Page 7 of The Wrong Date Deal

“It’s fine. I’m doing it. I have something early afternoon, but I’m completely free otherwise.”

He perked up as he sipped his hot chocolate. “What’re you up to?”

August breathed a laugh. She should have known he’d pick up on the slightly loaded tone in her voice. “Uh. A date.”

“What?”

She nodded. “A date.”

“You’re finally dating again?”

“I guess so.”

He let out a low whistle. “Wow. Congrats. How did that happen?”

August rolled her eyes as she sipped her drink, grateful for the warm richness of it in contrast to the frosty, January night outside. “Meilíng—who has forever been against dating apps—heard about this one called Hummingbird from like five people she knows, and they all had success with it, so she joined. She’s been decidedly not dating longer than I have. But she liked it.”

“Okay. Why?”

“It’s pretty anonymous while you’re talking. You have to get checked officially when you sign up, but when you build your account, there are no photos, it’s all based on real, actual answers to questions, and it matches based on shared values and interests. That whole thing.”

“Fair. I can see that. I mean, if it got you and Meilíng back into dating, that’s an incredibly high recommendation.”

August laughed. “Well, I haven’t gone on any dates yet.”

“But Meilíng has?” he asked, twisting in his seat, absolutely fascinated.

“Mm. Yeah, one so far.”

“And? How’d it go?”

“Fantastically. She adores him and they’ve already gone on multiple dates.”

“So, pretty promising then,” Ford laughed. “Wow. You’re actually getting back out there.Dating.”

“Yeah, yeah. It’s not a big deal.”

He smiled. “I’m happy for you.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. The date hasn’t happened yet. It might suck. And, even if it doesn’t, it’s hardly like I’m headed down the aisle.”

“Never say never.”

She shot him a look. “I amneverheading down the aisle after one date.”

Ford laughed. “Fair enough. But, you know, don’t limit yourself.”

“Can you imagine any world in which you marry someone after a few fairly anonymous conversations and one actual date?”

He sipped his drink slowly. “Well, no. But still. I’m busy. Don’t limityourself.”

“Unbelievable,” August muttered, shaking her head. “I really am just looking to test out the waters. It’s time, I guess.”

“Plus, it might stop your colleagues from inviting you to those dinners that are obviously weird singles’ nights hosted by a married couple.”

August raised her mug in cheers. “One can only hope. Their hearts are in the right place, but one more night of speed dating at their dining table really might have melosingtheir numbers.”

“As if they wouldn’t bring the party to you. They’re just one of those couples.”

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