Eloise

“What are you doing?” Natalie asked as I answered the phone.

“Watching Gilmore Girls.”

“Get changed and meet me and Scarlett at Hellcat Annie’s.”

“I thought Scarlett couldn’t go out because Hannah was sick?”

“Jeff’s flight got cancelled and he couldn’t catch another flight out today, so he’s home and told her he’d take care of Hannah if she wanted to go out.”

“When are you meeting?” I asked.

“We’re on our way now. Claire has a family dinner at her parents’ house, so she can’t join us.”

“Okay. I’ll get changed and head over there.”

“Great. See you soon.”

I really didn’t feel like going out, but I knew if I didn’t, I’d never hear the end of it. I got up from the couch, turned the TV off, and changed my clothes for a night of drinks and laughter with my girls.

When I walked through the door of Hellcat Annie’s, I spotted Scarlett and Natalie sitting at a table. Natalie waved me over when she saw me.

“Hello.” I smiled as I kissed Scarlett’s cheek and then Natalie’s. “Oh, is this for me?” I asked as I looked down at the cosmopolitan on the table.

“Yes. I took the liberty of ordering it for you.” Natalie smiled.

“Thanks.”

I sat down in my chair and picked up my glass.

“How’s Hannah doing?” I asked Scarlett.

“The doctor said she’s teething. She’s been a nightmare lately. She was screaming her head off when I walked out the door. Poor Jeff.” She smirked.

“You don’t really mean that,” both Natalie and I spoke at the same time.

“No, I don’t.” She laughed.

“So,” I slightly leaned across the table, “tomorrow will be the official day I’m kicking off The Chronicles of #Delete on my blog.”

“What?” Scarlett asked in confusion.

“You’re going to love this.” Natalie grinned as she took a sip of her drink.

“#Delete is the new project for my blog. After I go on multiple dates and interview the guys, I will #Delete their ass from my phone.”

“Why?” she asked.

“So she’s not tempted to text any of them when they don’t text her,” Natalie spoke as she rolled her eyes.

“That is not true.” I cocked my head. “I’m changing my game in the dating world. I have given up trying to find the perfect guy who doesn’t behave like a douchebag. I’ll collect the information and then pass it along to my ladies, via my blog.” I smiled. “In fact, I already have dates set up for the next seven nights.”

“All from Match, I presume?” Scarlett spoke.

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

“But why?” She gave me a weird look.

“Why not? My goal is to help empower women when it comes to dating a guy who starts behaving badly. I’m not doing this with the hopes of getting into a relationship with someone. Those days, at least for now, are over until I can get inside the head of a man and truly know what’s going on in his feeble little mind.”

“Wait a minute.” Scarlett shook her head. “Isn’t Match.com a place where guys and girls actually want to meet someone with the possibility of having a relationship? Isn’t that why they join in the first place?”

“Yes. And?” I arched my brow.

I took the last sip of my drink and held my finger up to signal our waitress over to our table.

“I’m headed over to the bar.” A gorgeous man smiled as he stopped by our table. “What can I get you?” he asked as he looked down at my empty glass.

I stared at him from head to toe. Six foot one, maybe two. Sandy brown hair that was perfectly styled. The bluest eyes that could be noticed from far across the room. Eyes that reminded me of beautiful tropical waters. His smile was panty-melting as was the light stubble he sported along his masculine jawline. I gulped.

“A cosmopolitan.” I graciously smiled as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“One cosmopolitan coming right up.” He winked. “Ladies, do you need a refill?” he asked Natalie and Scarlett.

“No. We’re good,” Natalie responded.

The moment he walked away, I let out the breath I’d held inside me.

“Oh my God.” My mouth dropped as I looked at them.

“He’s a hottie.” Scarlett smiled.

“He’s a player,” Natalie spoke. “A guy who you’d fall for in a second, full emotions and all. I see the look on your face, Eloise. It’s already happening! Stop right there!” She pointed at me. #Delete, remember?”

“You’re right.” I put up my hand. “He is a player. I’ve got that whole player vibe running through me.”

“Here you are.” The gorgeous man smiled as he set my drink down in front of me.

“Thank you.” I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. “How much do I owe you?”

“Your drink is on me. The only thing I ask in return is your name.” He smirked.

I swallowed hard.

“Eloise.”

With a smile, he cocked his head.

“What a beautiful name. I’m Christian.” He held out his hand.

I looked at it for a moment with fear coursing through my veins. Slowly lifting my hand, I placed mine in his and lightly shook it while my knees trembled underneath the table.

“It was nice to meet you, Eloise.”

“You too, Christian. Thanks again for the drink.”

“The pleasure was all mine.” He gave me a wink and walked back to his table.

I sat there, staring at him while he walked away as Natalie and Scarlett waved their hands in front of my face.

“Shit,” Natalie spoke. “Eloise, focus!”

I snapped back into reality and inhaled a sharp breath.

“You aren’t that woman anymore, remember?” Scarlett spoke. “You’re on a mission and he’s not part of it. Don’t let the girls who read your blog down.”

“You’re right.”

We talked for a while longer, finished our drinks, and headed home. As I left the restaurant and was trying to hail a cab, I heard someone call my name.

“Eloise?”

I turned, only to see Christian approaching me.

“Hi.” I smiled.

“Hi. Is there a chance I can get your phone number?”

The butterflies in my stomach woke up and filled me with a fluttering sensation that wouldn’t stop. Shit. Shit. Shit. I wanted to give it to him. It was on the tip of my tongue. My heart was screaming YES, but my head screamed NO, and then I thought about my mission.

“I’m flattered you want it, but I can’t give it to you. I’m sorry.”

“You can’t or you won’t?” He smirked.

“I won’t. I just got out of a relationship and I have things I need to figure out.”

“Okay, but who said anything about a relationship? I thought maybe we could talk and meet for dinner some time.”

“I didn’t say I wanted a relationship with you.” I cocked my head. “I’m simply letting you know that I’m not interested in going out with anyone right now.”

His eye narrowed at me as he slowly nodded his head. Fuck, he was so sexy and this broke my rapidly beating heart, for I knew his type, and it was his type that would send me spiraling down into the depths of emotional hell.

“I understand. Have a good night, Eloise.” He held up his hand and hailed a cab for me.

“Thank you, Christian. Same to you.”

I climbed into the back of the cab and Christian shut the door.

“Where to, lady?” the cab driver asked.

“360 West 43rd Street, please,” I spoke as the cab pulled away and I lifted my hand, giving Christian a small wave goodbye.