COURTSIDE HEARTS

Chapter 2

I met someone on kisses, I just met someone. We have known each other for all of three hours but he seems different

Rihanna’s eyes widened, a smile spreading across her face. “Ooh, details please!” she said, leaning forward in her chair. “Tell me all about him!”

Ava took a deep breath and then launched into the story of how she had met this man online. She described their exchanges, and how easy and natural it felt to talk to him. She told Rihanna about how he seemed different from the other men she had met online, and how he seemed like someone who could be special.

Rihanna listened intently, a smile on her face the entire time. When Ava was finished, Rhianna leaned back in her chair and said, “Wow, that sounds promising. So, are you going to meet him in person?”

Ava bit her lip, a flicker of nervousness crossing her face. “I don’t know. I mean, we’ve only been talking online for a few hours. Isn’t it too soon to meet in person?”

Rihanna nodded thoughtfully. “It’s a big step. But it sounds like you’re excited about him, and it could be fun to meet him in person. And it’s always best to meet sooner rather than later, otherwise you run the risk of building up the idea of him in your head, and then the reality can be disappointing. But only you can decide if you’re ready to take that step,” Rihanna said, her voice reassuring and supportive.

Ava took a deep breath, thinking about what Rihanna had said. She knew she was right – she had been burned before by meeting someone in person who didn’t live up to her expectations. But there was something about this man that made her feel hopeful. “I think I want to meet him. I’m just not sure how to go about it.”

Rihanna nodded. “Well, what about meeting for coffee? That’s a low-pressure situation, and it’s easy to leave if it’s not going well. Plus, coffee shops are usually pretty busy, so it’s not as awkward as being alone in a restaurant. And if it goes well, you can always extend the date and go do something else,” she said, her face lighting up with excitement.

Ava couldn’t help but smile at Rihanna’s enthusiasm. “That’s a really good idea. Maybe we could meet at the coffee shop near my apartment, so it’s convenient for both of us. And if it goes well, we could walk over to the park across the street and enjoy the weather,” she suggested. “It’s important to pick a place that’s comfortable for both of you, but also gives you options in case things go well and you want to extend the date.”

“That’s great advice,” Ava said, feeling a little less nervous about the idea of meeting in person. “Should I give him my number, or just keep chatting through the app?”

Rihanna paused for a moment, thinking about the question. “I think you should give him your number, but also be clear about your boundaries.

“You should let him know that you’re happy to give him your number, but you don’t want to be texting or calling 24/7. Just let him know that you want to take things slow and get to know him better before you get too involved,” Rihanna suggested.

Ava nodded. “You’re right. I don’t want to rush into anything, and I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. I just want to see if we’re compatible, and I think meeting in person is the best way to do that.”

Rihanna smiled. “I think you’ve got a great plan.

“Networking can be really fun, especially at happy hour events,” Rihanna said. “It’s a great way to meet new people and make connections. You never know when those connections will come in handy.”

Ava smiled, feeling a bit more optimistic about the happy hour. “Maybe I’ll even meet someone new to talk to. Do you think I should dress up for it?”

“I think it’s always best to dress for success,” Rihanna said. “You want to look your best and feel confident. That way, you’ll be able to make a great impression on everyone you meet.”

“I think you should wear something that makes you feel like a million bucks,” Rihanna said. “And don’t forget to smile! A genuine smile can go a long way in making a good impression.”

“You’re a veritable wealth of wisdom,” Ava said, smiling. “I feel like I’m getting a makeover from ‘What Not to Wear.’”

Rihanna laughed. “I’m flattered! But really, I just want you to be the best version of yourself. You’re already a great person, so let’s just make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.”

“Oh, you’re not playing around!” Rihanna said, laughing. “You’re going all out. I love your confidence and enthusiasm! You’re going to slay this event.”

“Thanks, Rihanna,” Ava said, feeling more confident by the minute. “I’m going to go home and figure out the perfect outfit. I want to look like a million bucks, just like you said.”

“That’s the spirit!” Rihanna said. “I can’t wait to see you at the event, looking like a total boss.”

Rihanna knew how to slay and she was going for the face and body category. “Face and body” was a common saying among Rihanna’s group of friends, referring to the importance of looking and feeling good from head to toe. “Face” meant having flawless makeup and glowing skin, while “body” meant wearing a killer outfit that made you feel confident and powerful. Rihanna had mastered the art of “face and body,” and she was always happy to share her tips and tricks with her friends.

Ava was one of Rihanna’s closest friends, and she was so excited to help her prepare for the happy hour. “Let’s make sure you’re looking and feeling your absolute best,” she said.

After work, Rihanna hurried home, eager to get ready for the happy hour. She took a quick shower and did her hair and makeup, taking extra care to ensure that she looked and felt her best. She chose a chic outfit that made her feel confident and stylish. She wanted to make a great impression at the event, and she knew that the right outfit could make all the difference.

Once she was ready, she took a deep breath and gathered her things. She was excited and nervous, but ready to take on the happy hour with grace and style.

She couldn’t wait to see what Ava had done with her advice, she had a flask in her hand. She wanted to get a bit hyped and what better way than alcohol?

She got her keys as Rihanna drove to the happy hour, she couldn’t help but wonder what Ava had chosen to wear. She hoped that Ava had taken her advice and put together an outfit that would make her feel confident and powerful. Rihanna knew that the right outfit could make a difference in how you felt and how you carried yourself.

When she arrived at the happy hour, she scanned the room for Ava. Finally, she spotted her friend in the corner, looking stunning. Ava’s makeup was flawless, and her outfit was perfect. She looked like a million bucks, just like Rihanna had hoped.

Rihanna walked over to Ava, a big smile on her face. “You look amazing!” she said, hugging Ava. “I’m so proud of you for putting yourself together like this. You’re going to kill it tonight.”

Ava blushed, feeling flattered by Rihanna’s compliment. “Thank you so much,” she said. “You look amazing, too! We’re going to have the best time tonight.”

They both grabbed a drink and found a quiet corner to chat in. As they caught up, they realized how much they had missed each other and how much fun they were having

Just as they were getting into a deep conversation, a man approached them. He was tall and handsome, and he had a friendly smile on his face. “Hi, ladies!” he said. “Mind if I join you?”

Ava and Rihanna looked at each other, a bit surprised by the interruption. But they both smiled at the man and said, “Of course, please join us.”

The man introduced himself as Andrew, and he asked them what they did for a living. They told him all about their careers and their lives, and he seemed genuinely interested in what they had to say.

Just then Ava looks at him again and says.

You remind me of someone.

A man I had just started talking to.

Andrew raised an eyebrow, a curious look on his face. “Oh, really?” he said. “You’ll have to tell me more. I’m intrigued.”

Ava paused for a moment, wondering if she should continue. But something about Andrew’s friendly demeanor made her feel at ease. “Well,” she said. “I met this man online, and we started talking. But then he stopped replying to my messages. I was just starting to like him, and then he disappeared.”

“Ouch,” Andrew said, wincing. “That’s a real bummer. Did he give you any indication of

Why did he stop messaging you?”

Ava shook her head. “No, not really. It was a bit of a mystery. I had thought we were hitting it off, but then he just stopped replying. It left me feeling a bit confused and hurt.”

Andrew nodded sympathetically. “That’s tough,” he said. “It can be so hard to deal with rejection, especially when it comes out of nowhere. You start to wonder if there’s something wrong with you, or if you did something to turn them off.”

“Exactly!” Ava said, relieved to have someone who understood how she felt

Rihanna listened attentively remembering an ex from her teens who ghosted her. She had blamed herself for not being worth it.

As Ava and Andrew continued to talk, Rihanna’s mind drifted to her own experience with being ghosted. She remembered how confused and hurt she had felt when it happened to her. She remembered blaming herself, thinking that she must have done something wrong. But over time, she realized that it wasn’t her fault. The other person could not communicate what had caused the problem.

Rihanna looked at Ava and Andrew, realizing that she could relate to what they were talking about. She felt a sense of connection and understanding, and she was grateful to be part of such a supportive conversation.

Ava and Andrew continued to talk about their experiences with ghosting, Rihanna began to wonder if this was something that happened more often than she realized. She started to think about all the stories she had heard from friends and family members who had been ghosted, and she began to wonder if there was a way to prevent this from happening.

“Do you think there’s anything that can be done to prevent ghosting?” she asked, interrupting the conversation between Ava and Andrew. They both turned to look at her, curious about what she had to say.

“What do you mean?” Andrew asked.

“I mean, do you think there’s anything that people can do to make sure they don’t get ghosted?” Rihanna clarified. “Like, is there a way to tell if someone is going to ghost you, or is it just something that happens randomly?”

Ava and Andrew looked at each other, considering Rihanna’s question. “I don’t know if there’s a surefire way to prevent ghosting,” Ava said thoughtfully. “But I think being open and honest from the start can help.”

“I agree,” Andrew said. “If you’re upfront about your intentions from the beginning, there shouldn’t be any surprises down the line. But sometimes people change their minds, or they’re just not as interested as they thought they were. It’s hard to know for sure if someone is going to ghost you or not.”

Rihanna nodded thoughtfully. “I guess that’s true,” she said. “It can be really hard to predict what someone else is thinking or feeling.”

“That’s exactly it,” Ava said. “We can’t control how other people act, but we can control how we react to their actions. If someone does ghost you, it’s important to remember that it’s not a reflection of your worth. It’s just a sign that they’re not the right person for you.”

“That’s a really good point,” Rihanna said. “I think sometimes we can take ghosting too personally when it’s just a sign that the other person isn’t right for us. It’s important to focus on the people who are in our lives for the right reasons.”

“Totally!” Ava said. “I think that’s a healthy way to approach dating and relationships in general. We should focus on the people who make us feel good about ourselves and add value to our lives, rather than worrying about the ones who aren’t interested. It’s all about quality over quantity, right?”

“That’s so true,” Rihanna said. “I think sometimes we can get caught up in the numbers game of dating, like how many dates we’ve been on or how many matches we have on an app. But the reality is that what matters is the quality of our relationships, not the quantity.”

“Exactly!” Ava said. “It’s not about how many dates you go on or how many people you meet. It’s about finding the right person who makes you feel happy and fulfilled.”

“It’s Rihanna gasped as the drink spilled down her front, the cold liquid soaking through her blouse. She looked up at the woman, her expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance. “What the…?” she began, before the woman spoke.

“Rihanna!” the woman said, a nervous smile on her face.