Page 24 of Peak of Love
“This guy is a gym owner. That’s promising, right?” Kat offered.
“He listed his weight, height, and net worth. I’m OK with full disclosure when you meet someone, but this is too much information.” Tori didn’t sound impressed. “Plus, he wants to know if you’ve ever smoked.”
“I haven’t,” Celina said with a yawn. “What’s the gym?”
“Nah, Tori’s right. He sounds like a jackass.” Kat scrolled while Celina looked at the ceiling.
It had been two weeks since she opened a profile on a few dating sites. After pointless attempts at scrolling, she realized she had neither the time nor the patience to scour through one boring or weird bio after another. That’s when her sisters stepped in to make it their personal mission to get her at least one date in January. Like a quota they needed to fulfill.
“Here’s a funny one!” They read it together. Celina snickered.
I’ve hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. I’m a firefighter. I hate chocolate. One of these is a lie.
“And he’s cute! In that smoking-sexy Professor Tom Hiddleston way,” Tori piped in. “Message him! Here, I’ll do it for you.”
“You will not!” Celina interjected.
“OK, but will you?” Tori voiced the challenge.
“Maybe.”
“Baby steps. You don’t have to date, although you should start a conversation at least,” Kat suggested.
“Fine,” Celina conceded. “I’ll message him tomorrow.” Thatfinallygot them off the video call.
Lying in bed and waiting for the melatonin to kick in, Celina tried to get a handle on what she needed to do tomorrow. She had to make her gluten-free brownie offering for the soccer team’s bake sale. And then Jonas’s tennis lesson. She should do one more sweep through proofreading a client’s business pamphlets. She meant to do that today, but forgot. And meal planning for the week coming up, of course.
Celina pulled out her phone to add a reminder when she saw the notification of a message. She clicked on it, then cursed. Dammit, she never should have let Tori set up her profiles.
Marcelina:Too easy. No one hates chocolate.
Her sister was now resorting to online impersonation? Tori’s nosiness had never been more annoying.
Ben:That’s a broad statement. I take it you’re a fan.
The exchange happened five minutes ago. Celina could let it go and deal with her promised “conversation starter” tomorrow. Although, when tomorrow?
Raising her imaginary fists in protest against well-meaning older sisters everywhere, Celina responded.
Marcelina:I am. But you’re right, I shouldn’t assume you’d have good taste.
Ben:I have good taste. I swiped right, didn’t I?
Marcelina:Wow, straight to flirting. With that single-mindedness, I’ll have to assume you’ve climbed Kilimanjaro. So you’re not a firefighter?
Ben:Is that a deal breaker?
Marcelina:Not at all. I liked your profile. It assumes everyone lies so you’ve made a game of it. Well done, mountain climbing, chocolate hating, fire starting, Ben.
Ben:If everyone lies, what did you make up, Marcelina? It says you’re a wonderful cook and love Marvel movies.
Before she could answer, he sent another text:Also, I really like your name.
Celina ignored the compliment, though it made her smile.
Marcelina:I would never lie about Captain America.
Ben:And you’re an editor?
