Jake

jake

A cold and driving rain ushered in the new year. spent the day giving his apartment a thorough cleaning and stocking up on groceries for the wintery weeks ahead. After a lengthy workout at the YMCA, he returned home around five o’clock to face the long and lonely evening hours ahead. Normally, he’d invite Jenna over for chili and a movie. Had he made a mistake in insisting on this friendship timeout? Maybe so, but he wasn’t a wuss. He wouldn’t give up on the first day.

heated a container of store-bought chicken noodle soup and sat down at the kitchen counter with his laptop. He created a profile on SoulSync and uploaded a few of his most flattering photographs. He struggled to find the right words to describe himself and felt completely stumped when asked to define his ideal partner.

He remembered what Jenna had said. In order to attract the right type of girl, you need to get rid of the man bun and shave the beard. What type of girl was he looking for anyway? There had only ever been one girl for him, and she was a rare breed—a unicorn.

In the section provided, he described her. Loves the outdoors, enjoys biking, hiking, and taking long walks on crisp autumn afternoons. Must love scary movies, playing video games, and traveling to remote destinations. Must be kind, compassionate, and dedicated to her profession. Should eat healthy and exercise daily. Should have a sense of humor and love sharing laughs. Must enjoy spontaneous adventures, whether a road trip or trying a new cuisine. Must love dogs—or at least tolerate my obsession with them. Must find peace in the mountains, the ocean, or anywhere under the stars.

read over his profile before clicking save. Deep down, he doubted anyone could ever fill those shoes.

As he returned to his routine after the holiday hiatus, paid closer attention to the women who flirted with him. The hippie throwback who walked dogs for the pet owners in his building. The barista at the hospital coffee shop with the circular barbell nose ring that made her look like a rebellious bull ready to charge. The earthy trainer at the gym, rocking unshaven armpits and legs like a badge of honor. He found a few of the other nurses he worked with on the pediatrics floor attractive. Unfortunately, they were all married.

“What type of woman do you see me with?” he asked his coworker Lisa over coffee at the Code Brew on Monday of the second week in January.

“A woman? I always thought you were gay.” Disbelief was etched in her face. She wasn’t joking.

frowned. “Why would you think I’m gay? Because I’m a nurse?”

“Not at all. I know plenty of male nurses who aren’t gay. You’re so private about your personal life, I figured you hadn’t come out yet.”

“I’m just shy when it comes to dating. I don’t have a lot of experience.”

Lisa sat back with her coffee and studied him. “In that case, I think you’d look cute with a petite blonde.”

“I don’t mean physically, Lisa. What type of person do you see me with?”

Lisa tapped her chin in thought. “Hmm. Let’s see. You’re a thoughtful and sensitive person, so you should look for a partner who complements those qualities. What about a pet groomer? Or maybe a fashion consultant at a boutique?”

“Forget I asked,” said, standing abruptly and heading for the exit.

Lisa caught up with him at the elevators. “I didn’t mean to offend you, . Only you know what type of person you should be attracted to. That’s something that comes from your heart.”

hung his head. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot.”

“Not at all. I’m glad you felt comfortable asking me.” Lisa looped her arm through his. “You’re a great guy, . You have much to offer the world. You’ll find the right girl, and she’ll be lucky to have you. Have you tried any of the dating apps?”

He nodded. “I’m working on it.”

“Good! You may have to date a lot of girls before you figure out your type. Don’t expect her to be just like you. My husband and I are living proof that opposites work well together. Find the woman who makes your heart sing. The one who brings out the best in you, even if she challenges you in ways you didn’t expect. Love isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about finding someone who feels like home.”

’s heart sank. The person who felt like home would never feel the same way about him.

When the elevator doors slid open, he offered her a sad smile. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Anytime.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Hang in there, . The right girl will come along.”

When returned to his computer, he was surprised to see a notification from SoulSync. Three women had liked his profile—a fast-food waitress, a Walmart clerk, and a technician at Jiffy Lube. He was hoping to find someone with more ambition. But who could argue with the algorithm? Maybe these were the type of women that best suited him.

That night, after brushing his teeth, he paused to study his reflection in the mirror—something he hadn’t done in a long time. He pulled the elastic from his man bun, letting his sandy locks tumble to his shoulders. His hair was shaggy, his beard unkempt. When was the last time he’d bought new clothes? His jeans were worn thin, his T-shirts faded, and one of his sneakers had a hole. He ran a hand through his messy hair and sighed. Somewhere along the way, he’d stopped caring about his appearance. And he knew exactly when the downward spiral had begun. Nine years ago, during his senior year in college, when he’d made the biggest mistake of his life.

Turning away from the mirror, he slumped against the counter. had postponed the inevitable for far too long. He was utterly miserable. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and found himself distracted at work. A week ago, he’d almost given a child the wrong medicine—a mistake that could have been catastrophic. The ache inside him was deep and unrelenting. Instead of getting better over time, it was getting worse. His heart was quietly breaking, piece by piece, though no one could see the cracks. Something had to give. And the True Love Contest provided the perfect opportunity to finally sever the ties.

Lisa’s words echoed in his mind. You might have to date a bunch of girls before you figure that out. With a deep breath, he pulled out his phone, clicked on the SoulSync app, and lined up coffee and drink dates with several women over the next few days. He didn’t know who he was anymore, let alone the type of woman he was looking for. But staying stuck wasn’t an option. He had to start somewhere.