The Trouble With Cupid

Chapter One

Keith was done.

One hundred percent through with the dating schtick. There had to be something wrong with him; it was the only logical explanation. He knew he was decent looking. Keith kept his hair nicely cut and the rich brown color was one he favored, complimenting the bright blue of his eyes. He hit the gym several times during the week, keeping his body fit and in top form. He was no Adonis, but he was healthy. Not to sound egotistic, but it couldn't be his looks.

So it could only be his personality. But even then, Keith didn't feel he was particularly difficult to get along with. He always treated the girls he took on dates right, just the way his parents would have wanted him to. Opening doors, pulling out seats, ect. He kept the topics for discussion light and fluffy, not wanting to go into anything in depth just yet. First dates, even second and sometimes third dates, were for fun conversation. Keith liked to keep people happy, waiting for that reoccurring outing to happen before delving into what really made a person tick.

And yet . . . here he was. Alone. Staring down the entryway of his apartment, listening to the buzz of the fridge as he clenched and unclenched his hands in frustration.

As he toed off his shoes, semi kicking them into the corner, Keith tried to think of every single reason things could have gone wrong. When his friend set them up, Keith thought she would be a pretty good candidate. From what he understood they liked quite a few of the same shows. He liked the gym and she enjoyed runs down at the park. It seemed like things would work out pretty well.

Then the date actually began.

They met up at a little Italian place, a hole in the wall that didn't look like much, but packed a punch in their food. Keith thought it would be the perfect place for a date. Call him a sap, but the lighting and the intimate setting were rather romantic to Keith - and that's what he was aiming for.

As the young woman sat across from Keith, they gave each other appraising glances. Smiles were exchanged and Keith tried to move past the awkward conversation starters as fast as he could. Despite his best efforts, however, eye contact remained limited and the date fell to the disastrous side of things rather quickly.

The table kept silent save for the sounds of cutlery clinking gently against plates, the wine glasses being picked up and sat down. By the end of it, they were both desperate to leave.

Keith wished he could say this sort of date didn't happen all the time. But the opposite was true. Every time Keith tried to date, every time he put himself back out there, he got shut down hard and fast.

He struggled with it sometimes. And every time, he came home to his giant Maine coon cat and cuddled her for the rest of the evening to stave off the loneliness that attempted to creep in.

At twenty-seven, Keith long passed his years of hit and run dates. He wanted a relationship. A real relationship, one that would last.

Groaning, Keith walked past the row of shoes sitting in the short entryway, half wondering if he should move them to the bedroom closet. "Kitty, kitty? Get in here," he called out, laying his jacket over the back of the couch and flopping down on it, hands splayed out to the sides and head leaning back. "Daddy is home and he needs some affection."

A low thud came from his bedroom and Keith let out a small smile as Jinx padded her way out to the living room, summoned by the sound of his voice. Not even having to pat the couch, Jinx jumped up onto his lap and flopped down. Her head landed on his chest and her eyes closed as Keith ran a hand through her fur. Immediately, she began to purr, her orange and white chest rumbling with satisfaction.

"I'm thinking you're going to be the only lady in my life from now on," Keith mumbled to her, nuzzling the top of her head and sighing. Jinx shoved her head under his chin and started to knead his shirt, somehow pressing down into his body as she relaxed.