I’ve been a slacker of late with my Romance Writers Weekly pals, but this week’s topic was just too damned funny to pass up. The topic: Disastrous Dates.
Two came to mind for me, both a result of online dating.
Now, before I get too far down the road and I give you the impression that online dating is a plague to be avoided, let me tell you that I met my husband via the internet. (Obviously, he was my last experience with online dating. 🙂 ) But before hubster became “the hubster,” there were other…um…interesting outings thanks to the beloved Match.com.
Disaster #1 – The Obvious Eye Shift
There was one guy–a rugged, flannel wearing fella–I’d agreed to meet in person after chatting back and forth for about a week. I followed all the normal precautions; public place, friends knew where I was, yadda-yadda. We met at what my family calls a fancy hamburger joint and spent most of our time rehashing the get-to-know-you stuff we’d already talked about on the phone. It was just awkward. No spark. No real meaningful conversation. Just that weird I-must-be-social vibe relegated to mind-numbing, forced cocktail hours. I’d never watched so eagerly for the waitress to show up with a check in my life.
And then it came.
The waitress left the check in the middle of the table, clearly uncertain if we were one a date or some forced form of torture.
He looked at it.
And then he looked at me.
And then he looked at it again.
And went back to finishing his burger.
What the fuck? He wants me to pay?
Yes, that’s what I thought. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I have zero problem picking up my own tab. But I’m kind of old-school in that I’d at least like the guy to reach for the damned bill in the name of chivalry and give me a chance to offer.
I reached for the tab.
He didn’t stop me.
I laid down my credit card.
He still didn’t stop me.
The waitress came, grabbed the bill, and strode off.
Flannel dude said, “So, what would you like to do after this?”
Needless to say, we did nothing. I claimed an early day at work, signed the bill, and got the hell out of dodge.
Disaster #2 – I Know You’re In There
When I first signed on to Match.com, it was a relatively new concept. (Yes, hubster and I have been married that long.) Naturally, I assumed that all men seeking dates were interested in building new relationships…and that they were available for new relationship.
Let me ‘splain…
The guy in question was damned good looking–muscular build, shaved head, professional clothes. Kind of a biker-meets-executive but in casual Friday attire. We met for drinks on a Thursday night and instantly hit it off. We laughed, we drank, we talked…and then he invited me back to his place.
Hmmm….
What to do.
Online dating 101 says this probably isn’t a good idea on date one, but the two margaritas I’d had were weighing my judgment toward a, “What the hell” response.
Yes, yes, I know. Totally irresponsible, but I went. To my credit, I called my bestie and gave her his address, so I wasn’t totally stupid.
We got to his house and proceeded to play pool. For a little while anyway. We kind of got distracted when he showed me how to line up a particular combo shot…him leaning over me, his front to my back. A totally cliched move, but like I said, the guy had a body. And dayam, did his chest feel good.
That was distraction number one. Distraction number two came immediately thereafter when he further demonstrated how damned good he could kiss…and talk.
Yep.
He used words. Delicious, sexy words that rattled clear down to my toes and every important part in-between.
Don’t have a freakin’ clue what they were anymore. I just remember my brain threw up the white flag and my body took over. It was a forgone conclusion that I would NOT be going home that night.
Until….
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK
DING-DONG, DING-DONG, DING-DONG
“Open up, damn it! I know you’re in there.”
Um, what?
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK
DING-DONG, DING-DONG, DING-DONG
“Damn it, <Guy’s name>! I know you’re in there, now open the damned door!”
Good looking guy pulled away and mutter other, less enjoyable words as he peeked out the front window. More foul words followed. He strode back to me, gripped my arm, and steered me to the back of the house. “You gotta go.”
“Who is that?” I asked, still completely dazed from the yummy words and his incredibly skilled lips.
“My girlfriend.”
“You’re what?”
He handed me my purse on the way to the back door. “Well, sort of my girlfriend. We were broken up. Kind of.”
Son of a bitch. He had a girlfriend. Asking if he was involved hadn’t even freakin’ occurred to me. I mean, he was on Match.com for cryin out loud. Why in the world would he be on Match.com if he wasn’t interested in–
Oh.
One of those kind of guys.
Needless to say, I learned to figure that part out going forward.
Total disaster. Probably a freakin’ miracle said girlfriend didn’t slash my tires before she started pounding on the front door.
What about you? Have you ever found yourself having to pick up the tab or inadvertently playing the part of “the other woman”?
Next in the RWW line up is Leslie Hachtel. Lets see what kind of Date Disasters she’s got in store!
Thanks for stopping by!
17 Comments
Sarah Hegger
October 14, 2014 at 12:20 pmFor real, girl? Wow, you have to write those in one of your books
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 3:53 pmI still can’t believe either of those happened. Crazy.
Jo Richardson
October 14, 2014 at 12:27 pmOMG. You absolutely kill me and I agree with Sarah. WRITE IT. I seriously would have told the waitress in your first one though, “Could you split that in 1/2 please?” Ass hat. LOVED THESE!
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 3:53 pmI was too pissed to bother. I just plunked down the credit card and waved her over so we could hurry.
Raine Balkera
October 14, 2014 at 12:54 pmWow, Rhenna – those were two interesting and frankly scary stories. I’m really relieved to know it eventually worked out for you, too 😀 Great read!
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 3:53 pmYeah…gotta kiss a few online frogs first, right?
Xio Axelrod
October 14, 2014 at 1:33 pmUm…yeah…both of those need to be in books hon. Flannel guy, the nerve! And the hustler? Ugh. Awesome stories, though. =)
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 3:54 pmOh, he was a total hustler. Good kisser though. He gets props for that.
Susan Scott Shelley
October 14, 2014 at 1:49 pmOMG, you have one of those online dating “guy really has a girlfriend” stories too! 🙂 Great story! I would have loved to see the girlfriend banging down his door. You’ve gotta use this in a book!
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 3:55 pmGod, you’ve never seen a girl hit reverse in her car so fast. I was terrified she was gonna dodge out in the driveway and throw something at my car. Funny now. Horrible then.
CJ Burright
October 14, 2014 at 4:15 pmAll I can say is…phew! Aren’t you glad you’re married and don’t have to deal with the crap anymore? Everyone’s right though – total writing fodder there.
Collette Cameron
October 14, 2014 at 5:38 pmOh, my gosh!
Horrible, horrible!
No wonder my poor daughter is afraid to date!
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 6:38 pmYep! I’ve told my girls they should forgo altogether. 🙂
Fiona Riplee
October 14, 2014 at 6:21 pmGlad you didn’t end up with either one of those losers! Crazy dates.
Rhenna
October 14, 2014 at 6:38 pmI sure remember them though!
Vicki Mixon
October 15, 2014 at 9:08 amI figure you got off cheap with just a price of the burger. He could have picked up his half and taken multiple dates to see the real guy. And the other dude, since the tires weren’t compromised, cheap lesson as well. (Little angel on your dating shoulder?) Nice post.
Rhenna
October 15, 2014 at 10:13 amLittle angel indeed. 🙂