work
Garrett—I did nothing else all day
Me—I’m heading home now
Garrett—K, see you @ 7
Me—will you be holding a rose?
Garrett—of course, a chocolate one in foil—JK!
Me—thank God.
Garrett—don’t worry I’ll find u
Me—☺
I don’t know how I concentrated on the road, but I returned home in time to jump in the shower and rip apart my closet. After flat-ironing my hair and applying a little more than my usual make-up, I sat on my bed in my robe amongst all the cas t- off outfits. Reality set in. Sure, I’d made a great connection with Garrett. Was I nuts though for going on essentially a blind date?
My gut said doing so was okay because he was a friend of my other new friends, but I wondered if I should’ve been more assertive with Connor. At least with Connor, I’d seen him and felt an undeniable physical attraction. He seemed like a non-serial killer kind of guy. Then again, who really knew? A sickening feeling churned my stomach. What if Garrett wasn’t good looking? I know it’s petty, but at that point, I was in deep self-doubt and panic mode.
At six-thirty, I was still not dressed and about fifty percent sure I would back out. But how could I? I could be honest and say I was too nervous and suggest we both go to the anti-Valentine’s Day Party and meet there, but I’d probably blow any chance. Or maybe he’d see me as a rational person. I was confusing myself further.
If I bailed, I would have to promise myself to make a move with Connor. I couldn’t lose both guys after all this. Both guys I really didn’t know. I couldn’t win by fighting with myself. There was only one thing to do—tell Bree. Maybe if I confided that I was really meeting Garrett, I could learn a little more about him which would either encourage or discourage me. Then I could make an informed decision. I felt so good about this move that I wondered why I hadn’t told her earlier. I dialed as nerves shook my fingers.
“Oh my God, are you so psyched to go out with him tonight?” she answered in an excited voice.
“Of course, but I have something to tell you, well ask you, about him first.”
“What would I know? If you need a kick in the ass to get out the door, remember nothing ventured nothing gained. How about you text me a series of xxx’s if you need rescuing? I’ll be there with excuses galore and whisk you away.”
“Perfect, thanks so much.” This was good. I felt better knowing I had an out, but was about ready to tell her I was meeting Garrett, not Connor.
“It’s almost seven!” she shrieked. “We both have to go, but text me a thumbs-up emoji at eight anyway to let me know everything is okay.”
“Thanks, that’s a good plan. Have fun tonight, good luck.”
“You too!”
Though the call didn’t go as planned, I really did feel better, but was now panicking about the time. Throwing on a gray knit dress and tights I then arranged a colorful—but still not pink or red—scarf around my neck and surprisingly got the arrangement right on the first attempt. I grabbed my coat and headed for the door before I could chicken out.
After entering the address of the wine bar into my GPS, I arrived in six minutes and only four minutes late. I walked in right behind another couple and followed them through the revolving doors to the hostess station beside a long oak bar. They gave their name, and I couldn’t help but look around the dark room. Even with the sparse mood lighting, I saw him. My pulse raced. Not him, but Connor, sitting alone at a high pub table.
Our gazes locked as our mouths both dropped. Instinctively, I walked toward him.
He slid off his chair and met me halfway.
“What are you doing here?” I blurted.
“I was thinking the same thing when you walked in, but then I realized—it’s you.”
“Yes, I’m Andi.” I held out my hand to shake his. “I guess we’ve never introduced ourselves.”
Laughing, he took my outstretched hand into both of his. “No,
Garrett—I did nothing else all day
Me—I’m heading home now
Garrett—K, see you @ 7
Me—will you be holding a rose?
Garrett—of course, a chocolate one in foil—JK!
Me—thank God.
Garrett—don’t worry I’ll find u
Me—☺
I don’t know how I concentrated on the road, but I returned home in time to jump in the shower and rip apart my closet. After flat-ironing my hair and applying a little more than my usual make-up, I sat on my bed in my robe amongst all the cas t- off outfits. Reality set in. Sure, I’d made a great connection with Garrett. Was I nuts though for going on essentially a blind date?
My gut said doing so was okay because he was a friend of my other new friends, but I wondered if I should’ve been more assertive with Connor. At least with Connor, I’d seen him and felt an undeniable physical attraction. He seemed like a non-serial killer kind of guy. Then again, who really knew? A sickening feeling churned my stomach. What if Garrett wasn’t good looking? I know it’s petty, but at that point, I was in deep self-doubt and panic mode.
At six-thirty, I was still not dressed and about fifty percent sure I would back out. But how could I? I could be honest and say I was too nervous and suggest we both go to the anti-Valentine’s Day Party and meet there, but I’d probably blow any chance. Or maybe he’d see me as a rational person. I was confusing myself further.
If I bailed, I would have to promise myself to make a move with Connor. I couldn’t lose both guys after all this. Both guys I really didn’t know. I couldn’t win by fighting with myself. There was only one thing to do—tell Bree. Maybe if I confided that I was really meeting Garrett, I could learn a little more about him which would either encourage or discourage me. Then I could make an informed decision. I felt so good about this move that I wondered why I hadn’t told her earlier. I dialed as nerves shook my fingers.
“Oh my God, are you so psyched to go out with him tonight?” she answered in an excited voice.
“Of course, but I have something to tell you, well ask you, about him first.”
“What would I know? If you need a kick in the ass to get out the door, remember nothing ventured nothing gained. How about you text me a series of xxx’s if you need rescuing? I’ll be there with excuses galore and whisk you away.”
“Perfect, thanks so much.” This was good. I felt better knowing I had an out, but was about ready to tell her I was meeting Garrett, not Connor.
“It’s almost seven!” she shrieked. “We both have to go, but text me a thumbs-up emoji at eight anyway to let me know everything is okay.”
“Thanks, that’s a good plan. Have fun tonight, good luck.”
“You too!”
Though the call didn’t go as planned, I really did feel better, but was now panicking about the time. Throwing on a gray knit dress and tights I then arranged a colorful—but still not pink or red—scarf around my neck and surprisingly got the arrangement right on the first attempt. I grabbed my coat and headed for the door before I could chicken out.
After entering the address of the wine bar into my GPS, I arrived in six minutes and only four minutes late. I walked in right behind another couple and followed them through the revolving doors to the hostess station beside a long oak bar. They gave their name, and I couldn’t help but look around the dark room. Even with the sparse mood lighting, I saw him. My pulse raced. Not him, but Connor, sitting alone at a high pub table.
Our gazes locked as our mouths both dropped. Instinctively, I walked toward him.
He slid off his chair and met me halfway.
“What are you doing here?” I blurted.
“I was thinking the same thing when you walked in, but then I realized—it’s you.”
“Yes, I’m Andi.” I held out my hand to shake his. “I guess we’ve never introduced ourselves.”
Laughing, he took my outstretched hand into both of his. “No,
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