been one to turn down chocolate. I started to accept it, but decided I wanted a whole one. I pointed to the plate for her to pass me my own.
Angela accepted the other half of Lisaâs brownie. âI like how I look every day. I know itâs not necessarily what guys would think is beautiful. So itâs my best, but not their best.â
Iâd had enough. âWhy donât we glam ourselves up and auction ourselves off on eBay? I canât believe weâre having this conversation. I can see worldly women talking like this, but not Christian women.â
âWhat do you suggest? Iâd love to hear your plan,â Lisa said, with Angela nodding in agreement.
I looked at Nicole for support.
She shrugged. âI got nothing.â
âThatâs what I thought,â Lisa said. âWhen you come up with a better plan, let us know. Otherwise, you can remain dateless, while we put ourselves out there to be found.â
Lisa typed on her laptop. âCheck out my matches so far on eHarmony. I deleted most of them because they didnât meet my requirements, but there are still a few Iâm thinking about communicating with. I like this one the best so far. Only problem is, heâs in D.C.â
Curiosity got the best of me. Lisa turned her computer around, and I looked at the screen. A gorgeous cutie smiled back at me. I read his profile. Lawyer, committed to God and serving in his local church. Last good book he read was The Audacity of Hope . I had to admit he looked interesting.
âWell?â Lisa asked.
âThere has to be something wrong with him.â I looked down at the screen again. âA good-looking lawyer in the Chocolate City who canât find a woman? Please.â
âMaybe heâs like us. Maybe heâs looked and canât find the right one. Maybe heâs tired of dating chicken-heads and gold-diggers and is hoping the computer will match him with someone more suited for him. Maybe heâs shy and doesnât approach women well. Who knows?â Lisa looked down at his picture and raised an eyebrow. âIâd say itâs definitely worth finding out.â
Angela chimed in. âWhat can it hurt? At worst, itâs doing research to see whatâs out there and whatâs available. Maybe the black man crisis isnât as bad as we think. Iâve seen a lot of seemingly nice guys online that are successful and available. Maybe thereâs more of a problem of hooking up than anything. If nothing else, itâs a fact-finding mission.â
Nicole rolled her eyes. âThere goes Angela, researcher extraordinaire. A science project for the sisters, huh?â
Angela nodded, looking like she was proud to be helping the race. âYeah. I like the way that sounds, Nicki.â
I shook my head. âSorry. I just ainât down with it.â
Lisa waved her hand in disgust. âDo you, then. We promise to pick nice bridesmaidsâ dresses that you can wear to other events.â
I made a face at Lisa. Nicole put her hand over her mouth to cover up her laughter, and I made a face at her, too.
Lisa said, âTell you what. You try your way. Weâll try our way. Weâll talk next week about who weâve met and perhaps even had a date with. Weâll see what works. I think we should at least try to meet one guy a week.â
âOne guy a week?â My mouth dropped open. âIf I could meet one guy a week, I wouldnât be sitting here with you guys on a Friday night.â
Angela looked intimidated, too. âYeah, thatâs a lot, Lisa.â
âIâm not saying you have to have one date a week. Iâm saying at least have some interaction with one guy just to find out whatâs out there. Have a phone or email conversation. Even your silly five-minute dates. If youâre ruling out one guy a week, it shouldnât be long before you run across a worthwhile guy. Right?â
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