Page 19 of Something Real with the Sea Monster
“I really don’t.”
“Small-town hipster boy next door. It’s a whole vibe. It’s hot.”
She thinks I’m hot. I have to stop myself from grinning like an idiot. I cough and turn back to my computer. “Thanks. I think you’re wasting your time, though. I doubt I’ll match with anyone.” How can I match with anyone knowing the one I’ve been waiting for is right here?
Tegan just waves away my comment. “Now don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re a catch. Tell me what sort of ladies you go for.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t really have a type.”
“Come on. Everyone has a type.”
There’s a pause. I turn, holding her gaze as I say, “You.”
She blinks. “Really?”
I nod. “Yeah. You’re just my type.” Let her read into that what she will. I hope she reads all the things into it.
We look at each other for another long moment, then Tegan laughs. “Well of course I am. I’m everybody’s type. How about I just put tall, blonde, and curvy?”
“Yeah.” It doesn’t matter what she puts. The girl I’m looking for is standing right here. I just have to find a way to convince her to see that. Right after she heals from what she’s been through recently.
That’s OK. I’ve waited this long to find her. I can wait a few more months for her to be ready for a relationship. Waiting doesn’t seem so bad when I know I’ve found her.
TEN
Tegan
“Are you sure you don’t mind me crashing at your house indefinitely?” I ask Mia for the millionth time on Friday night.
She laughs, pushing a strand of hair off her face and taking a sip of tea. “Of course I don’t mind. I’m so excited to have you around, you don’t understand. I’ve missed you.”
I look up from my laptop where I’m scanning through websites for boutique hotels. I had an idea about something I wanted to try on the Inlet Views’ website but I can’t find a goodcomparison. “Oh, I’ve missed you too! I can’t believe you moved here and left me all alone in Sydney!”
“You know there’s an easy solution. You should come join me. I’m telling you it’s beautiful here and you’d get used to the differences.”
I sigh. “Kraken Cove is beautiful. I just don’t know if I could live in such a small town. You know me. I’m already having retail withdrawal.” That’s not the only thing I’m missing. I could really use wine, but I haven’t even gone a whole day. That feels a bit weak.
Mia laughs again. “Well that’s what the internet is for, silly.”
She finishes her tea and goes back upstairs to her studio to finish working on her latest painting. I get up and check the fridge, but there’s no booze. Disappointed, I make myself a tea instead.
By the time Luke comes in, dropping his work boots at the door and calling out to us, I’ve switched to the sofa and am scrolling social media, thinking. It looks like I’m doing nothing, but there really is deep thinking going on at a fundamental level. “Hey, Luke.”
Luke flicks the kettle on. “Artist still at work upstairs?”
A message from Jack pops up on my phone. “Huh? Oh yeah. Mia’s still upstairs.”
Jack: do I actually have to sit here and scroll through women like they’re being served up to me on a restaurant menu?
I laugh.Yes. You have to scroll and don’t be afraid to drop some likes as well. It helps the algorithm know what you’re interested in
Jack: the algo-what?
I can’t help laughing again. I don’t think he’s opened the apps at all since I set up accounts for him last weekend. It’s like he’s shy or something, which doesn’t make sense to me. He’s gorgeous and sweet. A real catch.
Luke looks over. “What’s got you laughing away over there?”
I pause typing my reply to Jack to wave my phone in the air for a moment. “Your brother clearly needs help. I mean, it’s serious. Were you aware he hasn’t had a date in ten years?”
