Swipe Left for Love
trouble breathing. She couldn’t wait on Rivot any longer. What if they didn’t offer? What if they did, but it was only part-time? She needed to blanket resumes to every design firm in the area.A quick scan through her system showed nothing had been tampered with. She checked all her social media pages. No unauthorized posts. Then she checked Blind Friends. One new message. As anxious as she was to hear from Guy, she needed to make sure there wasn’t anything in her outgoing mail first. That would be right up Zac’s alley. Sending a random message that made her look insane, totally his style.
But there wasn’t anything there, either.
Macie wasn’t entirely sure if she was disappointed or relieved. Zac had never missed an opportunity to screw with her head before. And this had been a prime chance. It was out of character. Then again, maybe Zac took Lauren and Ford’s request to heart. She hadn’t, but if he was willing to try, she would, too.
There was no way Zac Sparks would beat her at this game. And that’s all this was, a game.
Too many thoughts about Zac and not enough focus on Guy. Macie shook her head to clear it. A move that was both useless and habit. She pressed on the virtual envelope and smiled. It was from Guy. While she’d hoped it was Guy, there was always a possibility that someone else had contacted her through the app.
She read through his message quickly and sat back in her chair. Had he really just said that? It wasn’t a request to meet, but there was an indication he wanted to meet someone. The key word was ‘yet’ and she assumed he meant her. Excitement bubbled in her veins until she swallowed a giddy giggle.
Macie stared at the screen, reading his words slower and with more caution.
Then she began to type.
Maybe. I don’t know though. I’m in the same position as you. I’ve seen people madly in love with one another. And with themselves.
She smiled as she typed because Zac was definitely in love with himself.
But that doesn’t mean there is someone in this world who was crafted just for me. I’d like to think so. I know I’m still young and all that, but I’d be considered an old maid by Jane Austen’s standards. LOL. I suppose I should keep the dream alive. If not, I may never meet him. Wow, that’s depressing. Honestly, I shouldn’t be thinking about this right now, anyway. I need to focus on school and graduation.
Taking a break from reality sounds great. Unfortunately, my reality includes sending out more resumes this week. The company I interned for this past semester hasn’t come back with an offer. They said they’d let me know by graduation, but I can’t wait that long. If they don’t offer, then I’m up a certain creek without a paddle. So I’ll be grinding away at building my next life. One day, I’ll relax. One day, I’ll take time off to smell the roses. Unfortunately, that’s not in my near future.
Can I ask you something? Which looks as stupid in text as it sounds in person, but still... Have you landed a job yet? I know that’s personal and all, so you don’t have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable. It’s just that I’ve heard a lot of others panicking that they haven’t found anything. The market’s tight and it’s a little scary. So, yeah, I just thought I’d ask. And I feel like an asshole for asking, but I’m not going to delete the question. That wouldn’t be me. And me IRL would bluntly ask.
She almost signed her name. Almost.
After pressing send, Macie pulled her resume up. She sent it out to every graphic design firm in Lafayette. She still had two weeks on Rivot, but she putting her eggs in one basket wasn’t going to work. And there was another avenue she hadn’t tried. Her mentor, Dr. Byrd, had suggested the local news stations. He even gave her a lead that the PBS station needed somebody. Macie glanced over it, making a few adjustments to the verbiage. She then pulled up her portfolio and rearranged a few graphics, removed a couple, and replaced them. Working at a TV network wasn’t her dream job, but it was a job. She opened her cover letter and rewrote it with the station in mind. Then she copied it into the body of an email, attached her resume and portfolio, and sent it off.
The stress of the job search weighed on her more than anybody knew. She couldn’t go back home. That wasn’t an option. Too many classmates, teachers, and alleged friends had expected her to come home with her tail between her legs, and that was the last thing she wanted. Macie had let that part of her life go. It was time to move forward not back.
Her phone dinged a text message. Macie smiled when she saw it was from her mother.
I’m proud of you, kiddo, it read.
Macie thumbed the six-year-old smartphone. Thanks, Mom. Love you, too.
She said a little prayer. She couldn’t fail.
CHAPTER FIVE
It had been three days since Macie sent her resume off in another round of desperation. Crickets were louder than her phone. The only bright spot over the last week was Lauren. Every single thing Macie did for the wedding was exactly what Lauren wanted. Except for one problem. Lauren wanted the bridal shower to be co-ed. Macie winced, but she didn’t hesitate to change the invitations to “Wedding Shower” and add Ford’s name to it.
Then Ford insisted Zac help Macie plan the party. Macie gritted her teeth and agreed. Because that was what Lauren wanted.
“It won’t be that bad,” Lauren said across the table. They sat in the small dining room of Lauren and Ford’s one-bedroom apartment. It was a cookie-cutter place with a small fireplace in the living room; a dining room that fit a four-person table,