Stephen, the unattractive virgin. “I’m here if you need me beautiful.”

Mara shuddered when she read the message from Stephen Cann.

<I’m here if you need me beautiful>

He was some dork she’d been unfortunately grouped up with on a professional development retreat. Chubby, ugly; he reminded Mara of that ‘M’lady’ meme guy if only just a little bit better looking. Thankfully Stephen never seemed to have owned a Fedora or had the good sense to wear it anywhere around here. Stephen would be that far into the friend zone if Mara even thought of him as a friend. He was just some ugly, fat puppy that never got the hint. The poster child for “Nice guys”.

Stephen would pop up in her DM’s every few days with some new cringe-inducing compliment about how pretty or funny Mara was. She was never going to sleep with him. Mara doubted he’d even had sex in his life. Just 30 long years of living in his mother’s basement drinking Mountain Dew and playing World of Warcraft she thought.

The reason Mara kept him around was the same as all pretty women did. To satisfy her own vanity and feed her narcissism.

Mara was feeling particularly sorry for herself. That desire for reassurance and blind worship was the reason she found herself even opening Stephen’s DM and messaging him back.

<Hi Stephen. Sorry I’m not good right now.>

The puppy leapt at her treat of attention.

<Aww I’m so sorry darling! Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all.>

Hugh was gone. Mara could invite Stephen over to grovel at her for a time. That might cheer her up or at least make her feel desired and validated once again.