I had my date with Jack, the shy engineer last night. I arrived at the restaurant about 10 minutes early and was chatting with a friend when he came through the door, right on time. I immediately ended the phone conversation, and Jack and I shook hands.
He's a nice looking guy, but not hot. Definitely not someone you'd look at twice on the street. He has a nice smile and nice teeth. But, speaking of his mouth, right away, I noticed he was SOUTHERN. I don't mean Southern in the way Casey is Southern (an accent). I mean SOUTHERN in borderline redneck Southern. I had trouble understanding what he was saying sometimes because his accent was SO thick.
We were seated at our table and it was very evident that he was really nervous. I had flashhbacks to sorority rush in college - I felt like I was carrying the conversation. I asked him questions and when we had the awkward lulls, I was the one to save us by coming up with some sort of question or comment to keep things rolling.
He's an interesting guy - is finishing his basement, loves riding his Harley, is passionate about his job, has run a marathon in Japan. But the whole time, I never felt a spark. In fact, throughout the entire meal, our waiter was cracking me up! He was likely more into Jack than me (if you know what I mean), but I found myself having a better time chatting and bs'ing with the waiter than with my date - definitely not a good sign.
For the meal, Jack and shared an appetizer and each ordered a beer. I was a bit put off because he ordered the exact same entree that I did, and then ordered the exact same dessert. They had pumpkin ice cream - I was dying to try it and it was amazing!! He then suggested we share the dessert, which I agreed to because it was a much better idea. I just thought all the "I'll have the same thing" ordering was a bit odd. That, coupled with his shyness (which came off as a lack of confidence) was kind of a turn-off.
Being a true Southern gentleman, he paid for dinner (which could NOT have been cheap) and would't hear of me helping out with the tab. I felt a bit bad about that, knowing I wasn't digging him and feeling confident that a second date was very unlikely.
We walked outside and I waited for the valet to bring my car - all the while I was trying to keep the conversation afloat and ensure that the goodbye wasn't too awkward. When my car arrived, we hugged and I thanked him for a nice time. I was careful not to say anything about seeing him again.
When I got home, there was an email from him:
Hey Nay, I just wanted to let you know I had a good time tonight it was great to see you in person. Have a great week and let me know if you would like to get together again sometime.
Ugh. Of course he wants to get together again! He probably felt like the most interesting and fascintating person in the restaurant because he and his life and interests were the center of the entire evening's conversation. I haven't replied, and am not sure how to tactfully say thanks, but no thanks. Suggestions, anyone?
On a Casey-related note, he called me during the day yesterday and left a voicemail that he hoped I was having a great day and if I had time, to feel free to call him, as he was out to lunch doing errands. I didn't have the chance to call him back, so I emailed him that I'd call him when I got home from "a dinner" that night (I told him I had a friend's birthday dinner - a safe and minor fib) and he replied that night when he got home (as I was waiting to meet Jack). He's just funny - and it's so refreshing. I called him when I got home and we talked for over an hour. Time just seems to fly when we're on the phone.
A funny side note - Casey has TERRIBLE cell service in his apartment, so he got in his car and drove around so we could keep talking. I thought that was pretty entertaining and kind of sweet. He wanted to see me this week before I leave, and I nicely let him know that I had a lot going on, but that I hoped we would email while I was oveseas. As long as he can slow down with some of the physical stuff, I definitely see myself letting my guard down with him, bit by bit. It's kind of exciting!!
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