Rex and I met in Laguna Beach, which is where he lives, for our second date. Laguna is a really cute town. It's small. Quaint even. People walk around with their dogs dressed in cute outfits and eating ice cream cones. There are little boutiques and locally owned restaurants. If you live there, people greet you by name or a smile and a nod as they pass. Or in Rex's case, the bartender at his favorite restaurant will remind him what he had for dinner the night before in case he wanted to order it again. It has a community feel that is often missing in big cities. It is a feeling I have missed since moving to the sprawl that is Southern California.
At the restaurant we grabbed two open bar stools beside an elderly couple. This suited me just fine because I love the elderly. I love that old men flirt shamelessly with me because they know they have become harmless. I adore the elegant way older ladies dress that is reminiscent of a bygone era, with a hint of something modern splashed on. And Lord knows I love a story better than just about anything, and the elderly are certainly willing to share theirs.
Over a very nice bottle of red wine, Rex and I caught up about our week and chatted with the couple beside us, who have coincidentally, been coming to Laguna on vacation for last 30 years. The gentleman and I made a bet over who could drop a bottle cork and get it to stand up. I lost, but then he taught me the trick and now I have a new way to pick up men in the bar. As if I really need another. After a delicious dinner Rex and I said our goodbyes and headed off down the street to an Irish pub where his friend works.
He introduces me to his friend, who replies, "Have we met before?"
"Nope." I say smiling, while she looks a little awkward. So... Rex brings a lot of ladies in here does he? Which in all honesty is fine by me. Because, I have no intention of being a one-man kinda lady right now. And I don't want some guy putting all his proverbial eggs in my metaphorical basket. I don't really want to be in the business of crushing people's spirits. That just puts out to much bad juju!
As we sat in the bar drinking our Johnny Walker Gold Label Scotch it dawns on me that I don't really know that much about Rex. Not really at least. I don't know his last name. I don't know what he studied in college. I don't know much about his family. His profile says he has a child, but they don't live here, however he hasn't mentioned it and I haven't asked. So I don't know what that situation is. And it hasn't ever occurred to me to mind.
I would like to think that I am enjoying the mystery. Unfortunately, the more likely case for my overly inquisitive self is that I'm not really that interested. Yes, he is nice. Yes, he never lets me pay. Yes, he has a yacht. But does he make my heart flutter? No.
Is a relationship all about flutter and sparks? Of course not. But I have had those flutters and sparks. And I really like that feeling. That anticipation of hoping he calls. The excitement of picking out an outfit for a date I'm really looking forward to. The day after dissection call with my sister, my friends, my mom. The over-analyzing every little thing as I am one to do. The thrill that is this something real because it scares me, but I just can't stop myself from stepping out on that ledge in hopes of falling into something great.
Maybe my relationship with Rex is one of those slow to ignite relationships. Or maybe we are destined for buddy land. Only time will tell.
In the mean time, I have two more dates!
At the restaurant we grabbed two open bar stools beside an elderly couple. This suited me just fine because I love the elderly. I love that old men flirt shamelessly with me because they know they have become harmless. I adore the elegant way older ladies dress that is reminiscent of a bygone era, with a hint of something modern splashed on. And Lord knows I love a story better than just about anything, and the elderly are certainly willing to share theirs.
Over a very nice bottle of red wine, Rex and I caught up about our week and chatted with the couple beside us, who have coincidentally, been coming to Laguna on vacation for last 30 years. The gentleman and I made a bet over who could drop a bottle cork and get it to stand up. I lost, but then he taught me the trick and now I have a new way to pick up men in the bar. As if I really need another. After a delicious dinner Rex and I said our goodbyes and headed off down the street to an Irish pub where his friend works.
He introduces me to his friend, who replies, "Have we met before?"
"Nope." I say smiling, while she looks a little awkward. So... Rex brings a lot of ladies in here does he? Which in all honesty is fine by me. Because, I have no intention of being a one-man kinda lady right now. And I don't want some guy putting all his proverbial eggs in my metaphorical basket. I don't really want to be in the business of crushing people's spirits. That just puts out to much bad juju!
As we sat in the bar drinking our Johnny Walker Gold Label Scotch it dawns on me that I don't really know that much about Rex. Not really at least. I don't know his last name. I don't know what he studied in college. I don't know much about his family. His profile says he has a child, but they don't live here, however he hasn't mentioned it and I haven't asked. So I don't know what that situation is. And it hasn't ever occurred to me to mind.
I would like to think that I am enjoying the mystery. Unfortunately, the more likely case for my overly inquisitive self is that I'm not really that interested. Yes, he is nice. Yes, he never lets me pay. Yes, he has a yacht. But does he make my heart flutter? No.
Is a relationship all about flutter and sparks? Of course not. But I have had those flutters and sparks. And I really like that feeling. That anticipation of hoping he calls. The excitement of picking out an outfit for a date I'm really looking forward to. The day after dissection call with my sister, my friends, my mom. The over-analyzing every little thing as I am one to do. The thrill that is this something real because it scares me, but I just can't stop myself from stepping out on that ledge in hopes of falling into something great.
Maybe my relationship with Rex is one of those slow to ignite relationships. Or maybe we are destined for buddy land. Only time will tell.
In the mean time, I have two more dates!
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