My third rum'n'coke was nearly empty, nothing but ice and and a thin layer of cola-flavoured water left in the glass. I sighed and checked my phone for what was likely the thirtieth time, confirming that my blind date was indeed over an hour late. And, of course, no text or message from her. I looked around the nearly-deserted pub, annoyed at the occasional bout of laughter and good cheer.
"Try online dating", my friends said. "At the least, you'll get laid, and maybe you'll find the woman of your dreams." Seemed like a great idea at the time, especially after the nasty divorce and resulting lack of sex. Unless, of course, one counted my dear right hand 'Sally', which I didn't. Sadly, it looked as if I was destined to another Saturday night of solitary personal gratification at the front of my computer. Same as the last several months, truth be told.
I sighed again, debating whether another watered-down drink was in order, or if I should simply go home and begin the same, sad routine. I was terribly disappointed, as "Joanna" had seemed absolutely perfect in her profile. Gorgeous, with a beautiful smile and a very funny profile.
Did she come in, see me, and decide nope, not that loser?
I wondered? My marriage was an unhappy one, and unfortunately my ex-wife had really done a real number on my self-esteem. Getting out of that situation was the best decision of my life, but I was thinking that this blind date was one of my poorer decisions.
My self-inflicted pity party was broken up by a fresh drink being placed in front of me by a well-manicured feminine hand. Surprised, I looked up to see a beautiful woman in a slinky silver dress smiling down at me. "You looked like you could use a refill", she smiled at me as she sat down across the small table, placing a green drink in front of her.
I almost choked at the vision of loveliness before me. No more than thirty, a gorgeous brunette flashed an incredible smile as she took her seat, extending the same hand to shake my own. Her flame-red nails bit softly into my hand as we shook. "I'm Michelle. And you are...?" She obviously saw the shocked look on my face, and laughed softly. "Relax, I don't bite!"
"Uh, I'm James," I managed to sputter, trying (and failing) to stare at this mysterious beauty. "T-thanks for the drink."
She smiled and nodded softly. "A pleasure, James. What had such a good looking fella looking like someone just murdered his dog?"
Good looking fella, what the-?
"I think I was stood up," I said quietly,
some
of the shock wearing off.
