The following Saturday after her date (and subsequent reluctant hook up) with Mario, she had matched with yet another guy on Bumble.
His name was Wyatt, and he was several years older than her. It was a nice change from all the younger guys she had been matching with. He had great scruff, a great smile, a thin build, and was decently hot… even though he was only 5”9. She sent him a little wave emoji to start their conversation, and once he replied, she got good vibes from him right off the bat.
She had had plans that had fallen through, so she casually mentioned to him that she had been hoping to go out for a drink that night. He took the bait and replied that he lived right in the downtown core and that he would love to meet for a drink if she were interested. She was relieved that her night had taken a more exciting turn than just Netflix and Chill-ing all by her lonesome, and replied that she would be happy to meet up with him.
They arranged to meet at 8pm, but she arrived closer to 8:30. She had gotten stuck in construction traffic, and then struggled to find parking on the chaotic downtown streets. She texted him that she would be late and he was very understanding. As she approached him, her immediate thought was that he looked very similar to her ex. They had the same build, and were both on the shorter side. She thought she would regret the date as soon as she got there, but he could not have been more friendly or charming.
They headed over to check out a restaurant but found that the wait was too long. They put their names on the wait list but decided to grab a beer at another place a little further down the block. She hadn’t been to this other pub since her early 20’s. Blurry memories of many a drunken night flashed through her mind.
They sat at a high top and started to get to know each other. She found out that he was a graphic designer for an advertising agency, and that they shared a lot of similar interests in regard to art and culture. This was one of the more stimulating first date conversations she’d had. She loved when she was able to talk art with someone.
They finished their beers and decided to take a little walk just outside of the downtown core to go smoke a joint. She also wanted to show him a cool art piece she knew of, which she was surprised he hadn’t seen yet considering he lived so close. The art installation were these giant plywood cubes, each decorated with different murals all over them. Each side was something else, a different style than the last. They puffed away and appreciated the different techniques.
Afterwards, they went back to check on their table at the first restaurant. Once they got there though, they decided it wasn’t the right vibe, so they strolled along through the bustling downtown streets in search of somewhere else to settle. They chose a popular Irish pub on one of the main streets in the area. The patio had been extended in compliance with Covid protocols, so they had a lovely view of a lamp post and a fire hydrant directly next to their table.
They ordered beer and nachos, which she realized was becoming her staple first date order, and continued on with their enchanting conversation. Just like most of her other first dates, the conversation flowed and she was enjoying Wyatt’s company. She found out that he had recently gotten out of a relationship only a few months prior. Also that his dad had passed away when he was a teenager and that it was just him and his mum now. He was an only child, but had friends who are like family, whose children call him Uncle Wyatt. They talked for hours. Both of them acknowledging that they were having a great time and that neither of them wanted the date to end.
After finishing the nachos and their second beers, they decided to move the party to a dessert restaurant a few streets over. They each ordered a deliciously mouth-watering slice of Oreo cheesecake (made in house), as well as some decaf cappuccinos. They sat on the patio, which was also extended out in to the street, and just people-watched. Commenting on the crazies, commenting on people’s outfits, and just acknowledging how strange it was to be living through this specific period in time. They finished their cake and again, neither of them wanted the date to end, so they took a stroll through a nearby park.
After they had literally gone everywhere they could have in hopes of extending their time together, she decided it was time to pull the plug. It was nearly midnight, after all, and she knew for one hundred percent certainty that she was not going back to his place. She was done making that mistake.
He walked her to her car in the big parking garage near the restaurant. As she turned to face him, she saw how nervous he was and she knew he wanted to come in for a goodnight kiss. She made it easy for him and stepped forward. He leaned in for the cutest, most awkward first kiss ever.
He tilted his head the same way she did, their noses bumped, and he wasn’t sure what to do with his hands. “Ah!” he said as their lips parted. “I’m sorry! That was my first first kiss in a long time. I’ll do better next time!” She giggled and told him it was fine. She had a really nice time and she was looking forward to seeing him again. He told her he would text her, but based on her track record for second dates, she wasn’t about to hold her breath.
You can imagine her surprise and delight, then, when she heard from him the very next day. They had talked about their mutual love for Marvel movies, so in his text he invited her to see a movie the following weekend. She agreed, and was shocked and excited at the prospect of actually having a second date with this funny, charming, attractive, 41-year-old man. Could this actually be the beginning of something real?
They texted here and there throughout the week, and when Saturday arrived, they confirmed that they’d meet for dinner and drinks around 8pm, and then see the movie which was playing at 10:10pm.
She was at a family function during the day, and had been regaling her cousin with the tale of this apparent unicorn of a man whom she was supposed to meet up with for a second date. Around 6:30pm he texted her in hysterics. He said that all his passwords had gotten hacked; his e-mails, his social media, even his Netflix account. He sent her a pic of his now Spanish Netflix home page. He frantically asked if she would mind postponing their date until the next day. Unfortunately, she had another family function the next day and wouldn’t be able to reschedule.
She felt the air burst from her figurative bubble. She should have known better than to get her hopes up for an actual second date. Granted, he did seem to have a genuine problem and it didn’t seem like he was just flaking on her. She told him to message her if he was able to sort things out sooner rather than later. She spent the rest of the evening bitching to her cousin about dating in general, over several glasses of wine.
She messaged Wyatt the next day to see how things were going. He didn’t reply until Monday morning while she was at work. He said that he had sorted out his e-mail issue, but was still working on his Netflix and social media. “I’m so, so sorry about Saturday!” he said. “All good, shit happens…” she replied. “I’m still down to get together sometime, though, if you want?” He had his Read Receipts on so she saw that he had seen her message, but he sent no response.
NOW she was pissed. How is it that even when she didn’t have sex with someone, she still gets fucked over?? This guy seemed like he was so in to her! More than she was in to him, that’s for sure. He was awkward and cute and goofy around her, and he seemed genuinely apologetic about canceling, as well as wanting to reschedule their date. What happened in those two days that could make him change his tune like that??
The week went by and she distracted herself with other dating app guys, but on the weekend when she was home alone, bored and stoned, she was going through her phone and just messaging random guys she had in her contacts. She came across his name and decided to send just a little wave emoji to see if he’d respond. Again, she saw that he had seen her message, but no reply.
Later that next week, as she scrolled through Instagram when she really should have been working, low and behold, what did she see? A 2-pic-post by Wyatt of him and, presumably, his ex-girlfriend.
The caption read, “Best Monday ever! #minigolf #monday #love #sunshine”, with a comment from the girl saying, “I had so much fun! Thanks for the most amazing day, amor”. As well as a comment from someone else saying, “Such a beautiful lady,” and Wyatt replying, “She’s amazing!”
What the actual fucking fuck!?!?
A week ago he was smoochin’ her in a parking garage, now he’s back with his ex?! Of course, it could have not been his ex, but who falls in love with a new person in a week? Was this the real reason for the canceled second date all along? Or did he actually have those password problems, and then just happened to reconnect with his ex later that week? All she knew for sure was that regardless of whether or not she had sex on the first date, guys in general are just shitty fucking ass holes.
That’s all. That’s the end of this chapter. Fuck that guy and his #love.