Page 8 of Trust Issues
“When she says particular, she means impossibly high standards,” Naima said.
“Whatever, I feel like as a woman, I shouldn’t accept just anything that comes across my plate. So, Luxe Connections caters to that. You can make your own list and they’ll match people with you based on their list. If you’re compatible with them then you guys take it from there and go on a date or start talking.
For me, Luxe is just the first step in the process but for right now, we’ll get you set up. Tonight isn’t about me. I already have a date lined up for tomorrow. Let’s get you on my level.”
“You’re not tired of the dating scene?” Cadence asked, lifting an eyebrow at me.
“Nope. I’m gonna tell you like I told Naima, I have to go at this like I really want it because if I don’t I won’t find anyone. Eventually, I want to settle down. A guy isn’t going to come strolling into my life. I have to go look for him.” I reached over and plucked the phone from Cadence’s hand and started scrolling through her set up process.
“Okay, so what is this list you said I need to have?” I didn’t expect to laugh so loudly at her question.
“You don’t have a list?” I quizzed.
“No.” She blinked at me with wide eyes and Naima stifled a laugh. She got up from the couch and waved her hand in the air.
“On that note, I’m going to get more wine because you’re going to need it,” Naima told Cadence.
“You seriously don’t have a list of qualities you’re looking for in a guy?” I couldn’t fucking believe my ears. What rational woman didn’t have a running list of qualities she had to have in a potential man?
“No. I mean I know what I like. I just never wrote it down. It stays in my head. Wait,” Cadence’s full lips curved upward with a smile. “Kyla, doyouhave a list?”
“Of-fucking-course, I have a list. I’m not wasting my time messing around with men who don’t come close to what I need.”
“Okay, before we getmylist going I need to seeyourlist. I bet you have it written down.”
“Girl, have it written down? Her list has its own journal. It’s like a fucking bible,” Naima added. She walked back into the living room carrying a chilled bottle of white wine. She laughed it up along with Cadence but I didn’t care. They could laugh all the hell they wanted to. I knew what I wanted and I refused to be swayed. I refused to settle.
“Wow, this list sounds legendary. Okay, let me see it. Or is it too holy for viewing?”
“No, Cadence. It’s not too holy for viewing. I don’t care if you look at it. Maybe it’ll give you ideas and you can get some concrete standards so you can actually attract a date.” I stuck my tongue out at her and hopped up to go to my room.
My book of standards sat snuggly inside my nightstand drawer right beside the black silk bag that held myWomanizertoy. I couldn’t help stroking the small black bag lovingly. I knew I’d be using that amazing motherfucker to coast off to sleep later.
I grabbed my book of standards and returned to the living room where Naima and Cadence were laughing. Honestly, I loved seeing my girls getting along like that. Why hadn’t I introduced them before?
“Okay, here’s the book,” I said proudly.
“Jesus, you weren’t joking, Naima. That shit is thick. It’s like a novel.” Cadence took the book from my hands and flipped through its pages in awe.
“Of course it’s thick. I have to be precise. If you don’t explicitly tell the universe what you want then you’ll get anything.” I shrugged my shoulders and ate a few more chips before tucking my feet under my body.
“Chapter one: appearance,” Cadence read with a laugh hovering between her syllables. “He must be taller than me in heels,” she read aloud. I moved my lips along with every word because I knew it all by heart. There were thirty pages of expectations. After that, I had sections for exceptions and revisions. It was an ongoing thing. I couldn’t just make a list and be done with it.
By the time Cadence and Naima had flipped through most of the pages in my book, they were howling with laughter.
Whatever.
They could laugh it up for all I cared. I knew what I wanted and there was no other choice but for me to get it.
“Are you done? Ihavemy list. It’s not perfect but it’s there. You don’t have a list and you don’t have a date either. Would you look at that? I see a perfectly logical correlation.” That stopped her laughter real quick. I smiled like the Cheshire cat and snatched my precious book of standards away from her. I replaced the book with her phone and told her to come up with some standards of her own.
“Okay, this is going to be harder than I thought.”
“Oh, what’s that? You’re sorry for laughing at my book now, aren’t you, Cadence?”
“No. That shit was hilarious. You might have a point though about knowing what you want. After looking at that over the top shit, I realize I have no idea what I really want. I thought I did but…”
“Fuck you. It’s not over the top,” I countered, munching on a chip and feeding one to Barkley.
