Page 23 of The Roommate Experiment

“In the sea, maybe not.” Clara grins. “But dating apps are filled with eligible bachelors. Download one on your phone and explore the options. Even if you’re not looking for anything serious, it could be a good distraction. And who knows? You might meet someone cool.”

I frown, not sold on the idea. The thought of swiping through profiles, making awkward small talk with strangers… it’s daunting. Especially when my heart is still clinging to the hope that Dylan might wake up one day and realize he loves me back.

But as I nibble at my barely touched sandwich, I can’t dismiss the truth in Clara’s words. Sitting around the apartment, watching Dylan and Olivia play house, will chip away at my sanity. I need a diversion, something to yank me out of the endless pining and self-pity. But online dating?

I’m about to say no when Clara cuts me off with a wave of her hand.

“Come on, Hunter. You said it yourself, you need a distraction. Meeting new people could help you move on. You don’t want to keep torturing yourself over Dylan.”

The idea of dating seems… premature. The only serious boyfriends I’ve had since I met Dylan fell in my lap like Clara said. I didn’t seek the connections. There was Bret, the guy who literally swept me off my feet at a wedding when my heel broke on the dance floor. He offered his shoulder as I hobbled around for the rest of the night, using him as my personal crutch. And Troy, the Samaritan who returned my wallet after I’d left it at a laundromat. He’d tucked a note inside that read,You owe me a coffee for the return, with his number scribbled underneath. But with both, even at the start, when things were going well in the relationships, I couldn’t help measuring them up to Dylan—and they always lost. How could a random dude I meet on the internet compete?

But I can’t deny the logic in Clara’s suggestion. I need something—anything—to keep me from spiraling further into the Dylan-and-Olivia vortex.

“Alright,” I concede. “I’ll think about it.”

Clara grins, looking entirely too pleased with herself. “Good. Try it. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Those could be the famed last words. But for the first time since Dylan moved in, my stomach flips at the promise of something new, exciting, and freeing. Nothing left to lose.

I wipe my mouth on a napkin, leaving the second half of my sandwich untouched. “I’m stuffed.”

Clara nods. “Love woes always make me lose weight if nothing else.” She leans forward. “Have I convinced you to give online dating a shot?”

I sigh dramatically. “Okay, okay, you win. I’ll create a profile.”

Clara claps her hands together. “Yes. How about we grab drinks after work and set you up?”

The idea of putting myself out there twists my stomach with a blend of excitement, nerves, and a tiny flicker of hope that I’ll get away from under Dylan’s spell. I open my mouth to confirm the evening plans when my phone buzzes with an incoming text.

It’s from Rowena in our group chat.

Rowena

Hey, can you gals meet me after work today? I need to talk to you both

At once, my mind flies to worst-case scenarios. Did something happen in the Hamptons? Is she having second thoughts about moving in with a stranger? Is Adrian mistreating her in any way? I type back a response.

Hunter

If you’ve changed your mind, we can kick Dylan out of the third bedroom, he hasn’t set up the office yet

Her reply comes in a minute later.

Rowena

No, nothing like that. I just need to talk

I frown at the cryptic message but send back a thumbs-up emoji. Drinks with Clara will have to wait. I glance up at her apologetically. “Rain check on tonight? A friend needs me, some kind of crisis.”

Clara waves a hand. “No worries. You show up for your girls. We can have lunch again tomorrow and kick off Operation Online Dating.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me and I can’t help but laugh.

“Deal.”

We settle the bill and walk back to the office, my mind still wondering what Rowena could need advice on.

The rest of the work day flies by, my new project keeping me busy. But when my phone pings with an alarm reminding me of the meet-up with Rowena, I’m out the door without hesitations.

12

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