grill on

Monday night has long passed and I still find myself in a rather dizzy place. The electricity between us is crazy. From the moment Mr. Manners and I first locked eyes that special instantaneous feeling, inkling I've only ever felt with The Southern Gentleman made its presence very much known, teetering on palpable. 

When he arrived at my threshold, Mr. Manners was dressed casual chic in his jeans and button down with flip flops and aviators. Oh the man can dress. I asked if he'd like a glass of wine before heading off to the store. He immediately said yes as he'd had a crazy day. Following me into the kitchen, Mr. Manners commented that he could see why I wanted to remodel my kitchen. We talked through my plans as the wine opened. I then took him on the grand tour of the house. 

We settled on the couch and he moved to be closer to me. Getting caught up on both of our busy weekends was fun. Off we went to the grocery store to pick up dinner. A few beef kabobs, chicken kabobs, green and red bell peppers, onion, avocados, and ice cream. The man opened the car door for me when we left the grocery. 

Back at my place, I peeled and prepped the avocados as a snack with a bit of sea salt sprinkled on top. He watched me intently. As I had suspected, this date contained several test elements for him. Of course, my poor little single gal's grill was a bit of a disappointment to him as there is no top rack. We worked well together. I like that I don't feel forced to make an effort. Everything simply flows. At least for me, my days of "being on my best behavior" are over; my philosophy is here I am, no surprises, take me or leave me but I am going to just be me. Throughout dinner preparation, Mr. Manners could occasional come over and kiss me. Oh la la. 

We enjoyed dinner al fresco under the stars. Just as we finished, rain began to fall so we went inside where he sat close to me on the couch and we finished our wine. 

We talked about so much the entire evening and I honestly find it scary at how on par we are with each other. Too many of my must haves on my proverbial list have been marked off with Mr. Manners. I find myself conflicted - too early to be bouncing off the walls but trying to keep the harsh cynic contained. Yet another fine line to delicately walk. 

I walked him out to his car where we kissed on the sidewalk like teenagers with raging hormones. The look in his eyes was so sincere the entire evening.  

Afterwards, I spoke with a good friend and she stated that the fact he didn't try to get in my pants demonstrates that he really likes me. When I think about it, I don't remember a man not trying to get it on after one date. We giggled at yet another reason why he truly is Mr. Manners.

oh! my! God!

Because I am so thoroughly excited, I cannot wait until morning.

Mr. Manners and I just finished date numero tres and oh, kiddos, another doozie.

And we were fully clothed!

He likes British television. He can cook. Loves his wine. He knows a Mercedes is called a Merc.

Honestly (thus far), Mr. Manners is everything I've ever dreamed for in a man. Kinda freaks me out to think that he was actually in my kitchen.

Only up from here, kids.  Only up.

Mas elaboration tomorrow. When I've had a chance to breathe.

another fab date night

Last night. 

It was fabulous. 

Absolutely fabulous. 

I truly do like Mr. Manners. We have so much in common. Conversation is easy and fun. There is definitely a big bright spark between us. 

Of course, try as I might to be on time, I wasn't. Only about 15 minutes late and there he was sitting at the bar in a suit. Whoa, baby! Mr. Manners was quite the sight. Suit = hot. 

We quickly jumped in to getting caught up on our very eventful day. Oh, the way that man looks at me. Not in a gross sort of undressing me way; his gaze is intent as he takes in all the details. I have never had a man look at me like that before. I could get very used to it. 

As the evening progressed, we touched on some deep subjects. He is passionate about things and I find that so very refreshing. He has dimensions. Again, Mr. Manners was such a gentleman. 

At the end of the evening, he walked me to my car; putting his arm around me. Ah, bliss. Since I parked far away (due to being frazzled when I got there), I drove him back to his car. Oh, the man kissed me goodbye. Several times. Several times. 

Mr. Manners is busy making plans for future time together and I cannot wait. 

voicemail

Mr. Manners is living up to his moniker. He is so polite, respectful, courteous.

I saw that I missed two calls from Mr. Manners this evening and there was a voicemail waiting for me. Immediately (and wrongly) I assumed the worst: he is cancelling tomorrow night.

I listened to the message and was delighted that he was merely letting me know he may be a bit late tomorrow night. Nothing serious. Simply being a courteous man.

I called him back and got his voicemail but he called back shortly. We spoke for about a half hour about the fun and games we have going on during the day tomorrow before we meet up. Since August is really busy for both of us, Mr. Manners was already inquiring about my schedule for next week. Woo hoo!!

While I was already excited for tomorrow night, tonight's turn of events have me looking forward to 5 PM even more.

suck it up

A weekend free of Mr. Manners contact and as such, I was a bit hesitant to contact him today (but way deep down, I knew I needed to). If there is one thing I have come to know about me, it is that I am not encouraging to the male species.

And so I sucked up my courage and sent Mr. Manners a text. Immediate response. Immediate. A little tip-toeing back and forth and then once again, sucked up more courage to press 'send' on "anything exciting this week?" The flood gates opened, with he has his guys trip coming up this weekend followed by "want to try and get together?"

Amen! Wednesday we are seeing each other again. We'll see how things go a second time. For once, I am actually excited. Now, what to wear?!

i hope you dance

Let's play a bit of catch up...

Potential Suitor #2. He was even more of a pushy, stick-up-his-arse man than I anticipated. He didn't know how to play bingo but he sure knew how to point all the numbers out on my card. Irritated, oh yes I was indeed! He didn't even tell me he was leaving (I thought he was on another smoke break, which I wasn't too excited about anyway). I found a twenty folded in half under his water glass. Classy, kids, classy.

Now Potential Suitor #3 has been in the wings for awhile. We finally made a date to meet this past Wednesday. 

In the meantime, there was a Potential Suitor #4. He was all about text messages and not meeting. Seriously, a girl simply cannot waste that much energy on text messages. Grow a pair and let's meet. So, I haven't heard from him since Monday and I am okay with it. 

Back to Potential Suitor #3. Wednesday night was such a truly pleasant surprise. I psyched myself for one drink filled with graciousness and out the door. He was there when I arrived and when he motioned at me, I almost died because he was better looking in person (and his photos were nice already). He definitely drank me in and filled me in on his online switcho-changeo experiences, e.g., the person looks nothing like her photos. He was perceptive and inquired as to what perfume I was wearing. My obscure French perfume continues to work her magic on men. So we had a drink and split a dozen oysters and he asked if I'd like to join him for dinner. 

We had a lovely dinner at a steak place. Enjoyed wine, talked, laughed. I really did enjoy him. He was also very gentleman old school style. Not only did he open door, he made sure he walked on the traffic side of the sidewalk as we traversed downtown. He thought my slight Texas accent was cute. He walked me to my car, asking me to send him a quick text when I got home; he prefaced this request with "Now I know this is going to sound very old-fashioned but would you please,". And then kids, Mr. Manners kissed me. Oh baby! Oh baby! He said he wanted to see me again too and made that statement several times. 

I did send him a quick message when I got home. He immediately responded and reiterated that he wanted to arrange a second date. 

Yesterday, Mr. Manners sent me a message after work. We exchanged a few but no second date planned. 

Today I didn't hear from him. I should have sent him a message but I was on the fence all afternoon so I didn't.... don't want to appear too pushy. Dating is such a delicate dance. And I have two left feet.