Chapter 8:

First Crack

The date was a disaster from the appetizers onward.

Her name was Lauren smart, attractive, worked in advertising. We’d matched on an app and the first few texts had been promising. But sitting across from her at the upscale Italian place, all I could think about was how forced the conversation felt. She laughed at my jokes a beat too late, talked nonstop about her yoga retreats, and kept checking her phone under the table. By the time dessert came, I was counting the minutes until I could leave without seeming rude.

Outside the restaurant, she leaned in for a kiss. I went through the motions...