Natasha Keys was so blessed, according to other people, but she wanted something else besides fame. She was a world famous actress, and also a bikini model for Sports Illustrated, but she didn't need all of that. All she wanted was love. She had met guys at parties she went to, but they were all the same, shallow and only looking at the body. She was tired of all this and actually wanted to meet someone who was serious but also charming. That was why she downloaded the dating app Love Finder.

"Michael, I need my swimsuit, they're shooting pictures in two hours, and I need my makeup, and I need to get dressed," Natasha yelled to her personal assistant. Michael Jones came running into the room, arms full of guitar picks, and a stressed look on his face.

"I'm sorry, Natasha, I've had an incredibly busy day today, but I'll try to keep up on stuff,"

"It's okay," Natasha responded, "but what are you holding?"

"Oh, this," Michael looked down at what he was holding, and then held it up. Guitar picks were strung together with clear string, forming a tiny bikini top, and an even tinier bottom.

"This is getting ridiculous," Natasha sighed, "Whatever, give it to me." Michael left to allow her some privacy to change, and came back later.

When he got back, he saw Natasha and couldn't take his eyes off of her. The too small guitar picks showed off her body in only ways that other women would usually see, and her makeup job was stunning.

"You look amazing," he told her.

"Well, whatever gets some food on my plate," she responded begrudgingly. Then it was time for the photo shoot.

After everything was done, Natasha ate lunch and checked her phone. She had five hundred matches on Love Finder. Maybe using her real name wasn't a good idea. She scrolled through the bios, and looked at each man's picture before deciding on one.

"Would you like to go out for dinner tomorrow?" she asked. Immediately he responded.

"Yes!"

So it was on, and Natasha started getting ready for her first date.

On the other side of the town was a twenty-nine-year-old woman, Thea Granville. She was practically invisible, according to her friends and family who knew her best. She wasn't a common house that anyone spoke of, not like Natasha Key; she wasn't even really renowned for anything significant. Thea was a real estate agent, selling homes for the most reputable firm in the tri-state area. Her friends mostly knew her for her charitable nature, as she donated her time to work at the local food bank. Despite their differences, Natasha Key and Thea Granville shared the same dream of finding love. She was tired of putting her life on hold, always drowning herself in work. In her former years, she bogged herself down with studying and extracurricular activities after school. Maybe it was just a convenient excuse. Whatever it was, she never made the time for dating until. She was tired, but she also felt like she was at a complete loss on how to advertise herself as an available bachlorette looking for love, let alone gather the courage to ask someone on a date.

She confided in her older brother Lukas and his fiancée Hailey about what was bothering her, and that's when they suggested that she download the Love Finder. She'd heard about the app, but she couldn't remember where. Until she watched Hailey and Lukas share a quick glance, hinting at a secret little nothing while blushing in giddy bliss. 'Ah, that's right...' she thought, smiling to herself, 'that's where adorable idiots found each other.' She loved those two to pieces. Hailey seemed to fit so well with Lukas that she could've sworn they were soulmates.

Drawing out a deep sigh as she sat in her chair, "Fine, it's worth a shot. What's the worst that can?" She smiled, her body radiating a nervous excitement, "Listen. Hailey, I'm not too picky about appearance. I really want someone with a good personality... someone who wears their heart on their sleeve. Oh, but not someone who looks old enough to be my grandpa. I'm not that desperate.

Hailey giggled mischievously, "Hahah, yeah, yeah. I get ya, Thea.” She said, clapping a hand on Thea's shoulder, “An average guy with an impeccable personality is still quite a great catch…” She giggled again, looking up at Lukas with a teasing expression. He let out an exaggerated groan, rolling his eyes playfully. “But I agree, I sure as hell wouldn’t want to date a guy that’s twice my age. It’s not like we live in the past where women had to marry old bastards for security.”

“Oh, yeah… Old bastards.” Thea didn’t tell Hailey, but she was open to dating women as well.

After a few minutes, Hailey handed Thea back her cellphone with a sparkly turquoise phone case. “There, you’re all set up.” The phone dinged, and before she knew it, dinged again, “Oh really, you’ve got a match.” Hailey exclaimed, feeling happy for Thea.

Thea stared at the screen like it might explode.

Age: 30.

Occupation: Model.

Bio: Coffee enthusiast. Dog person. Terrible cook. Looking for something real.

“The Natasha Natasha?” Thea asked faintly.

Hailey squealed, grabbing Lukas’s arm. “OH MY GOD. YES. That Natasha Keys.”

Lukas leaned over, squinting at the phone. “Huh. I thought models only dated other models or, like… mirrors.”

Thea groaned and sank lower into her chair. “This has to be a mistake. Why would someone like her swipe right on me? I sell houses and volunteer at a food bank. My idea of fashion is ‘clean and not wrinkled.’”

Hailey shook her shoulders firmly. “Stop it. You’re smart, kind, and you’re beautiful in a real-person way. Also—” she grinned wickedly, “—she messaged you first.”

The message was simple.

Hi Thea 🙂 You have a great smile. Want to grab coffee sometime?

Thea’s heart tried to escape her ribcage.

Two days later, Thea stood outside a small café on the quieter side of town, smoothing down her dress for the fifth time. She’d chosen something safe: soft green, knee-length, nothing dramatic. Her hair was down, natural. No glam. Just her.

You can do this, she told herself. She’s just a person.

Then Natasha Keys walked in.

She was unmistakable—but not in the intimidating, billboard way Thea expected. She wore jeans, a black sweater, and minimal makeup. Her hair was pulled back loosely, a few strands escaping around her face. She smiled when she saw Thea, and it wasn’t polished or practiced.

It was warm.

“Thea?” Natasha asked.

Thea stood a little too fast. “Yes—hi. Hi.”

Natasha laughed softly. “Wow. You’re even prettier in person. I was worried I’d recognize you and forget how to talk.”

That helped. A lot.

They ordered coffee and sat by the window. For the first few minutes, Thea waited for the moment she’d feel small. The moment Natasha’s world would feel too big, too glossy, too far removed from hers.

It never came.

Instead, Natasha talked about her dog stealing socks. About how exhausting constant travel was. About how lonely hotel rooms could feel, even when everyone thought you had the perfect life.

“I feel invisible sometimes,” Natasha admitted, stirring her coffee. “People see the image, not the person. It’s… isolating.”

Thea blinked, surprised. Then she smiled—slow, genuine. “I know exactly what you mean.”

And just like that, the nerves melted into something else.

They talked for two hours. About work. About family. About love—carefully, honestly. Thea didn’t hide who she was, or what she wanted. Natasha didn’t pretend she had everything figured out.

When they finally stood to leave, Natasha hesitated, then said, “I had a really good time. Would you want to do this again? Maybe dinner?”

Thea didn’t overthink it this time.

“I’d really like that.”

Natasha’s smile widened.

As they stepped outside into the late afternoon light, Thea realized something important.

For the first time in a long while, she wasn’t putting her life on hold anymore.