They met on the app in April, shortly after her twenty-ninth birthday. It was the lack of polish that attracted her to Colin. His photos were blurred, taken on an out-of-date phone, and showed a life that moved between friends’ apartments, North Beach bars, and weekend walks in Pacifica or Marin. There was a distinct absence of physical prowess that she warmed to; most of the men on the app seemed to be screening women for an Ironman, but with Colin there were no 5 a.m. surfing shots or victory poses at the summit of El Capitan. She liked his eyes, which were tired, like he was used to trying his best. Colin seemed safe. This time, she thought, this time it will be different.
