I went out with Alejandro on Monday night and was surprised by how much fun I had. He is funny and charming and thoughtful.
I mentioned on our first date that I really liked Greek food and only realized while I was ordering Shawarma that he had likely selected the Restaurant because I had mentioned it was one of my favorite types of food.
I immediately thought, "Crap. Could I fall for this guy?"
Why my initial thought involved the word, "crap" I'm not quite sure. Other than the fact that I've been hurt in the past and maybe my wall is higher and thicker than I thought.
So we're at dinner (yes, I broke my no dinner until the 4th date rule) and everything is perfectly lovely. The conversation is engaging. He is interesting and he seems to like me.
I say this because he told me that he enjoyed my company after I asked if he should be working and apologized if I was keeping him.
"You're not keeping me," he said, "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be." Hmmm. Line or authentic? It seemed authentic. He seems like a genuinely nice guy.
Holy Flying Spaghetti Monster, I'm jaded, huh?
So anyway, I had a great time. We were at the restaurant for a little over two hours. The conversation was nice, but I did find myself pretty consistently wishing it would end. I'm not sure if this is because I'm not into Alejandro or because I'm not actually ready to date or because his name isn't Max.
I have a feeling a lot of women would like to be wined and dined by Alejandro. He is attractive, European, probably sounds like a movie star when speaking Italian, is respectful, kind and thoughtful. I think he needs a woman who wants to be a woman of leisure. He told me he wants to retire at 45 and travel the world. I want to be a Presidential appointee and work forever. He travels to Manhattan two to three times a month. I go to fencing practice and hang out with my friends and dog. Maybe I am too simple for Alejandro. Maybe he is too exotic for me. I don't know...
We discussed our schedules for the following week. He asked when I was available. I told him I was free this weekend and he said weekends were the hardest for him. Dilema. (Betti Past: I used to date and live with a bartender, it is really hard to be in a relationship with someone when your work hours are reversed.)
After about two hours I asked him if he had a lot of work to do that night. (He had mentioned that he wasn't sleeping very much because of all of his projects. Then he ordered a double espresso because he had to work all night.) He said, "I get it. You want to go home. I'll pay the tab." OOPS. Yes, true. The dude totally called me out. He has my number. There is no bullshitting, which I am used to delivering but not receiving, if that makes any sense.
When we left he didn't try to hug me. (Thank you Flying Spaghetti Monster!) And he told me he wasn't going to ask for my number. He said he would like to see me again but if I wanted to see him I would have to contact him. He said there was no pressure but if people want to have enjoyment in their lives they need to make time for it. Doh! Again, he is on to me.
I have yet to write to Alejandro. I don't know what I want to do. I'm not sure if I'm attracted to him. I'm not sure if I'm interested in him. I definitely enjoy his company but I'm not sure what else, if anything, I would like to develop.
If I contact him and we go out again, I will let you know.
For the record: He paid.
