barely speak to me, and when he did respond to something, it was a one-word syllable answer. I guess I'm destined to be unlucky in love, not to mention the byproduct of this fact is that I'm so sexually frustrated. If I don't get a handle on the fire burning in me, I might be consumed by it.
