We opt for the Starbucks around the corner. I order my usual skinny mocha vanilla latte and note that he goes for black coffee, super manly. As for food, we both get glazed donuts. At least he’s not also one of those protein bars, healthy-eater types. I mean, nothing wrong with keeping a healthy diet and exercise routine, but I can’t stand extremists. Julia sort of is a food extremist, but of course, I still love her. She’s my sister; I have to.

“You always get black coffee?” I ask, as we sit at a table by the window.

“No, sometimes I venture into the wild lands of cappuccinos. Why?”

“Just trying to learn your habits. We should know these things about each other since we’re”—I make air quotes—“dating. Skinny mocha vanilla lattes are my poison, and I prefer Starbucks.”

“So you order fat-free milk, but a side of glazed, fried pastry is okay?”

I shrug. “Coffee tastes as good without the fatty milk and sugary syrup. Can’t say the same about donuts.” And to show my appreciation, I take a huge bite.

Diego smiles. “Duly noted.” He rolls his coffee cup between his hands a few times, turning pensive.

“What?” I prompt him.

“Can I ask you one last time why you’re doing this?”

“I already told—”

“Yeah, you need a date for the holidays. But… can I be honest?”

“Sure.”

“Before getting to know you, I thought you had to have a major issue that scared men away or something, but spending the last few days together, you don’t seem that…”

“Crazy?” I supply. “Well, thanks,” I say, irritated.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to insult you. I only want to understand why a woman like you needs to hire someone to be her date.”

My nostrils flare. “And by ‘a woman like me’ you mean?”

“Beautiful, smart, with a successful career, and with no clear social awkwardness… You shouldn’t have any problems finding a man the traditional way.”

That mollifies me a little… Did he really call me beautiful? I stop myself from asking for confirmation and answer his question instead. “The problem isn’t that I can’t find a boyfriend ever. It’s that I’m single right now while my baby sister just got engaged, and that’s going to point an even bigger bullseye on the lack of that diamond ring on my finger. And this year, I can’t bear it.” I leave out the why. “Also, I don’t want to be in a relationship for the sake of dating, and my job makes it hard to put in the time to find that special person.”

And being in love with my sister’s fiancé doesn’t help, I add in my head.

“So you prefer to hire your dates off a catalog.” Diego tries to keep a straight face, but the corners of his mouth twitch.

“Now you’re just making fun of me.”

He finally lets the smile take over his mouth, and gosh if he isn’t a sight to behold when he smiles like that. “Sorry. I thought my mom was scary with her constant nagging about me needing to settle down, but you make your family sound so much worse…”