First date

“Do you want another glass of Merlot?”

“I’d rather not. I have to drive”

“Should we go somewhere else after this or do you want to have dessert?”

“Dessert sound good, actually”

He signaled for the waitress to approach. When she did, smiling brightly, my date requested the menu.

“What would you like?” he showed me the pictures “are we sharing?”

“Should we? I barely know you” I answered playfully.

He chuckled.

“I see you like to play”

I nodded.

“Well… I like to share dessert. We can even ask for two things, so we can be even more adventurous”

It was my turn to chuckle.

“Ok”

After a short pause, I don’t know why, I asked him.

“Are you this adventurous about everything?”

He smiled.

“Maybe. Depends on who’s with me… For you, I think I’ll try anything”

I blushed.

How upfront. But I liked that… I liked him. He seemed different, our conversation so far had been deep and meaningful, and he came greatly recommended by good friends.

While we waited for the dessert, he looked at me that way again. A mix of I-know-you-from-before and who-are-you kind of way. How peculiar!

I remembered that look quite clearly because I never saw anyone look at me like that before or ever again. Nor I think I have looked at anyone that way either. But how would I know? I would have to have a mirror in front of me to even try to check.

But I digress.

Merlot and chocolate mousse became my favorite combination after that date with… with…

How come I cannot recall his name. It hasn’t been that long… has it?

Anyway… his fetching smile and absolute charms made me break the one rule I had about first dates: no kissing.

When we were to part ways, he asked for my number. After entering it on his phone, he looked at me again in that peculiar way. I found myself fascinated with his eyes and, before I could even notice, he was placing his lips on mine.

I didn’t react as I normally would though… instead of looking away or pushing him back, I let him kiss me.

He stepped back when I didn’t respond to his kiss.

“I’m sorry… did I misread you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you wanted me to kiss you”

“Oh… oh” I stuttered “I… I wasn’t…”

“I’m sorry”

“It’s fine. You just took me by surprise”

“So, you wanted me to kiss you...”

“Honestly, I have a no-kiss-on-a-first-date rule”

“I see” he lowered his gaze.

“But you keep looking at me like you know me, so I don’t know…”

“I know you… I have been looking for you”

“What?” I almost screamed, getting a little scared with that phrase.

Was he a stalker?

He noticed my surprise and smiled.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m not a stalker.”

I chuckled and shook my head softly.

“I’ll explain… Have you ever had a dream where someone whispers in your ear ‘I love you’?

I was dumbfounded, because, as a matter of fact, I had. The same enticing, wonderful, peaceful dream where I don’t get to see who says that to me, but I can clearly feel he does love me.

“Well… I am that someone”

“What are you talking about?” I laughed.

Instead of getting discouraged by my reaction, he smiled broader and continued explaining.

“I’ve had a similar dream… only I am the one saying those words, unable to see who I was talking to until your friend Alma showed me your picture and asked me if I wanted to go on a date with you”

Now I was getting incredulous and I’m sure my face let him know that.

“When I saw you, actually, when I saw your ear” he chuckled softly “I knew it was you… the woman I’ve been declaring my love all this time”

My smile left my face.

“Aren’t you going a little too fast?”

“Well… I’m not asking you to marry me, am I?” he laughed.

I chuckled at that answer.

“Ok. Let’s say I believe you. What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing special… just to get to know each other and see if that dream comes true”

I smiled and nodded. He then approached me again and kiss me. I did respond to his kiss, trying to not be overly enthusiastic.

When we were done, he opened the door of my car for me and kiss my forehead.

“I’ll call you”

“Sure. I should have a night off this week”

“Maybe we can meet then”

“Sounds like a plan”

He smiled and closed my door.

The last thing I saw of him was his waving goodbye.

Now here we are, I don’t know how long later. Together, even if I cannot recall his name right now.

Me, with my mousse and my merlot. Him, with his still charming smile and his undying spiritual presence…