My last client walked out the door. Thank god, this week was finally over. It's not that I didn't like my job, I did. In fact, I loved it. But after five days of listening to other people's problems it was definitely time for me to focus on my own needs. It was Friday night and I was looking forward to a fun weekend. The potential was there.
After three weeks of talking, emailing and instant messaging, Sara and I were finally going to meet -- in real time, in real life. I was excited and a little nervous, but most of all I was afraid it was going to be like all my other online dating site matches -- disappointing. How is it possible a woman can look and sound so good online yet be the total opposite in person? I sat through more than a few dinners wondering what the hell I was doing there and trying to figure out how I could end the night early without seeming rude. The only bad thing about 'making it an early night' was I would have to deal with that awkward goodbye moment sooner. That moment where you have to explain that you would like to see her again, but as friends...that you really liked her and enjoyed the evening, but just didn't feel the spark.
But with Sara I was hoping it would be different. I was banking on my multiple experiences of bad dates to help me do a better job of screening before we actually met. We had spoken on the phone so I already knew I liked her voice. It was soft and sweet and I liked the way she would pause before she would share something personal about herself. It was as if she was considering how vulnerable she wanted to be with a woman she had never met. Some women would bare their souls in the first 10 minutes. By the end of the first conversation I knew about every bad relationship they ever had, their fucked-up childhoods and their hopes for the future, which by that point I knew would not include me. But Sara would only give me little bits and pieces at a time. It wasn't that she was being secretive or shut down, but careful. She knew that once the words were out she couldn't take them back. She was smart, too. We could talk about anything, and did. You could tell she read a lot, her opinions were well-thought out. She was articulate and knowledgeable. She could look at any issue from a lot of different angles and would challenge me, something most people never did. I liked that about her.
We had planned to meet at
Wildflowers
. It was a small restaurant situated on the outskirts of town. It was owned and operated by a lesbian couple. They had put their last penny into the place believing that a gay venue with good food would be a hit in their touristy town. They were right. The place was always packed. I got there about ten minutes early. I surveyed the room. There were lots of couples, a few tables of four, a large table of women who were obviously celebrating a birthday. I didn't see anyone sitting alone. I asked to be seated at the small table for two in the far corner. It looked private and was away from the noisy bunch that were just lifting their glasses to toast the 'birthday girl.' I smiled to myself. There wasn't a 'girl' in the place. Everyone was at least thirty and most a bit older than that.
I took the seat facing the door. I wanted to see her when she walked in. I picked up the wine list and looked at it - more to give me something to do then to make a selection - I knew I would have my usual pinot grigio. Peering over the top I saw her enter the room. I knew it was her. She looked just like her picture. No - she looked better than her picture. This was a first. Her blond hair was pulled back with wisps surrounding her face. I always thought that was a sexy look. She was pretty, some might say beautiful, but it wasn't so much her looks that attracted me, it was her energy. It was obvious even from a distance. She seemed confident and strong, but there was a softness about her that made her seem vulnerable at the same time. She was definitely feminine, and sexy - very sexy. She was wearing a black, low-cut top with a beautiful necklace and earrings. She had on a pair of faded Levis and sandals showing off red toenails. She had a black leather bag slung over her shoulder. She was hot and just seeing her was making me hot.
She said something to the hostess as she looked around the room -- then our eyes met. With a look of recognition a huge smile broke across her face. She had a great smile. Beautiful white teeth. I returned the smile. She turned to the hostess, said something, and then headed to the table. I stood up as she got closer and, as if we had done it hundreds of time before, I opened my arms and we embraced. It was a firm hug, as if we were old friends meeting after not seeing each other for some time. I could feel my excitement level rising. She was beautiful and very sexy. Could this really be happening?
"It's so great to finally meet you -- in person that is," I managed to say as we took our seats. She smiled back at me. "I know," she said, "it's so weird because on one hand it seems like we have known each other forever."
"Welcome to the age of technology -- you can have a relationship with a person before you even meet. I have to tell you that usually these dates are very disappointing. At least that has been my experience, but not tonight. You look better than your pictures - you're beautiful."
She smiled and cast her eyes down with a slight look of embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I've made you blush," I said, but I really wasn't sorry at all. I loved that she blushed. This woman was sweet and beautiful.
"Did you have any problems finding the place?" I asked.
"No, not at all. I put it in my GPS and it took me right here. It took a few minutes longer than I expected, though, there was road construction on 31."
The waiter neared the table with menus in hand. "Can I get you ladies something to drink?" he asked as he laid the menus on the table. "I'll have a pinot grigio -- Santa Margherita, if you have it."
"Yes, of course," he said as he turned to her.
"Me too," she added.
"I can't believe we are really here. I almost thought I would have to cancel," she said. "A client came in right at 5 and wanted to know if I could take her. Normally I would have said no, but she's a regular and her back had really been hurting her. She was in an accident a few months ago and a deep tissue massage seems to be the only thing that helps. Fortunately, my partner was there and said she would take her. I'm gonna owe her now, she had plans too, but said she didn't mind. She was really excited about us meeting!"
"So you told her about me?"
"Oh yeah, she has known about you right from the beginning -- in fact, she is the one who talked me into winking at you."
"You had to be talked into it? That's not good."
"Yes, no, yes... It wasn't you, it was anyone. I told you I've never done this online dating thing before, so the idea of winking at anyone was way out of my comfort zone."
"Well, I am glad you did."
"Me too," she said softly looking me right in the eyes.
Her eyes were beautiful. They were a bluish gray, and big and gorgeous. It may have been her eyes that I was most attracted to. Maybe not, I don't know -- it was the whole package, her eyes, her body, her hair and face, her mannerisms. They were all wonderful.
The waiter came back with our drinks and read us the night's specials. "I'll give you a minute," he said as it was obvious that we hadn't even picked up the menus.
"To the future," I said as I held up my glass. "And to whatever it may bring," she added.
Time passed quickly. Before we knew it the restaurant was empty and we were the only two left. It had been a wonderful evening. We had spoken about everything, laughed, flirted and teased each other just enough for me to know I could have a lot of fun with this woman.
"Would you like to go someplace for a drink? I'm not ready for this night to end yet."
"Sure," she said. "I'm not either."
As we walked toward the door she slipped her arm through mine. "Where would you like to go?" she asked. "Hmmm. You shouldn't ask me that."
"Oh really? Why?"
"Yes, really. Because I don't want to scare you away. This is only our first date."
"I don't scare easily. Try me."
We paused on the porch of the restaurant. It was dark. The outside lights were already turned off. Only the dim light above the sign was still lit. I leaned against the railing and pulled her towards me. She fell into my arms with ease. We fit together perfectly-- we were about the same height -- we were eye to eye, staring at each other. I could feel her breath on my lips as we slowly moved closer. Our lips touched - just barely. I kissed her very gently. Then again. Then a bit harder and longer. Her arms pulled me closer, her strong hands moving up my back. I could feel myself getting hotter. And wetter.
