Date 4: A Step in the Right Direction!!

So I arrived at the restaurant exactly on time and was shocked to see how packed it was. I was a bit concerned – how was I going to recognize him? How would I even know he was there? And would it be best to call him if I couldn't find him easily? Or would he call me? As I was stressing over the answers to these questions (stressing for all of .2 seconds), I made eye contact with him. There he was – sitting at a table right near the door. Casey is MUCH cuter in person than in his photos (What is with these guys on the site not posting their best photos??? Is that only a girl thing?). Anyway, I walked over and we hugged and sat down (he was already sipping a beer) and we immediately started talking. I can’t even remember everything we talked about, but there was never a single lull in conversation the whole night.

Again, he was very complimentary of my smile and how genuine I came across in my profile (and seemed to be in person). He also talked about how much he really enjoyed our first conversation. I said the same, that I’d enjoyed it too and that the second time we spoke I was actually in a pretty foul mood when he called, but noticed I was much happier when we hung up the phone. We talked about going out on a second date and places we’d go. At one point, he reached across the table and took my hand ever so briefly, just to make a point. It caught me off guard, but also was really nice and kind of electrifying.

At 10:45, nearly 4 hours after we’d met there, we were both exhausted and ready to call it a night. He wouldn't let me pay the bill – but said I could buy him a drink the next time we go out. We got out to the parking lot, and he was parked directly adjacent to the restaurant/bar. I ended up parking in one of the overflow lots, so he said he would walk me to my car. As we were walking, he took my hand. When we got to my car, I hugged him, and then it just somehow led to a kiss. I don’t remember who kissed whom, but I do know it was Casey who took the kiss to the next level of kissing. So we kissed in the parking lot for a minute or so. I pulled away and for some reason, I couldn't really look at him! I think I was just caught off guard by the entire thing.

So after saying good night (I hope I remembered to thank him!) I got in my car and he was already walking away. When I pulled out of the parking lot and into the street, I saw him look back – which I thought was kind of nice.

He’s heading home this weekend to check on a few things there (he has people renting out his town home) and visit his family – so I won’t see him this weekend and probably not next week before I go to London. So I’m not sure what happens next.

It was funny – at one point in the evening, I think he confused me with another woman he’s met on the Site. We were talking about nationalities and he was like – “I know you told me that you’re Irish and German! But I can’t remember what else!!” Ironically, I AM both of those, but I know for a fact that we never had that discussion. So I played it off and didn't call him out on it and he was none the wiser.

So, it’s the morning after the date and I’m feeling OK about it – just OK. I know I had a great time, he’s cute and nice and funny (really funny, in fact). But something’s holding me back – and I’m not sure if it’s me being guarded and not wanting to let someone “in” and risk getting hurt, or if I have reservations about him and our compatibility. The rational side of me knows I need to just CHILL OUT and go with it and see what happens. I guess I can also feel good about knowing I got the "first kiss" of my new singledom out of the way!