Third Date- Part I

Around this time last year I was theoretically deleting must haves from my perpetually growing must have list.  I had seen the light.  The pressure from friends and wise ones, and all the Oprah quotes that were being spouted by the friends and wise ones had become too much.  It was time to step out and leave my secure imagined world.  

I did it.  I deleted some must haves and behold the number of dates increased.  Of course there were several duds along the way but when the must have list was active I had just as many duds so I've learned that the list didn't/doesn't  really matter (as it relates to weeding out duds).

THE STORY

Here I am on my third date with a man who has/seems to be everything that was on the original must have list.  That's amazing right?

It's a nice date.  Towards the end of it he's asking me a lot of questions and that's fine but I didn't feel like answering them but I answered them- not in a fully giving way but I answered them.  He's talking and I'm listening but really I'm thinking more than listening and I'm wondering WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME.

I was a little bothered because we "ran into a few of his friends by chance."  Now there's nothing wrong with that I suppose.  I mean I'm flattered that he wanted his friends to secretly scope me out and grill me- fine I'll admit it- I WAS ANNOYED when I was conveniently left alone with one of his girlfriends and she began asking a thousand questions as if I had proposed to the man and we were about to elope. 

I guess I went along with it because all involved were decent company and despite the grilling I was having a good time.  I didn't know people still set up "by chance meetings of friends" but I don't know a lot of things...  His friends were nice and he's nice and that matters but the truth is I'm not really interested or am I?  That's where all the wonder began.  

Why am I not interested in this beautiful, beautiful man?  Maybe I am interested and I don't want to admit it.  Our dates have been spread out and our communication has been constant so though it was the third date it felt like the ninth.  That should be good and it was/is but...

Just before the "by chance meeting" of his friends, he looked over at a couple (they were clearly in their own world) and asked, "Do you think that could be us?"  

WHHAAATTT?  This was the turning point...  I had no answer.  I just giggled.  It was all I could think to do.  When I giggle I know I need to run so I did.  I excused myself and dove into the ladies room.  

I calmly stood in front of the mirror applying  lipstick that I didn't need and fixing hair that wasn't out of place- on the inside I was cracking up.  Why did he have to ask that stupid question?   Why did I think the question was stupid?

He has been very blunt from the beginning about what he is looking for so in honesty that question shouldn't have surprised me, meeting his friends shouldn't have surprised me either but both did.

I struck a few silly poses in the mirror and allowed myself to laugh out loud in an attempt to get out of my head and just have fun.  Now I had a little pep in my step.  I just needed a breather.  Time to return to the "date."  

When I came out of the ladies room I was greeted by three of his friends.  Two guys and a gal.  No room to breathe here.  The effect of the poses and laugh wore off immediately.  From crazy question to meeting two of his life long friends and the wife to the closest one.  UMMMMMMMMM...

When the friends went about their business and it was just the two of us again I was too aware of myself and way too aware of how interested in me he is.  SH*T, this was turning out to be the best worst third date I have ever been on and I so badly wanted to give in and let it be the best but the worst had already involved itself so I was stuck...

END PART I