Chapter 12
COLE
I storm into my penthouse, frustrated by how busy today has been, unable to check my messages or handle personal tasks, and missing lunch with Libby.
It’s now eight o’clock, and I haven’t eaten. With my phone in hand, I’m still replying to client emails.
While I love being an estate planning attorney, since I took over the firm with my brothers, I never seem to get a minute to breathe anymore.
I sign my name off on the last email that requires my urgent attention, hit send, then close my mail app. Everything can wait until tomorrow because I have something more important to do.
I’m on a mission to find Mina.
But first, I need to get out of this shirt and tie that’s felt like it’s been trying to strangle me all day.
After I’ve changed into a pair of shorts, I quickly wolf down some reheated leftover lasagna and garlic bread I made last night, then plunk myself on my black leather sofa that overlooks the city.
I hate this fucking apartment. There are too many windows; it’s too bright and white, far too central, and there is way too much marble and chrome that I am comfortable with.
There is no other word for it other than it’s too perfect, and while my brothers might prefer sleek lines and skyscraper properties, I don’t.
I regret buying this place in a rush when I finished law school, but it was a good investment, and I’ll most likely rent it out.
I’m itching to move into the 1850s Gothic church I bought a couple of years ago, steeped in history.
It took over a year for the planning to be approved.
At one point, I thought I’d have to shelve the entire project and sell it off, but when the city planning department finally approved the third round of architectural plans, and the building permits were issued, I hired a specialist company to do the entire remodel under strict instructions to maintain the character of the building.
With pointed archways, stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and detailed stone carvings of gargoyles and cherubs, the building’s exterior is already painted black.
I intend to replicate this dark aesthetic inside to create a cohesive look, then scatter it with low accent lighting, chandeliers, matte-black iron accents, and heavy velvet drapes.
I know it’s going to have the dramatic, sanctuary-like calm I’m after. It’s going to look epic.
With only a few months until completion, I can already imagine myself having breakfast in a salvaged pew, under ribbed vaults, surrounded by majestic paneling.
It feels like I’ve been waiting a lifetime, but I’ve waited so long already, I know it will be worth it.
I lift the remote off the coffee table, switch the television on, and groan when it’s a replay on the sports channel of an old Golden State Warriors game against the Denver Nuggets, where we lost by a mile, and flick it over in disgust.
My phone buzzes and dings simultaneously, a text message, lighting up the screen with Libby’s name.
Libby
I know I said to go cold turkey on the dating apps, but Storm told me about a new app called Wildcard that just launched. She knows a friend of a friend of the person who designed it. It’s already in the top three in the app chart.
Me
I already have several on my phone. I don’t need another.
Libby
I know, but none of them are like this. It’s different.
Me
Different how?
Libby
Different in that it has a strict relationship-only/no hookups rule.
It’s for career-driven professionals; they match values first, not looks-based traits, and they do blind chats before photos are revealed.
Wildcard is all about “getting to know you” first before seeing what you look like.
It also breaks the dating code. Everything you think you are attracted to, you’ve to stick that in the can.
Forget it. None of that matters. How many blondes have you dated exactly?
Me
Too many.
Libby
Exactly. And lawyers? Stephanie was almost a lawyer. She was a bitch and all lawyers are dicks.
I snort as she teases me and makes reference to Stephanie dropping out of college.
Me
They’re all a shower of rip-off bastards.
Libby
*laughing emoji*
Me
Mina was dark-haired.
And fucking gorgeous. A curveball and completely different from my usual type.
I told Libby all about Mina over a quick coffee this afternoon, when she dropped by my office, and I was between meetings.
The Wildcard app sounds exactly like what I’ve been looking for.
I find that all the other apps I’m on are too surface level, while what I am after is something deeper with someone who wants the same as I do: a relationship.
My one-night stand with Mina has made it clear that I’m too emotional and get too attached; I can’t do casual. I don’t want to.
Libby
It’s application based. You have to apply and wait to be invited. You’ll sail through that, though. I’ll send you a screenshot of the app icon.
Me
Ok.
Not that I need it, I’m sure I would have found it on my own.
A photo arrives in our chat, and I’m instantly drawn to the simple black-and-silver logo with the word Wildcard in elegant lettering.
There are no love hearts and cheesy icons, and I already like the vibe.
Libby
Are you going to apply?
Me
What have I got to lose?
Libby
You never know, you might find Mina on there.
Me
Nathan said the exact same thing this morning.
Libby
Stranger things have happened.
Me
She doesn’t seem to be the type to be on dating apps.
Libby
You don’t seem like the type either, yet here we are. You could choose from literally anyone on a Friday or Saturday night.
Me
In case you haven’t noticed, all my male friends are hitched and don’t go out to nightclubs anymore.
Libby
That’s so depressing. Let’s go out dancing on Saturday.
Me
Yeah?
Libby
Yeah, me, you and Storm.
Me
With me as a third wheel, fuck that.
Now that is depressing.
Libby
It’ll be fun.
Me
I’d totally pick a root canal over that.
Libby
Oh, shut up. It’s a date. Also, it means you can get to know Storm too. You’ll love her.
Me
I hate you sometimes.
Libby
Shut up and get that application filled out, and remember… think different… you want the opposite of your ex.
Me
Someone like Mina?
She was the polar opposite of my ex.
Mina was nice, kind, gentle, and softly spoken, and Stephanie was none of those things.
As a daddy’s girl, Stephanie was overly critical of me and constantly asked for the most luxurious gifts.
If I didn’t get the right model of purse, she would insist I return it to the store.
I didn’t think much of it at the time and learned to accept her for who she was, demanding and a bit of a princess.
My brothers noticed, but they never said anything until we separated.
Over time and with distance, I came to see what they did.
I saw it even more clearly when my mom mentioned how condescending she could be, how she talked to me as if I were a child, and how impatient and irritable she was over minor issues.
All the red flags were there, and I missed every one of them because my eyes were clouded by my naivety and age.
I won’t make that mistake again.
Libby
Yes, someone like Mina. Break your dating code!
Don’t meet them too soon after you match; wait and be patient.
Ignore your deal breakers like occupation and lifestyle choices.
What if she likes surfing and basketball, like you?
Haven’t you always wanted to go to basketball games with a girl?
Have dates there and chat shit about strategy and player stats.
You’d be in heaven, I know you would be.
Go for someone who is more natural and good-hearted, less performative.
What Libby really means is that Stephanie was an actress who could flick the bitch switch pretty quick, turning her from wonderful to wicked in a flash.
Libby
In fact, you know what you should do?
Me
What?
Libby
Just forget it all. No codes of dating, no rules, no boundaries, no stupid laws in your head, just open yourself up for whatever.
That sounds scary. Exciting too, I guess.
Me
Ok, Bossypants.
Libby
I gotta go. But Saturday night we’re going out dancing.
Me
I hate the thought of being a tagalong.
Libby
*be quiet emoji*
Well, it looks like my weekend is going to be fun.
I let out a groan and run my hand down my face, hesitating over whether I should fill out that damned form.
“Fuck it.” I take a leap of faith and follow Libby’s advice to go off the rails and break my dating code, and with no expectations, I fill out the long application on the Wildcard app and hit submit before I overthink it, as I usually do.
Even if the chances are slim that Mina is on the same app, it still seems worth trying.