I never thought that after one of the best dinners I’d had in years, I’d be considering cutting ties with someone I thought had potential. But there I was, feeling unsettled by a small moment that changed my entire perspective.
It had been a while since I went on a proper date—not because I didn’t want to, but because life kept getting in the way. Work, friends, family—everything seemed to take up my time. I’d told myself I’d get back to dating once things calmed down, but life never really does slow down, does it?
Then I met Hayden at a friend’s dinner party. He was the kind of guy who made everything seem easy—charming without trying too hard and comfortable in his own skin. We hit it off quickly, spending hours talking about everything from childhood memories to career goals.
He was a middle school teacher, and I could tell from the way he spoke about his students that he had patience and a good sense of humor—traits that instantly drew me in.
When Hayden asked me out, I didn’t hesitate to say yes, even though I usually liked to take things slow. The days leading up to the date were filled with my usual busy schedule, but I found myself looking forward to spending time with him.
When Hayden asked where I’d like to go for dinner, I suggested keeping it simple, but in passing, I mentioned a more upscale Italian restaurant I loved, one I didn’t frequent often because of how pricey it was.
To my surprise, Hayden was eager to go there. “Let’s treat ourselves,” he said, brushing off my concerns about the cost. I appreciated his enthusiasm and agreed.
The night of our date, I opted for a simple yet elegant black dress. Hayden arrived right on time, looking effortlessly polished. His warm smile put me at ease right away.
“You look incredible, Asta,” he said, and for a moment, I allowed myself to fully enjoy the compliment.
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