It was like a scene out of a movie—or maybe a nightmare? As I scrolled through profiles on the app, his face appeared. My heart stopped, and my breath caught in my throat. There he was. The man I’ve known practically my entire life. The one who’s always been so kind, so wholesome. A family man, someone who’d flash a warm smile every time he saw me.

But now? He’s on this app. The kind of app that isn’t exactly known for “making connections.” My first thought was that it had to be a joke, maybe someone catfishing with his photos. But as I read his profile—his interests, the hints of his personality—it was unmistakable. It was him. Married, older, but still him.

I should’ve swiped left immediately. Everything about it screamed wrong. But after what happened last week—being dumped over a damn text—I was already in a vulnerable place. Seeing his face made something stir in me that I wasn’t expecting.

Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was loneliness. Or maybe it was the fact that, despite his age (and the obvious complications), he’s tall, fit, and so much more handsome than I’d ever allowed myself to notice before. He’s older than my dad, sure, but there’s something about him that’s magnetic.

I couldn’t stop thinking: What’s he doing here? What’s really under that wholesome exterior I’ve always admired? And… why am I wondering if I could be the one to find out?

My thumb hovered over the screen for what felt like forever. I knew this could open a door I might not be able to close. But in that moment, logic didn’t matter. I swiped right.

Now I’m here, wondering if anyone’s interested in playing this out. Maybe you’re my married neighbor, my professor, my step-dad, my pastor, or just that older guy I’ve known forever. Whatever the dynamic, I want to explore the tension, the build-up, and what happens next.

If this story intrigues you, shoot me a message. Let’s see where this goes.