Thirty-seven earned some bonus points by cleaning up hay bales at a church event I organized and sending his roommate to my salon for a haircut, so I told him I owed him a couple of drinks. We made dinner plans, and I chose a restaurant based on the location and food (soul food home cooking, yes please!). I bought his drink at the bar while we waited for our table and we admired everything that this restaurant had happening - funky music, great furniture, random 80s dance movies playing on the back wall, and a jazz band (seriously this place won me over in 5 seconds). When we were seated and got our menus, I started backpedaling in my head about the place because the average meal was $20; seriously if a meal is over $12 I better have leftovers for a couple of meals.
The evening was filled with a balance of easy conversation, which is saying a lot since I tend to take over the talking sometimes. I gave myself a mental high five for avoiding the friend zone when he mentioned that he had gotten out of a 5-year relationship several months ago. Typically my reaction would have been to ask concerned questions (in my head I was repeating, "Do not ask, do not ask." because a lifetime of romantic books and movies have educated me not to talk about exes on a date, and things always work out in those stories. I also thought about saying, "I'm the perfect rebound girl because I don't think I'm looking for a relationship" but I decided that wasn't the best response.), but I side-stepped that urge and the conversation transitioned elsewhere. When it was time to pay the bill he insisted on paying and pointed out that I had bought his drink; in my head I was thinking, "Eeesh, this is so expensive!" but I let him pay. I really am trying to avoid friend zone territory with this guy.
At the end of the evening we parted ways at our respective bus stops, and he asked if he would see me that weekend at Amnesia (the bar where we first met and where mutual friends were DJing), and I told him there was a strong possibility. We hugged goodbye, and I stepped on the bus feeling great about everything.
Friday came and I decided dancing and flirting at Amnesia were definitely in order, so I invited my friend Raul who lives nearby and is always up for dancing and being my wing man. Thirty-seven was there surrounded by a swarm of people, some of which I knew. I made room for myself and Raul and made introductions. I was having a great night dancing around and not worrying about Thirty-seven. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to talk to him the whole night, but it was nice to see him having fun with his friends. However, when I was ready to go I didn't see him. Raul took my coat and waited outside and told me to go find him, so I took my coach's orders but couldn't find Thirty-seven in the crowded bar. Fail. When I was on the bus I texted him "Hey, you disappeared before I could say goodbye. I hope the rest of your night is great!" He quickly replied, "Thanks! You, too!" So I'm not sure what happened there, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can make another date happen.
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