Dating Games(12)

She places her hands on my biceps, her eyebrows pulled down. “Because the Evie I know is a complete badass. And any guy who doesn’t see that doesn’t deserve you.”





Chapter Five





Chloe’s words leave me questioning whether salvaging my relationship with Trevor is the right move. How could it not be? Like she said, she’s the last person I should take relationship advice from. In the five years I’ve known her, she hasn’t been in a single committed relationship. She doesn’t understand the dynamic of a real relationship. It’s all about give and take, being in a partnership. Sometimes one person has to shoulder more of the weight. Right now, I need to do the heavy lifting. I refuse to give up so easily.

Resolved, I step into the conference room, coming to an immediate stop when my eyes fall on the spread of flowers covering the table, cards and chocolate interspersed among the extravagant display.

“What’s going on?”

I want to believe this is merely a birthday celebration for me. It probably started that way, but as I spy the sympathy covering my coworkers’ faces, coupled with the balloons that say “I’m sorry” and “Get Well Soon”, I’m positive that’s not the case.

“It appears condolences are in order.”

Vivian Wood, Editor-in-Chief of Blush magazine, is the picture of sophistication. Then again, I’m fairly certain she could make a paper sack look like this year’s latest fashion trend. Not a single strand of her platinum hair is out of place. She’s in her sixties, but her youthful complexion, devoid of wrinkles, makes it appear as if she’s not a day over forty. She’s slender, dressed in skinny jeans, gorgeous heels, and a suit jacket. I consider myself on the tall side at five feet, nine inches, but that’s no match for Viv. That’s probably one of the reasons she’s remained single most of her life. Her six-foot height must intimidate most potential partners. Let’s face it. The majority of men would feel emasculated standing next to a woman who’s taller than them…especially a woman as confident and successful as Viv.

“Sorry about the breakup, Evie.” There’s an air of authority about her as she strides toward me, a devilish smirk crawling across her thin, pink lips. “Or I should be sorry, but the opportunist in me looks forward to how this will affect your perspective in some of your articles.”

“It won’t.”

Her smile widens. “We’ll see about that. For the past five years, you’ve been writing about sex and dating from the safety of what you thought to be a secure relationship. That’s not the case anymore. Trust me. I’ve been single in this city for thirty years. It’s a jungle out there. I’m looking forward to what new and exciting things you’ll bring to the table now.”

“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”

Chloe snorts a laugh and I shift my gaze to her. “The men in this city are a different breed altogether.”

“She’s right,” Lenora, the editor for health and beauty, offers. I head toward Chloe, sitting beside her on the couch. “Most of them are glued to their phones.”

“And forget about being chivalrous,” Dawn, one of our graphic designers, adds. “I can’t tell you how many dates I’ve been on with a guy who didn’t even open the door or pick up the check.”

Chloe turns to me. “So if you come across a man who takes care of you, go after that.” She winks, an unspoken reminder in her gaze about last night’s mystery man.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say. “And thank you all for your kind thoughts. But honestly, I’m okay. I have a plan.”

“Of course you do,” Viv quips as several other people snicker or groan, accustomed to my quirks. “Evie Fitzgerald, the girl with a plan.”

I suppose after working here this long, she’s gotten accustomed to my idiosyncrasies, particularly my love for plans and itineraries. I’ve always preferred structure. Whereas Chloe loves waiting until the last minute to get her work done, often sending her final piece to Viv mere seconds before it’s due, I work ahead, not rushing anything. Hell, I have pieces I intend to write for the magazine and blog planned out for the next six months. My planner is a work of art, and my lifeline. Structure keeps me grounded, focused.

“Speaking of which, let’s hear what you have planned for the August issue.”

I blow out a relieved breath, happy to concentrate on work instead of my breakup for a moment. With a smile, I discuss my idea of exploring the world of dating in five major cities across the country. An idea that just came to me, thanks to Chloe. Viv thinks it’s brilliant, since she’s under the impression I’ll be rejoining the ranks of single people.

Once she gives me the go-ahead, she continues going around the room, everyone pitching different story ideas for the next issue. She nixes a few, approves others, or reworks some to make them more compelling. Her ability to know a brilliant idea when she hears one has kept her at the helm of this magazine for over a decade.

When I was a teenager, I scrambled to the shelves for my monthly copy of Blush magazine. I always knew I wanted to work in this industry, so I did what anyone with a dream would do. I studied. Working for Blush was the end goal. One I didn’t think I’d ever achieve. It’s continually been the top women’s magazine in the country, always on the cutting edge. While I didn’t see myself offering dating tips, it’s a stepping stone to being able to write things I really want to, things of interest to all women. Reproductive rights, equality, economic justice… Just to name a few.