A few of my favourite things.

A book teaser: With You I Glow

ELLE

Ugh…why are earth did I agree to this? A blind date on Wednesday afternoon, a root canal sounded more enjoyable. This was so far out of comfort zone my palms start to sweat. 

The door to the cafe swings open and a guy in his late 20s wanders in, my eyes glance a the photo Britt sent me. This must be him. He’s taller than I expected and is wearing a blue suit, the kind I see all the hockey players wearing. 

I’m dying, well maybe that’s dramatic but heart hammering in my chest is convincing me otherwise. 

“Are you Elle by chance?” 

As I stand up my hand catches the pitcher of water on the table and I send it flying all over me. Leaving my floral dress damp and cold. 

I stand there awkwardly for a half second too long before nodding. 

“Uh yes, that’s me. You must be Tyler, Britt’s cousin.” 

Britt was the pastry chef at my parent’s bakery, Irish Soda Co. She was bright and bubbly, the total opposite of me. Apparently I’d be doing her a huge favour by taking out her cousin. Now I was beginning to wonder if the was some cruel joke. 

“So Uh…how are you liking the city?”

“Great so far, didn’t expect the girls here to be so hot.”

“Hi I’m Mike, I’ll be your server today, ready to place your order?” 

I take a sip of water and have never wanted to hug a waiter more than I did at that moment. Is this normal for dating now?

Tyler hands back his menu as his gaze lands on the hostess across the room. It’s beyond obvious but I sit there like an idiot. Sometimes I’m certain that I have “doormat” written all over my face. 

“What do you do for work?” He asks through a mouthful of food. 

“I work as a youth care worker at a local high school.”

Tyler nods and continues eating. There’s a long awkward pause as I push my food around my plate. This date was rapidly going downhill and all I wanted was to get out.

Just say words Elle.

“Job!” 

“I mean you’re here for work right?”

I can feel a heaviness start to creep into my chest. My eyes dart around the room. Tyler is talking about something to do with his work, numbers maybe? I can’t seem to focus on the words. 

My eyes land on him again. “So sorry, I just need to uh..run to the bathroom.” 

He gives me a nod and before I’m up, his phone is in his hand, though not before his eyes land on my chest. 

Seriously dude. 

I grip my purse tightly and weave through the restaurant. As soon as the door shuts a frustrated groan escapes. Between the anxiety and Tyler’s wandering eyes this date would be filed under what the fuck was I thinking. 

When I come back from the bathroom I hear Tyler on the phone. After knowing him for 20mins he’s definitely not subtle. 

“She’s hot that’s for sure, the things I’d do to her.” 

I pause, lingering out of view. 

“That’s where it ends though, if it wasn’t for her looks I’d think she’d be living at home with 10 cats. She’s got zero personality.”

And there it was. The confirmation that one Tyler was a total dick and two she was always too awkward for guys.  

My shoulders slumped, I was always the girl who was pretty but when it came to conversation I lacked in smoothness. Even if Tyler wasn’t the guy for me, knowing that other people think I’m as weird as I feel sucks. 

Fuck this. 

For once in my life I decided to be bold. And by bold I mean avoiding the situation and walking out of the restaurant.

The sun was beginning to set, June in Vancouver was my favourite. Especially when like tonight, it wasn’t raining. 

I pull out my phone, hand hovering over the group chat titled “GIRLS”

Me: This was total shit show, that’s it. I’m done with guys. 

Kate: Oh no, that good eh?

Hazel: What did he do? 

Me: Well, apparently I have no personality but would make a good fuck. 

Kate: Want me to egg his car? I’ll make devilled eggs. 

Hazel: Seriously? What a dick.