Arctic Razor

An Unlikely Meeting

I'm not sure if everyone knows, but I've met someone.

It all started last Thursday (August 5th). I was invited to an after work get together with my company's gay and lesbian diversity group. The HR guy was going to introduce me to someone as well, in hopes of our getting along in a more than just friends capacity. The other person didn't know that I was going to be there, so it was a sort of half-blind meeting.

In any case, he was a no-show. It didn't matter to me much, as I neither had my hopes up nor was I expecting anything but nice conversation. However, another individual had shown up - one that I had spoken to previously that I was told liked me more than he was ready to admit. We talked and got to know each other more, but that spark so essential during converation wasn't there for me. I couln't help that, though I did give him my undivided attention during the evening. At the end of the night, the remaining group members decided that they all wanted to go to WeHo the following night for a little fun. I was reluctant, but eventually I agreed to go.

The next night (August 6th), the HR guy and myself drove to WeHo and met another friend of ours there. We were informed that the folks from the previous night were not going to be able to meet up with us at all. So it was HR guy, our friend, and myself. After a while, our mutual friend got tired, and we walked her back to her car. After that, HR guy and I went dancing at a bar/club called Mickey's. I got really thirsty on the dance floor, and asked him if he wanted to get some water. He nodded, and we proceeded to the bar.

As we were heading to the bar, he saw someone that he knew near the patio area. He turned to me and said that he would be right back; he just wanted to say hi to an old acquaintance. I don't know why, but I followed him. He turned around and motioned me to this acquaintance. He introduced us, and when I looked into his eyes to say, "Nice to meet you." and exchange our names, something sparked inside of me.

He was different from anyone that I had met before. But I couldn't explain how or why just yet. He asked me why I wasn't dancing up on the nearby table where some more-than-half-naked man was dancing by himself. I shied away, and told him that I wasn't like that and that I couldn't and wouldn't do anything like that. "You're hot enough to." He said in response. I was shocked.

I couldn't believe what he had said. I had liked him before we even said our names to one another, and now he's telling me that he thinks I'm attractive? No way. This wasn't happening. Not to me. I asked him if he wanted some water and he said that he'd love some, so I went up to the bar and right before I ordered, he was right next to me.

"I thought you could use some company at the bar." He said.
"Uh. Thanks." I turned to him and stepped on his foot (he was wearing flip-flops and I had my boots on). I saw him wince, but he didn't say anything.
"That'll be nine bucks." The bartender said gruffly as he put the water bottles on the bar.
I opened my wallet to reveal only seven. Damn. I handed the bartender my debit card.
"We don't take ATM cards." Is all he said.
"I got this one." My companion at the bar said, as he pulled out his alligator skin wallet and threw down a ten.
"You don't have to..." I trailed off as he smiled at me.
"At least take this five." I handed him a five dollar bill, but he pushed it back against my chest.
"Keep it." he said.
With the water paid, I gave a bottle to HR guy, one to my new acquaintance, and opened one for myself. We took a spot at a table without any chairs to talk alone.

As we started talking, he accidentally spit on my face.
"Oops. Sorry about that." He said with a smile.
Yeah, it was gross, but I didn't want to embarass him. "That's ok".
He lifted up his hand and rubbed the side of my face. I was embarassed more than he was.
"Nice." He said. Though I had no idea what he was talking about.

So we asked one another about work, age, and other basic conversation information. I found out that he lived and worked locally (around where I live and work, oddly enough). HR guy came over and told me that some of our friends (the ones that flaked on us eariler that night) had arrived and I should say hi. I turned to my new acquaintance and asked him what he was doing for the weekend, and he said that he had no plans. I had asked for his number, but I didn't have my cell phone on me. Instead, he flipped out his and took my number down. I asked if he wanted to do something the next day, like lunch.
"Sure." He said with an easy smile. "What time should I call you"?
"Ten".
"Will you remember me when I call you"?
"Of course I will".
With that, we parted. HR guy and the newly arrived friends started to tease me a little bit, but I was ok with it. I was shocked that someone that I liked actually liked me back.

When I got home, it was around 3AM. My phone said that it had a new message on it. When I dialed in to check, it was my new acquaintance.
"I know it's not ten, but I wanted to call to say that it was nice meeting you and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow".
I didn't mind that his call was eight hours early. In fact, I was actually happy with that fact.
We had lunch the next day, as planned. I found that the more that I talked to him, the more that I liked him. However, we don't have a whole lot in common. I guess that's ok - it definitely makes him all the more interesting. After lunch, we went to Borders. We walked around for a bit, got some magazines and CDs, and eventually parted.

I don't know where it will all go, but I do know one thing - I like him. That's all that matters for the time being, right?