Mr. Mystery Date #100

“Trust me, you’re going to have a blast tonight!!!”

Once again, Maya was over-enthusiastic about yet another blind date she was setting me up on.

What is it with my best friend always trying to set me up with someone?

I held back a groan while sipping my coffee, wishing it was late enough in the day for something stronger.

“He’s exactly your type too!!” she squealed; her smile so big I could feel my own cheeks hurting.

“That’s what you said about the last blind date you set me up with!” I said as I stared at my almost empty mug.

John, the stats analyst.

While my type is someone who is serious and passionate about their career, John was a little too passionate about his career.

“I still have nightmares about him going on and on about stats and whatever else that mathematical gibberish was!”

“But he was so hot!!! I’m surprised you didn’t take him home with you.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. It helped, but it didn’t release my frustration as I’d hoped.

There’s so much more I want from a man than good looks and a night of passion.

“He spent the whole evening trying to explain to me the statics of the sports game that was playing on the restaurant’s television, and the likelihood of one team winning over the other due to… something, I can’t remember. I eventually tuned him out and watched the game. And I don’t even like sports.”

I wish I could honestly say it was the most boring date of my life – but no.

Back in college Maya set me up with one of her classmates.

Ricky, the art history major.

I enjoy art, as much as the next average person who enjoys it. I thought this date would have been fun and I could learn something. Instead, it was 3 hours on the origins of the paint brush.

Did you know the Egyptians used split palm leaves as brushes?

Yeah, neither did I, until that date. I eventually just focused on the glass of Merlot in his hand, and the way the wine swirled with his every fervent gesture.

“Well, I think this guy might be the guy for you.” She smirked with confidence.

Oh, she was so sure she found the perfect guy for me – again.

I love Maya, we’ve known each other since we were in kindergarten, but her history of matchmaking was horrendous.

Ricky and John were just two out of countless horrible, painful, disastrous attempts at finding me a partner.

And some may wonder why I continue to put up with it, why I haven’t told her off.

The truth is, I WANT to find someone, I really do.

I want someone special to hold hands and have romantic dates with.

Someone to cuddle on the couch with and binge watch Netflix or have a Lord of the Rings marathon.

Someone I could fall in love with, and wake up one day and realize, I’m going to spend the rest of my life with this person.

I wanted that special connection that you can’t get with anyone else.

It wasn’t until I got back to my apartment that I was able to let out the longest, most agonizing groan I’ve ever had. I was not looking forward to tonight. But it was better than sitting at home doing nothing. So, I got dressed, fixed up my hair, applied my makeup and made my way to the restaurant where I would meet Mr. Mystery Date #100.

Ok, he’s not actually the 100th blind date I have been on. It’s actually less than half that. But with how bad my luck has been, it sure feels like it’s been that many.

I stood outside Finnigan’s, the local Irish Bar & Restaurant.

It’s a nice place, but also casual.

I like casual, it’s more my element.

I’m a jeans and a t-shirt kind of woman – though I did dress up a bit better for this date.

A nice pair of dark skinny jeans, a white, short-sleeved, v-neck blouse with a slim grey jacket. Attractive, but also comfortable. I even wore sandals with a heel.

My outfit was perfect for early fall, where the days were still warm, but the evenings were just cool.

I smiled as I looked at a maple tree across the street.

The green leaves were beginning to turn red.

“I love watching the leaves change.”

Startled, I jumped backwards, bumping into the very man who spoke. And just like some cheesy romance movie, our eyes locked and time felt like it stood still.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” His face was an open book, it was clear he was genuine in his apology.

“N-no, that’s alright. I’m sorry for jumping into you, I was lost in my own thoughts.” I couldn’t help but smile at him, and I swear it doubled in size when he smiled back at me.

He looked like he could be a movie star with that smile – and those eyes. Hazel, my favourite colour.

Is it creepy that I’m hoping to any almighty being that this man in front of me is my mystery date?

“This may be an odd question, but are you by any chance Maya’s friend, Abbie?”

There is definitely a higher power that exists, but I think they are laughing at me as I realize I don’t know what his name is.

I was so caught up dreading this date that I never realized Maya forgot to tell me his name. Classic Abbie and Maya.

“Yes, I am. I’m sorry, she never gave me your name.”

“Harrison, but you can call me Harry.”

“Like the prince?”

I giggled at first, thinking it was clever, but immediately felt maybe that wasn’t best joke given how serious his face turned.

“No, not like the prince.” He said seriously.

“Like the wizard.”

We both exploded with laughter.

This was genuinely the first time I’ve actually enjoyed myself on a first date – or any date.

I think Maya was right about Mr. Mystery Date #100.