Page 11 of What Broke First
Sarah’s voice was cool, but not cruel. “Don’t say you’re trying to fix us, Matt. Fixing us isn’t on the table. Fixing yourself is.”
He nodded.
“I’ll see you Thursday,” she said, already backing toward the kitchen. “Bring juice boxes. No sugar-free crap.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
That night, Sarah poured a glass of wine, opened her laptop, and stared at the blinking cursor in her dating app profile.
She deleted “recently separated” and replaced it with “still deciding.” Then she added, “loves red wine, bookstores, and revenge served cold.”
She sipped her wine. Smirked. She hit save and scrolled. Within minutes, a match popped up.
Jason, 42. Likes hiking, grilling, and quoting Jimmy Fallon.
Jason: Hey there, beautiful. What’s a smart, sexy woman like you doing on an app like this?
Sarah: Hiding from the patriarchy. You?
Jason: Haha. You’re funny. I like that. Want to skip the small talk and meet up?
Sarah: Bold. But I don’t meet men whose entire personality is “owns tongs.”
Jason: Excuse me?
Sarah: You said grilling. It’s a red flag. I’ve been hurt before.
Jason: Wow, okay. You’re intense.
Sarah: I prefer “emotionally well-seasoned.”
Jason unmatched her. She chuckled. Another ping.
Elliot, 39. Former DJ turned financial advisor. Voted most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Elliot: So what’s your favorite revenge story? Asking for a friend.
Sarah: I once sent my cheating ex a fruit basket with a card that said, “Hope your vitamin C deficiency is as temporary as your loyalty.”
Elliot: That’s... strangely hot.
Sarah: It was a citrus-themed burn. Took effort.
Elliot: I like a woman with edge.
Sarah: I come with edge, trauma, and a deeply unhealthy relationship with cheese.
Elliot: Marry me.
She laughed then unmatched him.
Not because he said the wrong thing.
But because she wasn’t ready for the right thing.
Not yet.
She closed her laptop, sipped her wine, and whispered to herself, “Well... that was foreplay, I guess.”
