Page 1 of Stranger Session

Chapter One

Del

Good morningis an absolute shit way to greet the day, and I wish I could pummel the asshole who coined the phrase. There is nothing good about mornings, the time of day when we’re forced to leave sleep’s comforting hold. I’d stay unconscious for the next six months if I could. At least then I won’t be forced to think abouther.

The breakup was for the best, but that didn’t make it any easier when it happened. Especially not the way it happened. As I warm a bowl of oatmeal and carry it to the table, I try not to think about it, but I’ve tried not thinking about it for months, and it hasn’t worked yet.

My roommate sits across from me at the table. He shoves his bagel into his mouth and sends the little black cumin seeds all over the table. They look like roach droppings.

“We’ve gotta get you out of this funk,” he says through a mouthful of bread. “I’m signing you up for a stranger session.”

“I don’t even know what that is, but my answer is stillthe fuck you are.”

Taylor rolls his eyes. “It’s a blind-date photo shoot, and I don’t see why you won’t try it. You won’t go on dates or come to any of the parties I invite you to. I feel like drastic actions need to be taken or you’re going to die alone.”

“I would rather be drawn and quartered.” I rub a hand through my dark blond hair because I know what’s coming. More guilt about my breakup.

My appetite shrivels, and I push my bowl of oatmeal away and drop my head into my hands. I don’t know why he can’t leave well enough alone. Yeah, I’m wallowing a bit, but I’m not eager to run out and snag another girlfriend after my last breakup. I need time to get over that. It doesn’t help that I’ve become pretty jaded about it. I mean, I’m twenty-five and still live with a roommate.

I’d been looking for an apartment for me and my ex. When I found the perfect place, I stopped by to surprise her. She had a surprise for me too. I found her beneath one of my now ex-friends, and I ended things. Too bad I didn’t know about what a lying bitch she was before I got my dick pierced for her. Maybe the next woman will appreciate it, but I have no intention of meeting her anytime soon.

My life is a depressing mess, and I don’t think a weird blind date will change my six months of wallowing. Deservedly so. I fucking loved her. Or so I thought. Now I don’t know what the word means.

Taylor turns his phone toward me. “Look at these girls. They’re hot as fuck. They even take time to match you with the right pretty face for your personality.”

I push the phone toward him. “Leave it alone, Taylor. Please.”

I’m begging him to let it go. I can’t deal with that. Firstoff, it sounds nothing like anything I would do. Ever. Second, I’m not ready, no matter how hot the girls are.

“Suit yourself. If you die alone, don’t say I didn’t try.” He turns the screen toward himself and starts scrolling, an annoyed tightness in his lips.

I appreciate that he tries. He still invites me to things even though he knows I’ll say no. “Thanks for trying, Taylor,” I say. “I mean it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He lifts his bagel to his mouth and sends another round of cumin-seed confetti to the table.

I dump my uneaten oatmeal into the trash, fill up my water bottle, and grab my headphones. I’ve gained ten break-up pounds since Lisa and I split, and I’m struggling to lose them. Even though I hate running, it passes the time and keeps my head clear. It’s hard to think about my ex and how she’s ruined my life when I’m struggling for my next breath. If I can lose these ten pounds, I might even agree to go on whatever blind-date activity Taylor comes up with.

But probably not.

I turn on some music and let my feet pound the pavement. Our rented house sits in a nice little subdivision filled with families and older couples. I pass lawns littered with bikes and toys, perfectly manicured grass, and well-kept garden beds. There aren’t many people out and about this early, but the few I pass don’t offer a wave or even a curt nod with a pinched smile. I don’t quite fit in here, and they all seem to know it.

None of that mattered when I had Lisa. I fit in with someone, and that was enough for me. Now I’m a piece of driftwood floating in the open sea, unattached and alone. While I’m not in a rush to be picked up, it would be nice to be seen. Noticed.

Instead, I’m invisible.

Another runner passes on the opposite side of the street. Her blonde ponytail swishes back and forth, and her large breasts bounce despite the best efforts of the sports bra smooshing them down. Her eyes meet mine, and I expect a look of disgust because I’ve been caught staring, but she only smiles. The look in her eyes tells me she wouldn’t mind running into me one morning.

This should excite me, but it doesn’t. People are more than their outer packaging, and I want my next connection to come with an organic spark. I never had that with Lisa. She was a knockout, and that’s why I wanted to be with her, but there was no substance behind her gold foil. We connected on a physical level. The sex was good, and she was nice to look at. But I see now that what we had was only skin deep.

I feel no spark with this woman either, so I keep running.

Maybe Taylor is right. Maybe I need to put myself out there more. I refuse to do that stupid photo session, but it wouldn’t hurt to try dating again. If I’m being honest with myself, I don’t want to be a bachelor forever. I just need to find the right woman this time. Someone who lights a fire inside me. Someone I can’t stop thinking about.

Then I remember my short stint with dating apps, and a shudder runs through me. One girl ghosted me because she wrote novels for every message and I couldn’t do the same. Another girl catfished me by using her sister’s picture for her profile. That isn’t how I want to meet someone.

I stop running, turn around, and begin jogging home. If nothing else, maybe that photo shoot would be good for a laugh. There’s only one way to find out.

Chapter Two

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