Page 30 of Feels Like Love
She lifted a shoulder, trying to play it cool.
“Oh please,” I teased. “A girl like you probably has a list of necessary qualifications.”
The fact that she was quiet told me I was right. Wren was the queen of organization. She always had been, but especially since becoming a mom. Between her photography business and raising River on her own, she had to be.
“Come on. You’ve gotta give me something. If I’m your dating coach, I need to know what you’re looking for in a guy. Otherwise, we’re both wasting our time.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. So much attitude. “I’d love to meet someone who’s nice. Treats River and me with respect. Wants kids.”
“Is that really so difficult to find?” I asked, thinking I could totally pass that test. With flying colors.
I might be a grumpy bastard sometimes, but I wasalwaysnice to Wren. And treating her with respect? No-brainer. As for the kid thing. I’d always known I wanted them someday, and spending time with River had only increased my desire to become a dad. I loved that kid as if he were my own. It would be impossible not to.
“Harder than you’d think,” she said on a sigh.
“Come on.” I made a “gimme” motion with my hand. “Let me see what we’ve got to work with.”
She held the computer, not even moving to shift it over to me. “This is… Well, it’s kind of embarrassing.”
“Because of the guys or because of your profile?”
“Neither. Both. I don’t know.” She wouldn’t look at me. I wanted her to look at me.
“Come on.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Wren, it’s me. Have I ever made fun of you?”
“No, but—”
“Then show me.”
She turned the computer to face me, and I surveyed her profile. There were the basics.
Wren Beaudin. 26. Female. She/Her. Alondra Valley, California.
I was glad she hadn’t added the town. The Alondra Valley was small enough as it was. I wanted her to stay safe.
Her photo was nice, if a bit…professional. And then there was her bio, which I skimmed. It was so dull, so lifeless, it made me yawn.
“What?” she asked before I’d finished reading. “What’s wrong?”
“First of all, this says nothing about you. I feel like I’m looking at your LinkedIn profile, not a dating website.”
“What would you suggest?”
I opened a Word document. “Make it more personal. More…inviting.”
I started typing, thinking and revising but mostly just writing what came to me. When I finished, I turned the screen to her. I watched as she read what I’d written about her, eagerly waiting for her reaction.
“Wow,” she finally said. “That was… Do you really believe all of that?”
I nodded. “Wren, you’re amazing. Sometimes it takes someone else to show us who we really are.” Which was exactly how I felt about her. She helped me see the man I could be, the family and the life I could have.
“Damn, Bennett.” She slugged my arm and grinned. “You’re a real Casanova, aren’t you?” She shook her head. “I’m glad I hired you to be my coach.”
“Hired?” I barked out a laugh. “I believe the term ‘blackmailed’ would be more accurate.”
She laughed because it was true.
“You might not be as happy when you hear my next suggestion,” I said.
