The Awkward Coffee Encounter

So,as you all should know, I am pretty newly single.  I say "pretty" because the break-up happen sometime around February, and I'm still struggling with it from day-to-day.  Some days are better than others.  Yesterday was such a day.  I was feeling particularly motivated. I was at Caribou, I was writing, I was in a dress, life was going my way!  So I got my Black Mango iced tear (delicious!), and I turn to go sit down.  Then I saw him.  He was a very good-looking tall man with dark hair and a nice start of a scruff.  To be fair, he looked a bit like my ex (clearly I have a type. . .).  So I sat next to him and started to work on my writing.  Well, after I finished my tea, my friend came to visit me after her shift finished up at work.  I pointed out the cutie at 3 o clock and she quickly agreed that he was quite the looker.  So we tried to come up with a plan to talk to him.  I figured, "Why not?"  I figure it's a step in the right direction anyways.  Even if it results in nothing, I can't say I tried and there is honestly nothing really lost in this battle.

So mysterious stranger gets up and goes to the bathroom.  The chance to strike, right?  Well, let's not forget I'm awkward girl to the nth degree.  I start stumbling to pack up my things and my friend runs for the napkins.  I quickly start to write down my number onto one of them.  The plan?  Toss it on his table and get to the street.  Problems with this plan?  I have a large laptop in my bag and there are quite a few people surround this scene.  So, of course, he finishes faster than usual and the plan is a failure.  I walk with my friend to the door and she encourages me to do it anyways.

"Guys like confidence and this will clearly show him that you are that kind of girl!" she points out.  This is a true point.  And there isn't really anything to lose. If he rejects me, it'll sting for a moment and then I'll move on.

So I go up to him and smile and hand him my number and say, "I just wanted to know I thought you were pretty cute."

He looks up at me and grins and say, "Thanks!"

I can feel my whole expression shift and my eyes snap.  Oh no.  This man is not swinging for my team.

I turn on my heels and dart out of there, dragging my friend into the street.

We had a good laugh about it, and it really does make a great story.  I'm sure I flattered the man, but wow I really to encompass the word, "awkward".  Looking back on it, I really should have waited to hear him voice before jumping the gun.  He may have looked like a very good-looking straight man but his voice would say otherwise.  It's a wonder that he didn't add the word, "Sweetie" to the end of the sentence.

Alright, I better go get breakfast.

~ E. M. Peterson