Chapter 4. Dragons, Unicorns, and Pokémon Are Not Real #2
“Yeah. Most of my friends seem to be in that phase where they’re settling down and starting a family.” Rob’s eyes took on a wistful look. “Anyway, I still have another five to go to before the year ends.”
I gave him a look that said, You must be joking.
“I’m dead serious. Weddings can be a great place to meet new people.
And here’s the best part: Not only can I introduce some eligible bachelors to you, but I can also help you avoid the weirdos and find the good ones.
Guys with similar interests. I can curate a series of personalized dates, guaranteed to give you the greatest chance of finding your soulmate.
” He paused. “Maybe I can even change your mind and make you believe in happily-ever-afters.”
“Nobody can, because they don’t exist, just like dragons and unicorns and Pokémon.”
“That’s not a bad idea, Kim.” Jenna turned to me. “Remember your disaster of a date earlier? And Shane and all those other guys? You need a new strategy. Just hear him out.”
“Okay. Let’s pretend for a moment that I agree to this ridiculous idea.”
“Not ridiculous.” Rob gave me a lopsided grin. “The word you’re after is ‘brilliant.’”
“Why are you offering? What’s in it for you?”
“You’ll be keeping me company, so I don’t have to turn up alone to the weddings.”
“There we go,” I said. “Who’s going to be there that you don’t want to turn up alone?”
Rob was quiet for a moment, the wistful look back on his face, before answering, “Some of the couples are also friends with my ex. If they invited her as well, I’d prefer not to show up on my own.”
“Sorry, but I’m not going to fake date you”—I gestured at Ellie and Alec—“like what these two did last year.”
“I don’t want to fake date you, either. I just want her to see that I’ve moved on.”
“If you want that, it means you haven’t moved on,” I said.
“It doesn’t matter whether I have or haven’t,” Rob said. “My point is, if you accompany me to those weddings, I can introduce you to some single guys.”
I considered him. “What are your qualifications, though? Your success rate? Your methods? Why should I trust your so-called matchmaking services?”
Our friends were watching our exchange with rapt interest, their gazes going back and forth between us.
“First of all, I’m a builder, not a professional matchmaker,” Rob said.
“But I believe everyone deserves a happy ending. Even nonbelievers like you. And I’ve done this before.
I introduced my brother, one of my sisters, and two cousins to their partners, so I know what I’m doing.
It’s the best kind of feeling when you know you’ve helped people meet their soulmates. ”
“How do I know you’re not just making things up right now?”
“You can call my siblings and my cousins to check.”
“For someone who believes in true love, your approach sounds awfully scientific,” Ellie piped up. “What about the excitement and the butterflies in the stomach, those giddy, swoony moments of spontaneously meeting someone new? Wouldn’t Kim be missing all that?”
I couldn’t care less about butterflies and swoony moments, but I kept my mouth shut.
“Excellent point, Ellie.” Rob beamed at her, as if he was a lecturer answering a question from one of his students.
“It may seem scientific, but my approach gives Kim a higher chance of finding someone she can truly click with. People with shared interests are more likely to be attracted to each other, and that’s where the giddy butterflies will happen.
Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Kim gets her swoony moments. ”
I still wasn’t convinced. “How can you be a matchmaker when you’re single yourself?”
“The same way a wedding planner doesn’t always have to be married. Or how an obstetrician doesn’t always have to have kids. Or a dentist not pulling their own—”
“I get the idea.” I didn’t want to be intrigued, but I was. “But why should I believe that you can do what dating apps can’t do? If their algorithms can’t match me with the right person, what makes you think you can?”
“Those dating apps don’t personally know those men in their database. But I personally know the guys I’ll be introducing to you. I’ll vouch for them, confirm they’re not creeps, and make tailored recommendations to give you the best chance of finding someone. It’s fail-proof.”
Jenna did have a point. I needed a new strategy, and this could be it.
“It’s worth a try,” Ellie said. “What have you got to lose?”
“She’s right.” Rob gave me an easy grin. “Five weddings, that’s all you need. You’ll be doing me a huge favor, and I’ll help you fulfill your grandmother’s wishes while proving to you that happy endings do exist.”
“Why is it so important to you, anyway?” I asked. “To prove that true love really exists?”
His face turned serious. “Because I think nobody should ever have to go through what you went through with your ex. One of my sisters was in the same boat once, and it did a huge number on her. It was heartbreaking to watch her go through the aftermath, and it took her a long time to heal and be able to trust someone again.” He broke into a small smile.
“Look, at the very least, you’ll have five fun-filled afternoons guaranteed to wipe that frown off your face. ”
“It’s not a frown. This is my thinking face.”
“I’m convinced, Kim. It’s your decision, but I’d go for it if I were you,” Jenna said. “It sounds so much better than going on awful dates with weirdos you’ve just met online.”
Rob did sound convincing, and I didn’t have much time left. If I couldn’t find anyone by the end of the two years, I’d have to give up the yarn store. And I couldn’t let that happen. Plus, honestly, I was sick of wasting my time with so many less-than-subpar dates.
Give it a shot, a voice reasoned in my brain. What other options do you have?
None. I have no other options, because I’d rather gouge both my eyeballs out with pitchforks than endure another painful online date.
Then do it, the voice coaxed. Go to the weddings and pick one man that’s the least horrible of them all. Date him until the store is legally yours, then break up with him.
Maybe this could work. At least I knew I wouldn’t be wasting time going on one disastrous date after another, and the sooner I found someone to “settle down” with, the sooner I could get this entire ordeal over and done with.
My phone screen lit up, notifying me of a message in the dating app from ODOTD.
HAD A WONDERFUL TIME. TOO BAD YOU LEFT EARLY AND MISSED OUR ENCORE PERFORMANCE. DINNER TOMORROW?
Good Lord. What was even the meaning of those emojis? Did he think the all-caps weren’t clear enough to convey his enthusiasm?
See? That coaxing voice reappeared. Do you really want to spend the next five and a half months jumping from one atrocious date to another?
I glanced at Ellie and Jenna. “Is it crazy that I’m actually considering this?”
“Not at all.” Ellie’s face broke into a huge smile. “I think it’ll be good for you.”
“Just think of all the food at the weddings,” Jenna said. “The music, the wine, the dancing. You’ll have heaps of fun.”
“Rob is an awesome wingman,” Alec added. “He’ll have your back.”
“I am, and I will.”
Do it for Oma and Opa.
“I might be out of my mind,” I said. “But I’m in.”
My friends whooped and cheered, while Rob grinned. “Awesome. I promise we’re going to find your Mr. Right in no time.”