Page 69 of The Middle-Aged Virgin (The Middle-Aged Virgin 1)

‘Ah, stop it!’ laughed Bella. ‘What with looking after Paul and counselling you, I barely have time to scratch my head!’

‘Sorry! I know I’ve been a bit of a neurotic basket case lately. These men can really fuck with your sanity. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, opening myself up for more of this by jumping into this online dating thing, but hey, gotta try! Brace yourself, Bella. This Lorenzo shit is probably going to be just the tip of the iceberg. Bet even you’re wishing I was back with Rich so you could have some peace and quiet again,’ I joked.

‘Nooooo, Soph!’ she insisted. ‘You’re better off being single than staying in an unhappy relationship. Honestly, I don’t mind. For years you’ve held everything together as you’re so brilliant at running your business, so I haven’t really needed to give you any advice, so it’s nice to be able to help,’ added Bella. ‘Plus, it’s great to have an adult conversation once in a while, and without sounding bad, because I know you’re the one going through it, your life is very entertaining right now. Like Roxy said, I’m saving a fortune on cinema tickets. It’s like the start of one big messy romcom,’ she said, letting out a wicked laugh.

‘Thanks, Bella. Nice to know you’re getting a kick out of my trials and tribulations!’

‘I know, sorry!’ she said, laughing again. ‘But even you’ve got to admit that as hard as it is sometimes, right now your life is waaay more interesting than it was six months ago.’

‘Yes. You could say that!’ I replied.

After catching up on Bella’s news, I headed home and jumped straight in the shower. I should’ve messaged her straight away as she lived in Hampstead, North London whereas I was the complete opposite, in South London, so we always liked to let each other know we’d got home safely.

I unlocked my phone. There was a message from Bella, andseven from Lorenzo?

I quickly messaged Bella to let her know that I’d also got home safely, then clicked on to Lorenzo’s chat:

Lorenzo

Yes i am very busy

Lorenzo

For two more weeks

Lorenzo

You are so kind

Lorenzo

I will think about it

Lorenzo

Until then i am sending you a big hug

Lorenzo

And a kiss

Lorenzo

Goodnight

Oh.

So I sent a gushing, heartfelt, sucking up message andthatwas his reply?

Had he answered my direct question about wanting to see me again? Nope. And the two-week thing. Did that mean he was busy for two weeks, but he’d like to see me after that? He said he’d think about the festival. Maybe that was positive? It wasn’t an outright no… it was in three weeks’ time, so that was after the busy two-week period he had coming up. And the big hug and kiss thing, was he showing enthusiasm or just being polite?

I’d hoped asking questions would make things clearer in my mind, but actually it had done the complete opposite.

As much as I hated to admit defeat, I couldn’t really see that there was much more that I could do. I typed a quick reply. I knew this was likely to be the last message I’d send to him and that the chances of him coming over were non-existent, but ever the optimist, I kept it upbeat and positive.

Me

Yeah, have a think and let me know. Could be good for your career. And after you’ve done your networking, we can go and have some fun… Goodnight x

Done. In more ways than one.

No more chasing.

If Lorenzo wanted to come over, he would. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t. I couldn’t sit around waiting for him. Like Reasanna kept reminding me, I was smart, successful and attractive. And if Lorenzo didn’t want to grab the opportunity to be with a woman like me, there must be other men that would.

Online dating: here we come.

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