Once finished with class I checked my phone and faced the truth. I would never hear from Will again. I deleted my profile and headed to Trader Joe’s for groceries.
On the walk I got a call…
It was Will but you already knew that, right?
He apologized for not getting back to me after he processed the information, as he was away on business and very busy.
It was strange to finally hear his voice. Sure, we had numerous text conversations but this was intimate, serious and real–two hours of real. Then he called again that night and we talked for three hours.
AND several times the next day.
AND every day after that.
We also continued to text multiple times each day and raucous laughter was automatic. Will was away for two weeks on business but I don’t think he got much work done. I know I didn’t do much writing as my head, normally filled with my current work, was full to the brim with him. He asked me if I would like to go to dinner a day or so after he returned. He first sent a text and then called to apologize for asking me out in that manner. There are some things that should be done with a phone call, he explained.
I liked that.
During one of our typical days of texting I was surprised when his business partner responded. Will was driving. I wanted to be a good sport so we went back and forth for a short time and then he called.
“Will has a girlfriend,” he said. I could hear the teasing tone in his voice accompanied by Will’s protests in the background. “He’s in love. It’s Melani this and Melani that. All he does is talk about you.”
I really liked that.
As much as I hoped to be Will’s girlfriend, I didn’t bring it up. After all, we hadn’t even met.
BUT, he did.
He asked me if I was dating other men and I told him I was not. He said he’s always preferred to focus on one person, dating multiple women was not the path he chose and he’d like to focus on me.
So, after hours and hours of talking, never ending texts and just about any over-sharing one could imagine, it was date night. I wasn’t even a bit nervous. I knew this man and was comfortable being myself. I also have (cough) a few first dates under my belt.
I’m Melani Robinson-Goddess of First Dates!
Pour La Victoire
I took my time getting ready and since Will chose a restaurant one short block from my house (my favorite neighborhood bistro, by the way), I decided to wear a dress and serious heels. The kind that might get a girl in trouble—or at least accentuate her calves. Shoes of the impractical variety.
I was serene as I rode the elevator down to the lobby, “Lookin’ hot, Mel!” Said my doorman Rich. I strolled around the block and did notice a man or two checking me out. I’ve got this, I thought smugly. When I arrived, the hostess told me Will had already been seated so she showed me to our table. He saw me coming and stood up.
I took one look at him—all 6’3” perfection, wearing a beautiful suit to match his gorgeous face and I’m sure you know what was going on inside. You’ll be happy to know that I maintained my dignity, greeted him warmly with a big smile and gracious, “Hello!” as I effortlessly took my seat across the table from him.
OK, that’s how the scene would play out in the movie version. Let’s try again.
Will stood up, smiled as I walked his way–and I lost it.
One look at him and my face flushed bright red, my legs stopped cooperating so my walk got a
little hitch-y, and my eyes widened as I stared at him, a shocked expression on my face. I awkwardly took my seat, never taking my focus from him, and although my brained screamed SAY SOMETHING, YOU IDIOT, my mouth refused to work. I couldn’t find my words and at the same time I felt beads of perspiration forming on my upper lip.
Will spoke first. “Are you OK? Do I disappoint you?”
Did he disappoint me? Probably in the same way the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel let me down or Versailles seemed like just another big ole house.
FINALLY, I found my voice.
“Oh my god, no, not at all. I’m choking under pressure here because you’re so much more than I expected. Your photos don’t do you justice and I came here tonight, full of myself and confidant and took one look at you and I’m a total idiot. I need a drink.”
Will looked relieved as he smiled, and then motioned our server and I ordered a martini.
And after a couple of sips you’ll be glad to know I rallied.
We talked and laughed. He teased me mercilessly about my entrance—we laughed some more. Once I paired the voice I knew and trusted with his face it was effortless. I also knew, without a doubt, I was falling in love. Close to two hundred dates and almost seven years alone, it was quite clear.
After dinner he said he wasn’t ready for the evening to end so he suggested a nightcap. After attempting one neighborhood lounge that was not what we were hoping for, I knew exactly where we should go:
THE SEXY BAR.
If you followed 1yearofonlinedatingat50.com you might remember the sexy bar. It’s a secret underground paradise in my neighborhood. As we made our way from Broadway to Columbus my feet were killing me. I didn’t think we would be walking or I would’ve saved those stripper heels for another date. I told Will I had made a bad footwear choice and we slowed our pace to a stroll as he held my hand and guided me towards our destination.
And that, my friends, was a very good thing because if he hadn’t been firmly holding my hand I would’ve fallen flat on my ass. As it was, the heel of my shoe got stuck in a sidewalk crevice and my ankle turned. That led me to stumble in that incredibly alluring manner—first the ankle turns then
the knees buckle followed swiftly by the badonk slamming to the ground. Will held on and was able to steady me enough that once all motion had stopped, I found myself squatting on the sidewalk. It looked a lot like this.
That’s right, I’m bringin’ sexy back.
He pulled me up and all I could do was laugh. What other option did I have?
We managed to get to the sexy bar and he was impressed.
Shalel’s almost hidden entrance
“How did I live in the city for all those years without discovering this place?”
We ordered drinks and soaked in the sultry vibe. Then he leaned across the table and kissed me.
Now that was a movie moment.
An hour later he we were headed to my place but neither of us wanted the night to end. We sat on a bench near the bar and talked for another sixty minutes. The date had lasted six hours by then.
He walked me home and I was tempted—oh so tempted—to ask him inside, but I resisted and instead we gave hormonal teenagers a run for their money with the passionate kisses in front of my building.
Neighbors, be damned!
I think I floated to the elevator (the only graceful moment all night) and by the time I was in the apartment and getting undressed, Will called. I know, we’re ridiculous. We talked as he drove back to Westchester and then for another hour.
I have never made a bigger fool of myself on a date. I was Mary Katherine Gallagher. None of it mattered, though.
The magic was there.
To be continued…
“We were together. I forgot the rest.” Walt Whitman
Holy shit congrats. I knew this would happen because you worked so hard for it. Everything you went through. Where the Fuck is HBO already? Sex and the City is hack compared to Melani’s story.
Now I know why the book hasn’t come out yet. The ending had to be rewritten. Happily.
Pam, thanks so much for the Sex and the City comment! And keep reading there’s lots more to this story. Part: Three next week.
Will- clarification if you’re reading this. She didn’t actually “work hard for it”. No desperation here. Just some accidental frog kissing and such. Carry on.
Haha, Pam. You make me laugh.
OH. MY. GOSH!!!!! Mel, I must admit that I was hating you for the cliff hanger ending to Part One….I couldn’t take the suspense!!! But Part Two is better than my wildest dreams! Happy, happy, HAPPY!!! My heart is smiling, wait, scratch that, my heart is beaming with joy!!! You deserve every goosebump that I’m sure you have all over your body!! So elated for you….truly!
I know, Debbie. I would hate me, too. It’s a long story and I want to tell it right. As I said at the beginning, I’ve never told one like this before. It is goosebump worthy, for sure. Thanks for all your beautiful thoughts.
Ahhh….there’s hope!? I can’t wait for part three, I am just about to give up on these crazy saying sites!
Don’t give up, Anna. Take a break from the sites. You’ll come back ready to face the madness and if it gets too crazy, take another one. Part Three next week. Thanks for the comment!
This weeks flavor of the week referred to me as a ‘good looking chick’ in his first email…. still not sure how to feel about that one!
I think I would like it, Anna. You must be a good looking chick and it’s nice that he recognizes his good fortune.
This is amazing, girl!! I’m so happy for you! I binge-read your blog last summer after being in the exact same place in my life (minus the groovy NYC setting) and continued to wonder how a together chick like you was not meeting some fab gent. It made me wonder if they just didn’t exist at our age. This is inspiring, though. Plus I’m just so God damned happy for you! Can’t wait for the next instalment!!
Thanks, Lesley, for both your kind words and binge reading. Fab gents are in limited supply at our age, for sure, but they’re out there. I think it’s a matter of deciding what’s important. Does a woman want companionship at any price or is she comfortable being alone until the right guy comes along? And perhaps he’s never going to show up? I chose being alone for the rest of my life, if need be, rather than settling. I certainly wouldn’t judge anyone choosing otherwise. Thanks for taking the time to write, Lesley.
Im so happy for you! My heart was pounding while I was reading.
Thanks, Jennifer. My heart was pounding a bit as I wrote the piece. Reliving it, and all that!
So so happy for you Melani….hope this is it…looking forward to reading Part 3. Have a great weekend!
You have a great weekend, too, Irene. Part Three coming next week.
I am so happy for you!! That means there is hope…
All I have to say is that this made my day Melani! I am so happy for you. Woooo hoooo!
Finally! I’m happy for you and I hope this works out.
You’ll find out if it lasts in the next post, Joseph. Thank you for the well wishes.
Awesome Melani!! So happy for you!
Thanks, Jessica.
Thanks for giving us hope, Melani. I watched you on Steve Harvey and then caught up and read all of your blogs, I’m so thrilled for you and can’t wait for the next update! I’ve been on more online dates than I care to admit and my friends are amazed at the stories that come out of my experiences. Hurry up and post please!
Thank you, Sue. This is the first time you’ve posted a comment so it’s good to hear from someone who found me through Steve Harvey. Yes, online dating can be a crazy ride. I’m writing the next post now and it will take me a few days–and I try to take weekends off. I’m hoping for early to midweek. Good to hear from you.
As a follower of your blog for a couple of years – I need to ask you the obvious question.
Did you get a gander at his feet?
Sipping a glass of wine and almost choked as I laughed loudly at your question. Thank you, Rod, for your loyal following and the answer is: big. Big feet. Thanks for the naughty laugh.
Mel,
This is great! Congrats. I hope this works out.
Thank you, Tim. The outcome will soon follow.
Westchester?!?!?! Wow. Must be love! LOL Congratulations, I am happy for you.
This reminded me SO much of meeting my late wife. Thank you! (and for the Whitman quote – that sums it up nicely.)
I think Westchester is lovely, Bill, but I’m a city girl. I love that quote, too.
AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melani, karma works!!! You do deserve all the happiness that comes your way. Long overdue…
And Tinder started to show some signs of hope, so continue to share your good vibe with us, single ladies 🙂
Good to hear you’re enjoying Tinder, Irina. I do deserve happiness!
Hi Melani –
This is fun, you have definitely chosen a captivating storyline and are on your writing game with this one – Thank you! Having quite recently fallen in love with the Raven Haired Beauty at our very first kiss, I understand that the magic of love is exactly that. The rush of feelings and thoughts brought such a shock to me that I have been completely, totally and wonderfully overwhelmed – fortunately we have had each other to hold tightly for support, although not necessitated by shoes (a rather vivid and self-deprecating image in your story). I smile at the thought of you finding a partnership match for your wit and I look forward to enthusiastically following what you write, hoping for much more beyond Part 3.
Kern
Love at first kiss, what a wonderful thing, Kern. It is shocking how quickly one can fall and that rush is like no other. Thank you for your kind words and Part Three is up now.
I’m re-reading the blog now that I have the benefit of hindsight. I have to ask — which part of meeting him was the movie version? Just the part where you kept it together and glided effortlessly into your seat? So the 6’3″/beautiful suit/perfection was true? If so, the “beautiful suit” stuck out in my mind — wasn’t your husband a real stickler about his clothes? So that would be a quality that would remind you of your husband. In fact, the whole encounter kind of reminds me of the instant attraction you had for your husband at the airport bar. And I’ve got to say, you have a really high bar in the “wit” department that many men won’t be able to reach. For me, too, “funny” trumps (almost) everything else…
Yes, just me making the graceful entrance. The rest was all reality. It’s funny because my daughters thought he looked like their father (my first husband). My friend Jeanne said he was a combination of both my first and second husband. Kind of eerie but they were simply looking at photos. I didn’t see the resemblance in person, but who knows? Maybe I have a type. Funny trumps almost everything for me, too, Nancy. I want smart first, then humor–and obviously I need to be physically attracted, too. Talk about demanding! Thanks for your thoughts, and the reread, Nancy!