When Eric demanded to pay for our first date, I thought I\u2019d met a true nobleman. Roses, a sweet gift, appealing conversation \u2014 he was examining all the boxes. <\/p>\n
When he texted me the next day, I predicted a cute follow-up, but my stomach lowered when I read his message.<\/p>\n
My best friend, Mia, meant well when she provided to set me up on a date, but her skills as a matchmaker were totally unproved.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s super nice, Kelly! Total gentleman. You\u2019ll love him,\u201d Mia insisted over the phone while I discovered through my closet.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve never set me up before,\u201d I reminded her. \u201cWhat makes you think you know my type?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I know you better than anyone,\u201d she replied joyfully. \u201cPlus, Chris vouches for him too. They\u2019ve been friends for ages.\u201d<\/p>\n
That gave me pause. Chris, Mia\u2019s boyfriend, was a pretty good judge of character. If he thought this Eric guy was honorable, maybe there was hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine,\u201d I sighed. \u201cShow me a picture at least.\u201d<\/p>\n
A moment later, my phone tinged an incoming message.<\/p>\n
The guy in the photo wasn\u2019t ugly: clean-cut, well-dressed, with a warm smile that attracted his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, he\u2019s cute,\u201d I confessed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTold you!\u201d Mia informed. \u201cText him and set it up. You won\u2019t regret it, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a few casual texts, I agreed to encounter Eric for dinner at a new Italian place with a great view of the river. Nothing too interesting, but nice enough for a first date.<\/p>\n
I arrived five minutes early and waited near the entrance, like we\u2019d agreed. I was fearfully examining my appearance with my phone camera when I spotted him approaching the restaurant.<\/p>\n
My pulse rushed a little. The photo hadn\u2019t lied \u2014 he was attractive in that tidy, business-casual way, and he carried himself with confidence.<\/p>\n
What I hadn\u2019t predicted was the bouquet of roses in his hand.<\/p>\n
Not cheap grocery store flowers, but an actual professional arrangement connected with a ribbon.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must be Kelly,\u201d he said. \u201cThese are for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, thank you,\u201d I replied. \u201cYou didn\u2019t have to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFigured I\u2019d begin the night off right,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But that wasn\u2019t all.<\/p>\n
He extended into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small gift box tied with a cyan bow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust a little something. Open it,\u201d he supported.<\/p>\n
Inside was a sleek silver keychain with the letter \u201cK\u201d engraved on it. It was graceful and individualised, something that demanded thought.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething just for you,\u201d he said. \u201cI asked Mia what you might like.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was honestly impressed. Flowers and a thoughtful gift on a first date? This man was clearly making a statement. Either he was interested, or he was the king of first impressions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is really nice of you,\u201d I said. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eric continued his gentlemanly routine without missing a beat. He opened the door, pulled out my chair, and kept steady eye contact throughout our conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what made you agree to this setup?\u201d he asked after we\u2019d ordered our meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cMia can be very persuasive,\u201d I laughed. \u201cPlus, she and Chris both vouched for you, which rarely happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a great couple,\u201d he nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cChris and I go way back to college. He\u2019s always been a stand-up guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conversation poured naturally from there.<\/p>\n
We explored shared interests in true crime podcasts and documentaries about strange subcultures.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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