by Lisa Becker
Click Trilogy
Lisa Becker
© Copyright 2010 by Lisa Becker
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.
This is a work of fiction. All names, places and incidents, other than those which are in the public domain, are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
eBook Formatting by Penoaks Publishing, http://penoaks.com
Contents
Book 1 – Click
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Book 2 – Double Click
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Book 3 – Right Click
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
For SJB, my soul mate, and OJB and MJB, the loves of my life
With gratitude to JR and GSD, for without you,
life as I know it would not exist
With gratitude to mom and dad, for without you, I would not exist
Special thanks to TMZ and LA for their professional expertise
Chapter 1 – Pretty Please!!!!
From: Mark Finlay – January 2, 2011 – 9:03 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Pretty Please!!!!
Thanks for staying late to help me clean up yesterday. You know I just can’t go to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink, streamers on the walls, empty champagne bottles that need recycling, dirt tracked onto the hard wood floors, etc. You know me. ;) You’re a real pal. Oh, Ralph really liked Shelley. He plans to give her a call this week. He really thinks she could be “the one,” but don’t tell her I told you.
Okay. Now to the subject of this email. I know you will think I’m a major loser and a dork – not that you already don’t ;) – but my New Year’s resolution is to try an online dating service and I don’t want to do it alone. I know this year will be a busy one for me, trying to develop the cell phone game sequel, but I also feel like it’s the right time to meet the right girl. Hence, Pretty Please!!!! Come on – it will be a great way to meet new people and you never know, the man of your dreams may be hooked up to a UNIX system right now. Pretty Please!!!!
From: Renee Greene – January 3, 2011 – 9:16 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Have I really gotten this desperate? I know I promised myself that I would try anything if I wasn’t married, engaged, seriously dating, had a prospect or at least a house full of cats, by my 30th birthday. Well, with 25 days to go, do I dive in this way? Help?
Oh, by the way. Ralph seems to think you are “the one.” One night stand is more like it…Tee Hee! ;)
From: Shelley Manning – January 3, 2011 – 9:38 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Poor Ralphie. Poor stupid Ralphie. Well despite the raging hangover and Finlay’s anal retentive tendencies, it was a great party. But, it’s a party for Christ’s sake. Every time I put my drink down on the table, he was either throwing the cup in the trash or shooting me dirty looks for not using a coaster. That boy has got to light-en up! Talk about panties in a wad. What he needs is a good screw. Which leads me to your question. (Nice segue, huh?) As far as the online dating thing goes…Yes, you are that desperate. ;) I say give it a try. No harm. No foul. Finlay’s right. (Don’t tell him those words uttered from my lips – or in this case from my fingertips! He would never let me live it down!) You never know what might happen. At the very least, you’ll have eligible men taking you to swank restaurants. Hmmm. A whole host of hot and horny single men that I can review, chat with, judge and mock – all while sitting in my office looking very busy. Maybe I should give it a try myself. Lunch tomorrow?
From: Renee Greene – January 3, 2011 – 9:43 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Thank you for your generous contribution to the “Flatter Renee Greene’s Ego Foundation.” Next time, don’t be such a tight wad. Okay, I’ll give it a whirl. But you have to promise – I mean promise on a box of cupcakes and a jar of anti-wrinkle cream – that you won’t tell anyone. Not a soul.
Lunch tomorrow is great. Meet you at Mel’s at 12:30.
From: Shelley Manning – January 3, 2011 – 9:58 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Of course I agree to keep the secret. If I couldn’t keep a secret, then everyone would already know about that time you danced topless on a Cancun tabletop during spring break. I even have the pictures to prove it. Oh yes, there are photos. Multiple photos. They are tucked safely away in a Swiss safe deposit vault. Only two people known to man have the keys. So, you are forever at my mercy. Mwah ha ha ha ha! (Picture me looking really evil with a maniacal tone in my voice as I say that. Much better in person. Trust me.) Now of course if my emails from work are being monitored, I can’t accept responsibility for spilling the beans. But, I think the evil corporate trolls here have better things to do than worry about your dating life. Right? Okay. Gotta go. There is a really hot new senior manager that just transferred here from the New York office. Too bad he’s not in the HR department. I wouldn’t mind being assigned under him…or over him. Whatever his pleasure. ;) Good thing I work in HR and understand the importance of not making harassing, disparaging or inappropriate comments in the workplace. :) Regardless, I’ve got to go through some paperwork with him. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Renee Greene – January 3, 2011 – 11:59 AM
To: Mark Finlay
Subject: Re: Pretty Please!!!!
Sorry so late in responding. Didn’t check my work email over the weekend. My response: Ugh! I’m not certain I want to be with a man that even knows what a UNIX system is. But, I guess UNIX is better than Eunuchs. Ha! Ha! Okay, obviously this situation is making me a bit uncomfortable and as a result I’ve resorted to homonym humor. But I do crack myself up. Okay. I apologize. Please disregard. Okay, I’m in. Feeling a bit desperate, but willing to give it a shot. What do I need to do?
From: Shelley Manning – January 3, 2011 – 2:02 PM
To: Renee Greene
/> Subject: Re: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Okay, so the new guy isn't as hot as I thought. I guess when you get a three-second glimpse of someone walking down the hall through a small glass partition in a conference room, it's hard to make a solid judgment. But, he's pretty cute, in a preppy kind of way. He’s got really nice blue eyes, too. From now on, he will be here to forth known as Preppy Dude. We're going for drinks after work tonight. So, did Finlay pee himself when you said you would do this online dating thing with him?
From: Ashley Price – January 3, 2011 – 4:45 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Convent Bound
Sister Mary Catherine, my old teacher at St. Francis’ Sunday school, had the right idea. I’m convinced I was destined to be a nun, because there is NO ONE GOOD LEFT. I just don’t know what to do anymore. New Year’s was a disaster. Evan and I are over…for good this time.
It started out fine enough. He came by to pick me up and was 20 minutes late. Okay, I thought. I could let this slide…again. But really, is it too much to ask my boyfriend to show up on time, especially when we were going to “the club?” So, I asked him why it was so hard to pick me up on time and it just spiraled from there.
Oh, did I mention that his tuxedo pants were too short? I told him he should buy, not rent, but he just doesn’t listen.
So anyway, we’re arguing in the car and I ask that he please just make an effort. It’s New Years, the annual ball, and he’s meeting all of my parents’ friends for the first time for goodness sake. And I know I’m a little stressed out. I mean, I really want everyone to like him. And what’s not to like, right? He’s smart and comes from a good family. I mean granted, he could do a lot more than be a teacher. I know he likes teaching in the inner city and gets a lot of satisfaction from it, but he could be a lawyer or a doctor. But he’s pursuing his heart, right?
Well, he proceeds to hit on the waitress (a waitress!?!), get WILDLY drunk and PASS OUT in the men’s room. I’ve never been more mortified. But you would have been proud. It was like a scene from a movie. I poured a champagne bucket of ice water over his head and told him we were through. My parents drove me home.
I’m okay now. I realize we just weren’t right for each other. And I know I deserve better. So, I’m giving up on dating. That’s it. I’m resigning myself to a life of loneliness and solitude.
How was Mark’s party? Did you have fun?
From: Renee Greene – January 3, 2011 – 5:00 PM
To: Ashley Price
Subject: Re: Convent Bound
I’m so sorry, Ashley. I know you were really hoping it would work out this time. Don’t give up. There’s someone out there just perfect for you. We all had a good time at Mark’s party. Shelley and I are meeting tomorrow for lunch…12:30 at Mel’s. Why don’t you meet us there?
From: Ashley Price – January 3, 2011 – 5:15 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Convent Bound
I have a lunch meeting tomorrow. Besides, no offense, but I just don’t think I could stand to hear more of Shelley’s sex-capades. Especially not now. Just reminds me that men come (yes, pun absolutely intended) and then they go. Sorry I’m so depressing. I’ll call you later.
From: Mark Finlay – January 4, 2011 – 2:33 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Site Selection
Great! Glad you will embark on this journey with me. So, I’ve investigated the top 20 online dating sites on the Internet and culled the list down to the best four for you.
Now you’ll need to choose from there based on this list of pros and cons I prepared.
Dating World
PROS: They have thousands of members locally or globally in case you want to meet someone in Katmandu. It’s the fastest growing dating site. I even looked them up in Consumer Reports and they were rated #1. It’s also completely free, which is great but has a downside. All of the cheapies come here.
CONS: Well, besides the aforementioned, you have to wade through ads, which makes the service free.
Choose Jews
PROS: All of the men are Jewish. Your mother will be thrilled. All of those nice Jewish boys. She always told me if I only were Jewish, than you and I could be together. Oy! Only $20 a month and you get lots of anonymity.
CONS: All of the men are Jewish. HA! Just kidding. I know how you feel about the pressure to marry a Jew, keep the religion alive, etc.
SciBer Love
PROS: Does scientific matches. (Hence the SciBer instead of Cyber. Kind of clever, but a bit intellectual. Not sure the masses will really get it.) So you have a better chance of meeting someone who is a good fit.
CONS: No photos allowed. I think online dating should have similar security to the airlines these days, where a current photo ID is required.
Mode
PROS: Geared toward the hip, affluent crowd. This is the site for the beautiful people.
CONS: This is the site for the beautiful people. Not that we aren’t beautiful, but do we really want to limit the dating pool to pretentious, wannabe actors/actresses in LA? $60 a month. Guess they want to weed out the undesirables, or at least the ones with small balance sheets.
I can send you my thoughts on the other sites if none of these seem to meet your needs. I’m still trying to figure out which one makes the most sense for me.
Once you pick a site, you’ll need to write a profile. Profile formats vary by site. You’ll probably need to put in some personal basics, choose from a list of interests and then write some brief essays. Let me know if you have any questions.
From: Renee Greene – January 4, 2011 – 4:59 PM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Mark was quite pleased and in true "Finlay Fashion" - as you would call it - has already reviewed all of the top sites and provided me with a pros and cons list of each that would be best for me. What have I gotten myself into? Not the online dating thing. No, I'm talking about entering a project with Mark.
You know I love him. Have ever since the 7th grade when he alphabetized my bat mitzvah invitations for me and set up a spreadsheet for me to track thank you notes. But the boy is so ANAL. Have fun with Preppy Dude. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Oh wait. Considering I haven’t been on a date in over a year, that would rule out much of anything fun. And Lord knows, you like to have fun ;)
From: Shelley Manning – January 4, 2011 – 5:03 PM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Fwd: Pretty Please!!!!
Damn right I do!
From: Renee Greene – January 5, 2011 – 8:58 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: The Scoop
So, what happened with Preppy Dude last night? Good time? Do tell. You know I live vicariously through you. Details!!!
From: Shelley Manning – January 5, 2011 – 9:25 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Scoop
Mixed reviews. The good news. Great sex!!! Who knew he had it in him. Or should I say in me. HA! (I think I've been watching too many “Sex in the City” reruns.) Anyway, the bad news: He's a - I shudder the thought - CUDDLER. You know how I HATE that. Why, oh why must such an amazing romp be spoiled by the heinous act of cuddling. UGH! But, I think I can break him of the habit. At least I'm going to try. It would be well worth it. Trust me. Mwah! Mwah!
From: Renee Greene – January 5, 2011 – 9:43 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: The Scoop
How horrible for you. A cuddler.
Sorry. I just don't know how you are constantly meeting these men when I’ve resorted to whittling down my life to a few short paragraphs so as to intrigue a man to want to talk with me further. Sorry. Turning 30 and no one to take me out is a bit depressing.
From: Shelley Manning – January 5, 2011 – 9:48 AM
T
o: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Scoop
What do you mean, no one to take you out? Okay, I'll admit that Finlay IS chopped liver. Well, a goyish version of chopped liver. But, I'm certainly caviar with a mojito on the side.
From: Renee Greene – January 5, 2011 – 9:54 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: The Scoop
I know. You guys are great. Ashley’s coming too, along with a group of friends from work. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I guess when I look back, I always thought that by 30 I'd be married with three kids. And here I am, with a few weeks to go, and I'm not even dating anyone. Okay, pity party of one, here. Sorry.
From: Shelley Manning – January 5, 2011 – 9:59 AM
To: Renee Greene
Subject: Re: The Scoop
So, Ashley’s coming. Great. Miss Priss. That'll make for a fun evening.
But on to important matters. You are a truly wonderful woman and person. You will meet someone. You will get married. You will have your three kids. You just need to have faith and you just need to get out there. You're never going to meet someone sitting at home and lamenting over Derrick. It's been over a year and you haven't gotten on with things. I don't mean to sound harsh (unless we're talking about Miss Priss of course) but it's time for some tough love - not the S&M kind although that could be fun ;) - and I do love you.
From: Renee Greene – January 5, 2011 – 10:05 AM
To: Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: The Scoop
It's PRICE not Priss. You are the devil incarnate. No, I know. You're right. It's just easier to sit at home, eat cupcakes and feel sorry for myself than risk getting hurt. But, it's a new year and a new plan.
From: Shelley Manning – January 5, 2011 – 10:07 AM
To: Renee Greene
