The Single Man's Guide To Finding Love In The 21st Century

By Joy

Back into the dating scene after a painful heartbreak, socially awkward Travis Callendale was hesitant until his friends set out their guide for him to finding love. They go to hilarious extremes at getting him a date. He may be good-looking but he's going to need more than just good looks to find love.

Lexi Cooper, talented young chef in New York, had her fair share of bad dates and was now looking to focus on her career. Things hadn't been particularly easy after her mom died yet the girl was strong-willed and determined to make it in life, even if that means excluding any perfect match that came her way. The handsome but socially awkward Travis was an interesting character and she couldn't help but draw closer to him.

He will soon find that sometimes love is there right under your noses when you're least expecting it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joy
• Release date: Jun 13, 2020

Joy

Love writing :)

Book preview

The Single Man's Guide to Finding Love In The 21st Century.

By Joy

Distributed by Smashwords

Copyright 2020 Joy Yee Sian Min

All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To God, family, friends and loved ones, I love you.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - First, Get Yourself Out There

Chapter 2 - Try Not To Get Lost

Chapter 3 - Eli's Guide: Wait At A Café, Read A Book and Wait For The Love Of Your Life To Walk In

Chapter 4 - Noah's Guide: Do A Photoshoot, Set Up Your Dating Profile; Swipe Right, Swipe Right, Swipe Right!

Chapter 5 - Eli's Guide: Get A Cute Dog, Bring It To The Park, Wait For Girls

Chapter 6 - Travis' Guide: Try Not To Mess Up Any Conversations With The Opposite Sex

Chapter 7 - Travis' Guide: Don't Hang On To The Past

Chapter 8 - Noah's Guide: Score The Date, Wow Her and Make Her See You're The Dream Man From Rom-Com Movies

Chapter 9 - Travis' Guide: Potential Date Or Not, You Can Still Be Good Friends With Them

Chapter 10 - Eli's Guide: Find A Girl Where You Work or Where You Volunteer, Work Together on a Super Important Project and Develop A Connection

Chapter 11 - Noah's Guide: It's Alright To Look Around Because You Guys Aren't Exclusive (Yet!)

Chapter 12 - Travis' Guide: If You Accidentally Fell In Love With Two Girls At The Same Time, There Is Always One That Syncs Most With Your Heart

Chapter 13 - Noah's Guide: Seal The Deal And Get Your Best Friend A Date Too!

Chapter 14 - Lexi's Guide: Just Be Honest With The One You Love

Chapter 15 - Eli and Noah's Guide: Fight For The One You Truly Love

Chapter 16 - Lexi's Guide: It's Alright Even If Things Don't Work Out

Chapter 17 - Travis' Guide: Tell Her You Love Her

Chapter 1 - First, Get Yourself Out There

Samwise Gamgee gave another cry to Frodo, Reach! as Frodo looked at him earnestly holding on to edge of the crater. Falling rocks and the glowing molten lava lay waiting at the bottom for Frodo's demise anytime now. Fear flashed across his face as he knew his end might come. Soon the music entered into a crescendo as Frodo could only look back, big blue eyes staring right into the screen with a creased forehead. And then-

SLAM!

Travis Boyd Callendale looked up from where his laptop screen has been, to see his friend's face now in front of him, frowning.

Hey Gollum, his friend said, a firm hand on the back of the laptop, Were you even listening to a single word I've said?

Travis could only stare at him blankly. He only remembered what Samwise was saying earlier when he told Frodo to reach. Then scratching the side of his face and running his hand over his brown hair, Travis asked, Sorry, were you were talking to me?

Noah narrowed his eyes at him and gave him a death stare.

"Were you talking to me? Noah mocked then exclaimed, Yes, I was talking to you, He threw up his hands in frustration, Or did you tune out when Eli announced he was going to pick up his girlfriend from the airport?"

Now? Travis looked out the window; the sky looked pitch black. He didn't realize that the sun already gone down. The last time he looked out the window, it had still been sunny. Not only that, the bowl of chocolate ice cream had begun to form a warm mass of marbled brown soup. It felt like he had only just begun to enjoy his day off from work when Noah interrupted his Lord of the Rings marathon. And at the very last scene too.

Noah shook his head, causing his blonde hair to ruffle only slightly, Come on, I'm taking this, he pulled at Travis' arm and quickly stole away his laptop, Now you get changed before Eli gets here with Meghan.

What for?

Did you really not listen to what Eli said earlier? We… Noah oscillated between pointing a finger at himself and then back to Travis, are going out tonight. We planned something very special for you, my man. And also, it's a Friday night and you're home watching Lord of The Rings.

I like Lord of the Rings, Travis frowned, gazing longingly at his laptop well tucked under Noah's arm. He was beginning to get annoyed, I was just at the ending when-

Noah rolled his eyes and forcefully pulled his friend up from the couch, Oh, please, we all know how it ends. You've watched it a million times now…COME ON!

Wait- Travis tried to protest but he was already rudely shoved to his room and given the order to 'get out of the sweatpants, comb that ugly hair and put some nice cologne'. The door was soon slammed in his face and Travis stood in the silence.

He sighed. Eli was always the gentle soul, ready to encourage a friend in need; if you needed a little pick-me-up, Eli was your guy. That, and also, he could literally pick you up at his height at 6ft5. Noah, on the other hand, was the one to 'rip the bandage off' or 'add salt to heal a wound.'

And out of the two roommates/best friends, Noah would be the one to drag him by the ear. And with good reason too. Ever since college, Noah would always be the one to drag them all out to late-night parties so they could meet girls. Popular blonde blue-eyed Noah with his good looks and charm would be flirting with some girl he met the day before while the tall, tanned and ever-friendly Eli would be hanging out with the rest of the gang. Travis preferred sitting in whatever place he could find, observing the party.

It was always scene he had grown accustomed to; people dancing near to where the speakers were, chatting at the side, disappearing upstairs, queueing up at the bathroom (often only 1 bathroom was available) and people bringing in supplies upon arrival. Once in a while, Noah would come in and check on him, bringing his date over and introducing him to the girl's best friend. He couldn't say no because Noah was already giving him the 'eye' and motioning for him to just 'say something.'

When the dull conversation was over, he gingerly made his way to the kitchen, where the best part of the house was. Stocking up on chips and dip and bringing it to an empty corner of the stairs; he was in his own little world. In fact, it was there that he had met his girlfriend, or now ex-girlfriend.

You'd better be changing in there! Noah cried out from behind the door, as if reading his mind.

Yes, sir… was a grumbled reply. But Travis was always quick in getting ready. In fact, Emily always said he was almost too early to pick her up for their dates.

Emily.

Just thinking about her brought back painful memories. 3 lost beautiful years. Travis couldn't stop thinking about her beautiful smile, her laugh, her touch and the way she rolled her eyes when he told her corny pick-up lines. She brought him out of his little world and exposed him to the world outside. She had a mind of her mind, challenging the world around her and often challenging his often to the point where they'd argue all the time. When they apologized and made-up, it was all passionate again. Two seconds later, the peace ended and the fights begun.

Everyone around them knew things were toxic between them; with her often tearing him down with her words. In fact, Noah hated her, consistent in making faces when she was around, telling Travis he could do better and sometimes outright arguing with her. Eli could only offer a sympathetic smile as he gently told him that she really wasn't right for him. Then again, love was blind. It was a miracle they even lasted 3 years.

Soon, the time came when she said she wanted to end things. When the break-up happened 6 months earlier, his friends were rejoicing. For a while, he was too, singing when Noah was singing and dancing when Noah was dancing. Then suddenly reality sunk in and he begun to miss her. So much. He begun to feel the emptiness and the strange feeling of being apart from her. The usual brunch spots and cafes they used to go to didn't feel the same anymore. Stepping inside the same café, he'd paused when they asked if he wanted to dine in or have the cake to-go.

And now, he still couldn't stop thinking about her.

Knock! Knock! Knock! The sound on the door hit Travis back to earth.

When Noah barged in, he found Travis with his head sunk buried into his hands, saying the words over and over again, I-I can't, I can't…I really can't.

Noah sighed; it couldn't have been that easy to drag him from 6-months of social hibernation. Travis had fallen too fast too soon. He even fell behind at work and was given a warning. Still, things barely improved. His team members had to pick up the slack for him a few times and his friends hated seeing him like this.

It's over, Travis, Noah picked a forest green shirt and tossed it at him, You can't live like this forever. We can't stand to see you like this.

So don't see me. Travis sulked.

But Noah would hear none of it and he threw a pair of jeans