One down, five to go

In my effort to have six dates in 2006, I've finally managed ONE! Yep, FA contacted me last night when he landed from yet another flight from London. I was walking back from a crappy, rainy Cubs loss (that he already knew about) when I received the text message.

The hassle of U.S. Customs and highway traffic delayed our meeting till after 8, but we finally managed to sit down to a casual dinner and a few cocktails.

We had a really great conversation about one of our common loves - - travel. Of course, since he works for an airline, he has been to many more places but I didn't find myself envious...except when he mentioned that he'll be spending a week or so on his friend's boat off the coast of Malta!

He mentioned that he'll be turning 40 in about a month and he'll have a party at his home in Ft. Lauderdale. He invited me to come down for it, but it was a very casual invitation, so I'll wait to see if he mentions it again before I consider it.

Still on the travel theme, I talked about my plans to go to Croatia with my mother and he said he remembered me telling him about that when we met. Then he berated himself for forgetting the 4-page spread on Croatia that he read in the London Daily Herald. He wanted to bring it for me and he forgot.

He paid for dinner and let me leave a tip (when I offered). We moved into the bar area and tried to squeeze up to the bar. He slipped through the crowd and reached back for my hand to pull me toward him. We found seats at the bar and ordered a round.

We chatted a bit and people-watched as a horrendous band fumbled through a bizarre musical set that had us wincing in pain at their "singing." Too funny! FA mentioned that he should go back to London and apologize to the karoake bar that he made fun of a few nights ago.

It might have been near midnight (I never checked the time) when I decided that I'd better get home so I wouldn't miss work. FA walked me back to my car and went around to the driver's side TO OPEN MY DOOR (do guys still do that??). Oh, did I mention that during dinner, FA asked if I wanted some water from the pitcher on our table, poured my water and refilled my glass later.

A gentleman? Geez, I forgot what they looked like!

I drove him back to his hotel and during a rare lull in our conversation, I mentally reveiwed the evening: good conversation, a few laughs and a nice, casual dinner. In a previous text message, he had invited me to join him for a Cubs game in a few weeks. I wondered if I should confirm the invitation. (Let's have a show of hands to see who thought at least ONE of my dates in 2006 would include a baseball game??)

Reading my thoughts, he asked if I am still available for the game in a few weeks.

I smiled, "Sure."

After a nice kiss goodnight, I let him out of the car and he said he'll text me tomorrow before he leaves. I pulled into my garage and my cell phone vibrated.