Author's note: Long time reader, first time writer. English (UK) spelling. Enjoy!
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'I'll see you tomorrow' I texted Nils.
'Looking forward to it' he responded.
What began as something to do while passing the time waiting for my luggage ended up with me scoring a coffee date with Nils. I was back in Amsterdam, where I lived for a number of years before moving away recently to take up what I had thought would have been my dream job. Unfortunately, grass was not greener once I got to the other side and I was looking for a... distraction before facing good-natured jabs from my friends for moving away.
I turned on my online dating app was soon as I arrived at the airport. After swiping left on a few profiles -- profiles with too many group photos (I'm not playing where's wally), gym selfies, questionable photo choices (blurry photos or ones with a band on their wedding finger) -- Nils' profile piqued my interests. He appeared to be quite good looking but most importantly, his profile showcased his interests in travel, music and the outdoors.
We matched shortly after and started this conversation just... flow. We talked about previous places we've lived in and places that we would love to go back (Italy for him; Japan for me) that he felt familiar, not just someone I started chatting with a few hours ago. I only in town for a few days but didn't want to leave without at least a coffee date.
'Hey, I'm enjoying our chat today. Why don't we take this offline and meet up for coffee?' I proposed.
'I would love that. I could spare sometime tomorrow to meet you for coffee if you're free.' He replied.
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I arrived at the coffee shop the next day and Nils was already there. He stood up when he saw me, raising to his full height and made our 12-inch height difference both pronounced and comical. Even in his casual attire, Nils was handsome -- chiselled features, athletically built and his green eyes conveyed intelligence with a hint of mischief. That same set of eyes briefly glanced down to my 36DD asset and sparkled with interests.
'I'm so looking forward to this coffee date.' I thought to myself
Sometimes online banter can lose its appeal once it goes offline, but it wasn't the case for us. Nils' career in finance has taken him all over the world and working long hours, yet he mentioned of making time for things that are important to him, namely music, travel and family. Conversation started to get slightly racy for a 10am coffee date - good to know that the interests I saw earlier wasn't a figment of my imagination - but Nils apologetically had to cut our coffee date short, as he had to get back to work.
'I had such a great time with you. If you're free later this evening, maybe we can meet up again?' he asked.
A sign of a great date is when a second date is being proposed before the first one end. My schedule was pretty packed but I wanted to see where this goes. We made plans to catch up after he's done with work.
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The bar I suggested was cosy and dark, stocked with Italian liquors that I knew Nils would enjoy. I was early this time, so I sat at the bar with a glass of wine while thinking about the irony that I only met him after I moved away.
A hand touching my elbow jolted me back to reality and I turned around to find Nils standing next to me.
'You look beautiful' he said. I wore a forest green dress with a deep plunge that teasingly glimpse of my purple bra that matches my lipstick and compliments my dark hair.