So, let me tell you about this wild first date I had. It’s one of those stories where you laugh, cringe, and then laugh some more every time you think about it. Fair warning: things got a little spicy (in the best way possible).
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Let’s rewind to a Friday night. My kid was finally asleep, and after a day filled with “Mom, why can’t penguins fly?” and “Do we have to eat vegetables again?” I was ready for some adult conversation. Enter Jake, my date for the evening.
The Awkward Start
Jake walked into the cute little bistro we’d picked, looking like he had one foot in the “trying to impress” zone and the other in the “hope I don’t mess this up” zone. His tie was slightly crooked, and his hair had that just-ran-my-hands-through-it vibe. Cute, but also a little lost puppy-ish.
We started with the usual small talk, but honestly, it was dragging. I was this close to texting my bestie under the table for a fake “emergency call” when Jake knocked over his water glass. It splashed everywhere, and in his panic to clean it up, he bumped the salt shaker, sending salt across the table like it was a bad omen.
I couldn’t help it — I burst out laughing. Like, full-on, snorting laughter.
Jake froze, then grinned sheepishly. “Well, at least I’m memorable, right?”
“Yeah,” I teased, still laughing, “a real salty first impression.”
The Turning Point
From there, the vibe completely shifted. We started joking about everything — from the overcomplicated menu to my kid’s obsession with making everything a “potion” (yes, even spaghetti sauce). Jake turned out to be unexpectedly funny, and I noticed how his eyes lit up every time I laughed at his jokes.
But here’s the thing: somewhere between the jokes and the playful banter, I decided to test the waters a bit.
The Art of a Little Seduction
You see, when you’re a single mom juggling life, work, and everything in between, you learn how to read people pretty quickly. And Jake? Oh, he was giving me that look. You know the one — half smirk, a little eyebrow raise, like he was daring me to keep the flirtation going.
So, I leaned in, just a bit closer across the table, and said with a smirk, “You know, Jake, for someone who spills water like it’s their job, you’re surprisingly charming.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Charming, huh? I’ll take that. What about you? What’s your secret to being the most interesting person in the room?”
I tilted my head, letting the pause linger just long enough to make him wonder. Then I smiled and said, “Oh, I guess I like keeping people on their toes.”
And just like that, the mood shifted again — a little less awkward, a little more electric.
Turning Up the Heat
Throughout the evening, I started noticing the little things. The way Jake leaned in just a bit when I spoke, like he didn’t want to miss a word. Or how he kept finding excuses to touch his tie nervously, which, let’s be honest, was kind of adorable.
When dessert came, I decided to turn the playful banter up a notch. I took a bite of the chocolate mousse and let out a dramatic “mmm.”
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Good?”
I grinned. “Oh, you have no idea. Want a taste?”
I slid the spoon across the table, watching his face as he took a bite.
“Wow,” he said, eyes widening. “That’s… really good.”
I smirked. “Told you. Stick with me, Jake, and you’ll always get the good stuff.”
The Goodbye That Wasn’t Goodbye
By the time the check arrived, there was no denying it — we were vibing hard. He walked me to my car, which, let’s be honest, is a rare move these days.
“This was fun,” he said, his voice just a bit softer. “Can I see you again?”
I could’ve just said yes, but where’s the fun in that? Instead, I leaned in close, just enough for him to catch a whiff of my perfume, and whispered, “If you’re lucky.”
The way his face lit up was priceless.
As I drove home, I couldn’t stop smiling. Not because I’d “won him over” or anything silly like that, but because for the first time in a long time, I felt like I’d let myself just be. Playful, flirty, and unapologetically me.
And that’s the story of how a clumsy, awkward start turned into one of the most unexpectedly fun first dates I’ve ever had. The lesson? A little laughter, a touch of confidence, and a well-timed chocolate mousse can go a long way.
Until next time,
Rebecca KENNEDY
