Emma arrived at the restaurant first, a bottle of wine tucked under her arm. She’d seen in his profile that he liked Syrah—why not make it interesting? Mark stepped inside a moment later, scanning for her. She lifted the bottle slightly as he approached. “Figured I’d bring something we both enjoy.” His eyebrows lifted in …
Catherine sat across from David, smiling as he asked thoughtful questions about her recent promotion to Chief Marketing Officer. Their second date had gone better than she expected—he seemed genuinely interested in her work, unlike so many men who had grown distant once they learned about her career success. He even texted her that evening …
Joanna brushed a strand of hair from her face as she surveyed the restaurant. She hadn’t expected to be dating at this stage of life, but here she was. Catching sight of Michael by the bar, she straightened her shoulders—the same adjustment she made before client meetings. They exchanged smiles, and something about his warm …
Susan sat in her dimmed study, opening her AI app. Her cursor blinked in the question box: “Met Richard at Jane’s dinner party. Good guy, interesting conversation, clearly interested. He asked me to meet for coffee. I just don’t know if I’m attracted enough.” The AI’s response appeared: “Many people expect instant chemistry. Would you …
Maria had been looking forward to tonight. After a promising first date last week, David had suggested dinner for Valentine’s Day. She felt a flicker of excitement—maybe this time would be different. Then, this afternoon, his text arrived: “Something came up. Need to cancel. Can we reschedule?” Her stomach dropped. She stared at the screen, …
Three years after her divorce, Diana was tired. She’d tried everything—at least that’s what she told her friends. She kept her dating profile active. She went to her community’s singles events. She said yes when friends offered to set her up. But somehow, each year felt like a replay of the last. She’d start January …
The wedding album fell open to them dancing and looking so happy. Lisa hadn’t meant to find it. She’d been organizing the linen closet when it slipped off the shelf. Now she sat on the floor, feeling the familiar sadness wash over her. “You’ll feel better once you start dating again,” her sister had said …
Sarah laughed as she recounted her latest online dating experience to her friends over coffee. “So there I was, all dressed up for our first meeting, and guess what? He never showed up. Not even a message to cancel!” Her friend Lisa chimed in with the inevitable success story: “My cousin met her husband online …
Margaret smoothed her dress before walking into her friend’s dinner party. At fifty-four, she felt self-conscious at these gatherings. “Maggie! Come in!” Susan embraced her. “You look wonderful. Are you seeing anyone special these days?” Her stomach tightened. “No, not right now,” she answered, hearing a slight apologetic tone in her voice that surprised her. …
The morning Sarah turned fifty-nine, she woke up alone in the house she’d shared with Mark for twenty-eight years. Three months after their marriage ended with a quiet Sunday evening conversation, she still struggled with the silence. Empty rooms that once held the comfortable rhythm of their shared life now echoed with questions she never …