6. Ashley #3
Laurel laughs so hard she almost spills her drink. “You might not want to start off the date by naming your kids.”
“You think? I was going to suggest Rocky.”
I fiddle with my lighting. I’ve set up a corner of my apartment with a ring light and some background decor that would work for photos and videos, including a vintage movie poster from a flea market. I need it to look aesthetically appealing but still like I’m a regular person.
We draw the curtains, which is a shame because it’s one of those beautiful January days where the sky is clear and the sun is bright, and you can almost forget it’s frigid outside.
Laurel has helped me with videos before, so she’s practically a pro.
I’m not usually into the influencer thing; I’d rather help companies improve their social media presence from the sidelines.
But I’ve done my share of trial videos, so this isn’t too daunting.
Laurel helps with my makeup and some outfits. I’ve been brainstorming what to wear for my videos to disguise myself and finally settled on huge sunglasses and a hot pink wig from Halloween a few years ago. I’m channeling my inner Frenchie from Grease, a role I played in high school.
Time flies by as we take a bunch of photos for future posts and promos, then settle in for my main intro video. We do a couple of takes. I plan to look at everything tonight, then adjust and edit as needed.
“Did you talk to Sebastian about what we discussed?” Laurel asks when we’re finished and moving all the gear out of the way. “About making the app safer and filtering out the creeps?”
“Not yet.” I’ve thought about it a lot and written some notes, but I haven’t pulled it all together. “I’ve got a game plan. Now I need to do some more digging.”
“Like what?” She gives a dry laugh. “We’re already pros in the art of receiving unsolicited booty calls.”
I snort. “I want to go through my inbox and screenshot some of the worst offenders so he has a taste of what we deal with.”
Laurel starts cackling, her eyes even tearing up. “Oh my God. Please tell me you won’t spare the dick pics.”
“Oh, absolutely not. He needs to know.” I almost feel sorry for my friend for what’s coming to him, but I’m not passing up this chance. “Though I might need to bathe myself in bleach after I go plumbing the depths of my inbox.”
Laurel shudders. “If I don’t hear from you by tomorrow, I’ll assume you lost all will to live.”
“I’ll let you know if I come out unscathed,” I reply, then look at my watch. “Didn’t you say you had to leave by five?”
It’s only after Laurel has left that I realize she never told me anything about her bed shopping adventures.
I could have asked, but I’m surprised she didn’t bring it up or ask for feedback on her choices.
Despite coming across as cool and unfazed, Laurel doubts herself a lot; her parents have always treated her as flighty and unserious, and she sometimes needs a push to make a choice or step out of her comfort zone.
Over the years, I’ve helped her make spreadsheets to figure out random decisions like whether to change her car insurance.
I guess she doesn’t need me now that she has Cal.
I sit on the couch, wondering whether there’s more going on than wanting to replace the secondhand queen she’s had as long as I’ve known her. Even if it’s just the bed, this is the first somewhat big decision she’s made in a long time that I haven’t been part of, and it stings a little.
Miss Midtown Reel (with transcript)
Miss Midtown appears on camera with her pink wig and sunglasses, standing in front of several potted plants.
“Hey there! I’m Miss Midtown and I’m here for the dating app Single In The Six.
A little bit about myself: I’m thirty-two, single, straight, and I work in marketing.
I’m a runner and I also love dancing and karaoke, but don’t worry, I won’t start singing live for you, at least not yet!
I’ve been using the app and have met a few guys, but I’ve been on a hiatus from dating for a while to focus on other things.
Now I’m back and ready to document the highs and lows of looking for love in Toronto.
I’ll do my best not to expose the identity of my dates, even if they really disappoint [wink], but I won’t sugarcoat my experiences. I hope you’ll come along for the ride.
“Full disclosure: Single In The Six is compensating me for using their app and running this promotional account, but I promise to be honest about my experiences using the app and meeting men. So for those watching, drop a comment to let me know your tips for making the most of dating apps, and I hope to see you around!”
Comments:
My tip is to have a blast. Don’t take it seriously. It’s just dating.
Don’t limit yourself to one guy or lady. Play the field. Message everyone interested. Trust me, by the time you whittle down to the ones that are interested and not creeps, it’s a small list.
Doesn’t anyone meet people in a bar nowadays? Millennials…
Shameless promotion. What has this world come to, paying influencers to go on dates?