Page 114 of If Our Hearts Collide

Maybe I need to lower my standards just to increase my fun. Perhaps I should be looking for a fuck boy to cope with all my horniness.

I mean, that’s why I’m here doing the speed dating thing, right? No one really does these gimmicky things to actually fall in love. This is basically a dating app but in 3D.

Women don’t go out on the prowl, signing up for speed dating events, if they are having success doing the traditional methods for meeting someone.

Nothing about this experience is casual. There’s desperation written all over my motives for being here. Good thing is, everyone in attendance should be in a similarly constructed boat.

“Penny, you made it,” a masculine voice says from behind.

I pivot and see the all-smiles Rex making his way toward me. I mirror his half hug, shifting my weight from foot to foot. “I’m here,” I respond awkwardly. “You are too.”

“I am.”

I can only hope that by the time the actual dating starts, I’ll have mentally perfected my usage of the English language. Because right now, I’m struggling to put the words together to form anything intelligible.

I forgot how awkward this would be already knowing someone present. The familiarity is bringing me anything but comfort. I might throw up.

“Well, I for one am very glad you came.”

I fix my wavy hair over my shoulders, silently wishing I had pulled it up off my neck. I can already feel the sweat beading on my forehead, as more people shuffle into the shop.

“So, what do I do? I’m new at all of”—I sweep out a hand toward those gathering along the edge of the room—“this, and you look like a pro.”

Rex smiles and moves over to a table set up along the wall. “Here,” he says, handing me a white sticker with the number thirteen printed on it.

“Could you have assigned me a worse number?” I joke.

He chuckles. “I mean, I don’t think the devil’s number will be used, as the head count will break fire code. So, at least there’s that. Oh, and here’s your scorecard.” He hands me a card with several columns listed.

“Okay…”

“It’s pretty simple. Each guy will have a number assigned to him. Just rate them as a yes, no, or maybe. They will do the same. At the end, scorecards will be compared and you will be able to set up some outside dates with those with mutual interest.”

I nod. “Sounds easy enough.” I fidget with the hem of my shirt, hoping that my breathing can calm down enough to have a real conversation.

How am I supposed to socialize when I feel like hyperventilating?

“Oh, and I’m number one,” Rex says with his megawatt smile.

I swallow hard. I knew Rex would be here tonight. I just wasn’t expecting him to also be participating in the fun. Taking the pencil out of his hand, I start to circle the no for the first number.

“That’s harsh,” he says with a laugh.

I hand him back his pencil and then meander through the shop toward the order area. If I’m going to be starting off the night this nervous, then I better have something to hold in my hands to keep them from fidgeting.

“What can I get you?” the young female worker asks.

I scan over the menu. “I, um…”

She smiles at me when I am unable to complete a sentence. “So, tonight, in addition to the coffee, we are also serving up some summer sangrias.”

I shift my weight to the other foot. I’m not big into drinking when making decisions, but the thought of having a buffer to anything stupid I say is attractive to me. “Sure, let’s go with that.”

“Peach or berry.”

“Berry, please.”

I toss a few bills into the tip jar and pay for my drink. Making my way back to Rex, I spot my roommate.

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