Charming, but single

Request: Go read this post about my date with the IT Guy first. This story happened right after that date ended and makes more sense when read that way. Second date details coming. When I told the IT Guy I’d love to go get sushi, I also silenced my cell phone for dinner. Because I was skipping B’s birthday dinner. And I wanted to focus solely on the guy on the date with me, who was my present at that moment, and not the guy sitting across town, who was my past. After the date, I waited until the IT Guy pulled out of the parking lot and then left myself, heading toward the bar to meet B and company to buy him a birthday drink. I checked my phone – I had a message and missed calls from B. (I should note here that he was at dinner with a group of 15 people and me not coming didn’t mess up a reservation or anything. It was a big, bar-like restaurant that was loud and busy and I knew I wouldn’t be missed. Also, we barely ever see each other anymore.) I called B to let him know I was on my way. “Where are you?” He answered the phone accusatorily. “On my way.” A few minutes later I strolled into the bar and surveyed the crowd to find B’s table, which had about 15 people and enough beer bottles for a few more. I walked over and gave him a birthday kiss on the cheek. “This better be a good story,” he said. “If you were two hours late for my birthday dinner.” “I’m not two hours late. I’m only an hour and a half late,” I said as I sat next to him and signaled to the server. “Well?” “Oh, I had a coffee date that went well.” “And?” he looked confused. “And we decided to get dinner,” I said. “Sushi.” I paused. “And I figured that you of all people would understand if I was a touch late because a date went well,” I deadpanned. I looked at the server. “And I’ll have the Wheat Beer,” I said with a smile.