So…I went on a date last night. A really, REALLY great one. And now I’m gonna tell you about it!

Philippe (or Phil, or Bill…more on that shortly) and I “met” on OkCupid and chatted back and forth for a little over a week. He seemed like a gentlemanly kind of guy, very sweet and responsive, but not too clingy. He asked me if I liked Greek food (hell yeah!) and invited me to one of his favourite places for dinner.

I got there first, and I didn’t really know whether to get a table or wait for him by the door. I opted for the latter, while perusing the menu. I got so lost in all the decadent offerings that I completely ignored my phone and failed to notice he’d texted me to say he was in the parking lot. Meanwhile, I kept seeing this car playing musical parking spot in the parking lot and wondering what the guy’s issue was. Just pick a damn spot, man. They’re all the same…

Turns out, that guy was my date. Once I informed him I was waiting inside, he finally settled on a spot and ran in to join me. We had a good laugh when I opened the door for him and welcomed him to the restaurant. After we’d been seated, I said, “So, is there a prize for me getting to the restaurant first?” He said, “How about I pay for dinner?” My face: 😀 The only thing better than Greek food is FREE Greek food!

Dinner was delicious but the conversation was even better. I learned that Phil Murray (or Bill Murray as he’s sometimes called by people who mishear his name, or by those who just wish they actually knew a guy named Bill Murray) is half-French, half-Irish, and his accent c’est magnifique! He’s smart, and very complimentary, which also supports the whole him being smart thing. He looks like a combination of Billy Bob Thornton and Humphrey Bogart. Handsome and boyish at the same time. I think I’ll call him Philly Bob Bogart. I can picture Lulu rolling her eyes at me right now. So, Philly, well, he found me to be very amusing. Or, as he put it, “très drôle.” Sometimes, when I’d make him laugh particularly hard, he’d take my hand and kiss it. ‘Cause Philly Cheese Steak is also quite charming and romantic. Yeah, I can’t settle on a nickname.

I was sitting on the side of the table that was facing a long mirrored wall. Is it just me, or do other people find it weird having a mirror in front of you while you eat? I kept trying to move my head at the same angle his was, so he’d keep me from seeing my reflection in the mirror. Like, I wanted to check myself out, but I didn’t, ’cause I was in a restaurant on a date with a guy and he could probably tell if I was looking at myself. Ya know?

The two hours we spent at the restaurant flew by. He suggested, since the night was still young, that we go for a drive and maybe find someplace to grab dessert. I was very much in favour of that idea. Mostly in favour of taking a joyride in his sexy car. It’s a souped-up Dukes-of-Hazzard-mobile that he named Orange Crush, and I was crushing hard on OC. We ended up driving to a nearby Chapters bookstore and decided we’d grab something sweet at the Starbucks inside.

I might have informed Phil-harmonic that I’m a published author whilst we feasted on feta, so I think he figured a gal like me would enjoy being in a bookstore. Remember how I said he’s smart? *nods* I bought us a couple pirate-themed cake pops from Sbucks, and then I directed Phil-anthropist straight to the romance section. And he didn’t even put up a fight, you guys! I had such fun pointing out titles I’d read, or authors I’d actually met in real life. I found Kristan Higgins’ latest novel, one I read and loved, and mentioned how she and I were pals. Philly Bob thought that was pretty darn cool, as he should. Then I recalled that I had a couple Chapters gift cards in my purse, so I decided I’d buy that book and get it signed at RWA in Orlando.

Phil-osophical carried my book for me all the way to the checkout, which just proves how manly he is, ’cause real men read romance, right, ladies? And then we sat and chatted in Orange Crush, and I noticed my dad had called and left me a message. It was almost 10 o’clock at this point (*gasp* on a school night!), so I told Philly Bob I’d better call my dad so he wouldn’t worry about me. He offered to leave the car so I could have some privacy, but I said he could stay and I’d only be a minute. Dad’s super-important thing he had to tell me was that America’s Got Talent had a lot of amazing acts, including a clown, and I should totally watch it. I promised I would, then I told him I was currently on a date with Phil and couldn’t talk for long. Dad said, “Hi, Bill!” *cue our laughter*

Before the night ended, we both agreed a second date was much needed. We’re going for Thai food next, at my fave place! He dropped me back off at the restaurant parking lot, and said he was gonna kiss me, and he did, and it was great and stuff. 😀 Now I’m eating leftover Greek food in my office and grinning and wishing there was a mirror in front of me so I could see how dorky I look.

Opa!

 

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