Face to Face

Her frozen hands gripped the steering wheel as she made the last turn and continued down the street, driving well below the speed limit. She reached over to turn up the radio, trying to force the butterflies away while the Black Eyed Peas told her tonight was going to be a good, good night.

She put on the blinker and pulled into the parking lot.

Her phone chimed.

Reaching down, she picked it up and read the message.

I'm here. Where are you?

With fingers that suddenly felt too large to press the tiny buttons she texted back.

I'll be there in a minute.

Immediately an answer pinged.

I'm grabbing a beer. Do you want me to get you a glass of wine.

She smiled ruefully and wondered what he'd think if she asked for a bottle of the liquid courage.

Something white would be nice. Not too sweet. Thanks.

She set her phone in her purse and stared at the brick and glass building. Inside, a man she'd never met waited for her. A man who, according to the dating site, was her perfect match. A man who she'd been texting for two weeks until she felt that she already knew him. She felt a flutter of nerves mixed with hope. This was the fourth "blind" date in as many weeks. It wasn't getting easier.

Her phone chirped.

Courage. Now's not the time to chicken out. Get in here and have a glass of wine with me.
Her face flooded with color as she realized he could see her sitting in her car.

I'm coming in.

She grabbed her purse and opened the car door. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the parking lot, praying she wouldn't trip and break an ankle in the three inch stilettos.

She reached the door and walked into the entry way.

A man stood to her left, leaning against the mahogany bar. He was a little shorter than she'd have thought. His salt and pepper hair was still damp from a shower. His crisp blue shirt was tucked into slacks. He turned and she saw the familiar face from the pictures he'd texted her. His eyes studied her intently. She stood, motionless in the entry way.

He grinned and walked over, handing her a glass of wine and leaning in to kiss her cheek.

"Your pictures don't do you justice. I'm glad you decided to come in." His smelled of soap and sandalwood. She breathed in the unfamiliar scent and felt the butterflies take mad flight.

She smiled and took a sip of wine, forcing herself to relax. "I thought you'd be taller."

He laughed. "I thought you'd be shorter."

Suddenly she knew. Tonight was going to be a good, good night.


I haven't linked up for the Write on Edge prompt in a while and I've missed it!

This is a fictional piece that is a stand alone response to the prompt "describe a first face to face meeting". I immediately thought of the strange and sometimes ridiculous world of online dating.