Finding The 10

15 - Tinder Dates

Eli's pov

The bar is at its usual pace tonight. The regulars drift in and out while some new comers filter through for a few drinks. It's a Thursday night so I don't expect it to get any busier than this.

Marco and I are running the bar tonight and I have to bite my tongue to stop from telling him all about the other night.

I know that I can't tell my best friend what happened with his cousin but he is also the one I usually talk to about these things.

A black haired beauty is sitting at a table with her back to me and I immediately think that maybe it's Frankie. She turns to talk to her red headed friend and I see her profile and feel the disappointment rush through me. Clearly, it's not her.

I keep wondering what Frankie is doing right in this moment. Is she still kicking back watching anime? Did she go out to meet up with friends? Is she sound asleep? It's after 10pm so anything is possible.

"Hey, are you ok?" Marco asks pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah. Why?"

"You seem like you have some stuff on your mind."

"I'm ok." I lie. "How's the party planning going?" I quickly say to change the subject and take the spotlight off me.

"My mum has completely taken over planning the engagement party so it's in just over a month. And according to her we have to get married within 6 months or its rude or something. Beth and I have just sort of let her do her thing for the engagement for now."

"Oh man, sounds like your mum is gonna throw a massive party with heaps of people you don't know." I laugh.

Marco's eyes grow wide as he nods wildly.

"She is inviting everyone I have ever met. Along with family I have never heard of. You would think I was her only child."

"Well, you are her only son."

"She is driving me insane already. You are so lucky you don't have a massive family like Frankie and I."

The sound of her name brings her face into my mind. Her sweet smile and smokey eyes. Her jet black hair and olive skin. I have to fight the smile that wants to show just from thinking about her.

What the fuck is wrong with me? She doesn't like me like that. The kiss was a mistake, she said so herself. I have to forget about her in that way.

"I also have a confession." Marco adds while pouring a beer for a regular customer.

I raise my brows and cross my arms against my chest but say nothing. What is Marco up to?

"I signed you up for Tinder." Marco blurts out.

I keep my face expressionless as I process what he has just said.

Tinder. The notorious hook up app disguised as a dating app. Is he serious?

"I know it's more of a hook up app but I have heard people meeting the love of their life on there." Marco tries to explain but I remain motionless.

"I just thought that it would help you to get out there more. Maybe go on a few dates. Get laid and amp up your searching. What's the worst that could happen?"

Marcos words echo is my mind.

What's the worst that could happen?

I think about how stupid this entire idea is and how unlikely it is that I will find the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with but in the end I smile at my best friend.