Don’t Date Where You…
I had a momentary epiphany this past weekend, and it all stemmed from something I swore I would never do. I gave out my number to a customer at work. I know, I know, it sounds cheesy- I said the same thing to myself. And it’s not something I do on a regular basis EVER, but I did.
Working in his favor- he was Scottish, with a charming accent, and a soccer coach who proudly showed off pictures of his team. This gave him the charm of a hot dad without all of the baggage.
He was out with two newlywed friends who were in New York for their honeymoon, who I also loved, and he chatted my ear off anytime I came to check on them. At first I ignored it as harmless, and when he asked what time I got off work I made up an excuse of having to be up early the next day.
But as the evening went on and conversation continued to flow I thought, why not? What’s the harm in hanging out with this guy who I’ve practically had an entire first date with, whose friends completely vouch for him as a good guy, and who persistently continues to pursue me?
I agreed to take down his number, so that if I was feeling up to it when I got off work I would call and meet up with them for a drink. And then, just because I was feeling adventurous, I slipped mine into their check when I dropped it off at the table.
Within five minutes of walking out the door he was text messaging me from around the corner that he missed me and that I had to meet them. I tried to be as discreet as possible, not telling any of the girls I work with where I was going (because, although I had convinced myself it was okay, I was still a little embarrassed). In retelling the story later, I tried to justify it with the story of Matt Damon meeting his wife as a bartender, while my good friend countered with some Nascar driver who married a Hooters waitress. Gotta love the support.
I met them at a little Irish pub down the street with a live band, where they were definitely a few drinks in. My “date” was the star of the dance floor, a strange cross between Jim Carrey and Lord of the Dance that was both endearing and cringe-worthy. He informed me that the waitress had been hitting on him (strange turn of events), and that he’d told her his girlfriend was meeting them later.
From that point on I relished the role. He was incredibly attentive, checking on whether I needed a drink and holding my hand, and it struck me how happy I was to be out feeling like part of a couple. I don’t know if I’ll hear from him, because he lives in Philadelphia and was pretty upset when I refused to let him come home with me (sorry, I agreed to have a drink, not a slumber party), but I have him to thank for the first good night kiss I’ve had in a while and the reminder of what I’m looking for.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:17 pm
aaaw… That is so great. I am happy for you
[and insanely jealous]