How long did I have to wait? It had already been 10 minutes when I checked the time on my wristwatch. It would have been good to know that he would be late, even though I understood that he couldn't precisely inform me in advance.

I let out a sigh that had been stifled inside of my chest and focused on the drink in front of me. No matter how many times I visited this establishment, I always ended up ordering a Shirley Temple. I never wanted to let any determining element affect my choice of the person who would be in front of me on these blind dates that Candice liked setting me up with. I most certainly didn't want to get wasted and do anything I'd later regret.

I grimaced as I caught myself looking at my watch once again. This person was already giving himself a nasty reputation. I nibbled on the cherries that were still floating on top of the drink in front of me, attempting to divert my attention with it.

Candice was my closest friend. She persisted on helping me out after realizing that I had been unmarried for far too long. I was the type of person who found it difficult to say no, so before I knew it, I had agreed. If only I had understood how severe she was capable of becoming. She outdid my efforts to meet someone fresh after my own failed attempts. She always had someone available to introduce me to on the weekends. Even how she knew each of them remained a mystery to me. However, this pub would always be the meeting location, and I would always get a text informing me what time to show there. Bars must have been hip for individuals my age. Either that, or she only wanted me to find love.

After all this time, I was starting to believe that I was the wrong kind of person for love. Why else was I having such a difficult time?

A voice abruptly said from behind me, "Are you Jane?"

I was scared because I was as deep in my thoughts as I had been. I sprang from the stool I was sitting on and turned to face the speaker to check if anybody recognized my name.

It was a guy with a grin on his face and some dimples. He was cute and handsome enough to make my cheeks feel warm.

Finding the right words was challenging since my tongue felt heavy in my mouth. "Mark?" I attempted to keep my voice strong as I inquired inquisitively. How in the world did Alice find a way to send me such a handsome man? Even though he was late, this was a blessing in disguise for me.

As he sat down on the seat next to me, his grin spread. He called over a neighboring bartender and got a drink for himself before coming back to me. He observed me with his kind blue eyes. As he glanced me over, my gut constricted as I hoped that his attention wouldn't be drawn to my curves. I was quite self-conscious about how I looked, but he didn't seem to care.

We began with an introduction-type talk, just like on every previous blind date I had been on. It was the first step in deciding if I even wanted to give this guy a chance.

So far, I've discovered that he enjoyed animals. Having a cat of my own, I was always interested in hearing about other people's pets. He hadn't actually asked me many questions, but I could tell he liked to speak about himself. I'll be honest, I didn't mind much. He was giggling happily throughout everything he said, and as he went on to tell me more about himself, he seemed more and more thrilled.

The date was going well thus far. My heart felt fuller the longer I listened to him. It gave me hope that I could have a possibility of meeting my second half. I wouldn't be upset if it were this person. He could have been the person I had been seeking for all along.

He drained two bottles himself after seeing that I had consumed half of my drink. He had to excuse himself to go the restroom since he had consumed so much alcohol in such a short period of time. I offered him a grin and didn't think much of it as I saw him blend into the throng. I returned my focus to my drink after he had left.



I had to battle against the grin that was permanently attached to my face as I played with my straw. Not this soon, and certainly not this joyful. Nothing was certain just because one date went well. I was behaving like a girl who had an idiotic infatuation.

My heart continued to pound in my chest, and I was unable to find any relief by reminding myself that anything may alter at any time. I tried to be quiet so that by the time he came back, I would be calm. I waited for his arrival while taking leisurely sips from my drink. The blooming sensation that had erupted in my chest was gradually turning into a bitter one as each minute went by.

My eyes scanned the throng behind me as I cast a glimmer of hope that he had just become disoriented. As much as I wanted to think that was the case, I knew otherwise. It was obvious that Mark wouldn't be returning. Where had I made a mistake? What have I done? I bit my lip and diverted my gaze back to my now-empty glass as I felt my brows furrow in annoyance.

Reality had to hit me hard just as I started to feel like I may find happiness. The guy I was supposed to be with would never come into my life.

I was through. There was no longer any justification for me to subject myself to this agonizing reality. Simply put, Alice would have to concede that I was supposed to be by myself.

A fresh voice called out in front of me, "Here's your drink," jerking me out of the thoughts that were gnawing at me.

I looked up from my glass to see a different-shaped cup in front of me that was still being held by thick fingers. I kept looking up and saw that it was the bartender speaking to me. It was a guy I had had my drink prepared by many times on the various numbers of dates I made myself go on.

I said "Oh," then turned to face the crimson hue in the glass. I don't believe this was my order, there must be a mistake. Even as to what it was, I had no idea.

He began to say, "I know," as he moved the glass closer to me. He told me, "It's on the house," and took my empty glass away.

I fought the urge to grin as I struggled to believe that this man was helping me out of sympathy. Did he often see ladies being dumped by their dates? Or am I the only pitiful person?

I don't drink, as much as I enjoy it. Not even melancholy could make me crave the alcoholic beverage, so I attempted to ignore him.

He rephrased, "I know," as though he had no intention of leaving any time soon. He assured me that it was alcohol-free and that I would like it. "Don't you get sick of drinking the same stuff over and over again? Why not give something new a shot?

I was aware that he was referring to the beverages, but his inquiries seemed more profound. I started to reflect on all of the blind dates I had gone on. They were all the same, albeit they were all various kinds of guys. No matter who I met via Alice, nothing changed. I looked at the drink and told him, "I am tired." I chewed my lip as I eyed the heavier liquid. The question "What is it?"

He crossed his arms and leaned against the bar as if waiting for me to drink his concoction, "It's a Cinderella," he said. I became heavier as a result of his gaze being fixed on me. I stopped thinking about Mark because of the type of attention he was providing me. I had to overcome the impulse to not approach him and meet him halfway. Naturally, I was simply letting my mind go there.

Taking the glass, grabbing the straw, and stirring the beverage, I couldn't help but giggle at the irony. While I would have like to have been a lovely prince who fell in love with a beautiful princess, it didn't seem as if my story would have a happy conclusion.

I smiled sarcastically and said, "Cheers," before taking a drink. The delicious mixture caused my taste buds to erupt, which was plenty to cause me to groan. Better than I could have anticipated, really. I sucked it in halfway, put the glass down, and grinned a little more naturally.

I squinted as I tried to see the name on the bartender's name tag as I looked at him. Mason, I'm grateful. He smiled as we locked eyes, seeming pleased with how I responded.

"From now on, when you drop by, you may sometimes switch up your usual. You may pass the time by experimenting with other flavors; I've prepared a lot of beverages over the years.

He suggested with a raised eyebrow.

I raspberries and shrug my shoulders. If he recognized me only as a result of all those unsuccessful dates, it was fairly horrible. I took the straw and swirled the remaining mixture. I looked at him and noted his features. How could I spend all this time without seeing how handsome he was? Was I really so preoccupied with finding a partner that I failed to see the chance waiting around the corner? I bit my lip since I knew I shouldn't be staring at him like that. Given that I had just been abandoned, it was difficult for me to fathom how it would seem if I had moved on to someone else. especially if they were a member of our staff.

However, he did help me recognize that I wanted to make the calls rather than allow someone else choose for me. This guy didn't appear like a terrible guy. His voice was as rich as a piece of velvet cake, and he had a lovely grin. Why didn't she find him for me instead of men who were never a good fit?

I concurred as my lips twitched upward, "Mixing up the ordinary does sound alluring. My wandering gaze landed on the absence of a wedding band, which revealed his single status. Despite the fact that it was always possible, I would find it difficult to believe a man like him could be unmarried. It would be enough if he could only remove an itch that I had been living with for so long.

I would settle for second best if I couldn't find love. I only hope that going against everything I believed in won't make me regret it. Although hooking up was the last thing on my mind, I was starting to care less now.

I tried not to let myself be discouraged as my chest felt my heart pound. "How do you feel? Are you occupied? after work, that is. Excellent, now I just need to throw a pickup line at him and I'm good to go. I had to resist the desire to sneer at myself as I struggled to speak clearly. It turns out that asking a handsome man out is more difficult than I had anticipated.

I was greeted with silence instead of an abrupt rejection. I was taken aback when I was able to meet his eyes since I was prepared for any kind of rejection. He seemed as astonished as I was, judging by his expression.

I brushed some hair behind my ear as heat erupted over my face. I made an effort not to look for the closest exit to flee from my guilt as I was getting ready to apologize.

"Yes, er, no. I'm not occupied. My amazement was only increased by his response. He made the same uncomfortable noises I was making.

In my mid-twenties, I ought to have already accepted this offer. Why did I feel so humiliated? He confirmed, so that ought to have been plenty to comfort me.

You won't just vanish out of nowhere on me, are you? I made a half-hearted joke.

My skin began to flush with goosebumps at the sound of his laugh. "I wouldn't dream of doing it." Then he climbed up and over the bar. "Meet me at the back if you haven't left by closing time." He grabbed my drink and gave me instructions. "Another?"

I nodded and refrained from grinning. Not to get my hopes up, I had to tell myself. This wasn't the kind of thing you'd find in a romance book. I could use this to help me get beyond my past.

After everything was said and done, I had a good feeling that I would have had enough of these blind dates. I wanted to experience the total opposite because I was sick of suffering. I had a good feeling that this guy would be able to assist me in having that precise experience.

Jane

It was becoming late, and the longer I waited outside the back door, the more I wished I could just go and never return to this neighborhood. I had the impression that nothing could stop me when I made the offer. My self-consciousness was now beginning to bother me.

I sighed and checked the time on my phone. My breath was audible, and the weather was becoming chilly. I then made a mental note to give it another five minutes before calling it a day. I waited till it was time to go while leaning my back against the brick wall.

With only a few seconds left, the door opened. I genuinely jumped at the suddenness and put my palm on my chest to try to calm my racing heart.

He was just as astonished when I emailed him the offer as when he looked at me. He asked whether I was kidding. Even as he said, "You're still here," he seemed perplexed. It was sufficient for my lips to slightly grin.

Perhaps it was worthwhile to wait for him. I battled against the shiver that wanted to go through me as I crossed my arms over my chest. "We should go, it's really cold outside."

He muttered an expletive before grabbing his jacket. He hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, I didn't even think about it," and took it off.

He handed me his coat, and I furrowed my brows. Were one-night stands expected to be that thoughtful? Simply put, I was overthinking things. I would have come more prepared if I had known that I would be out till so late. I decided it wouldn't harm, so I went ahead and took him up on his offer. My grin widened as he encircled me with his cloak.

I said, "Thank you," and pulled the jacket closer to my body. I inhaled and was immediately overcome by a wash of stale perfume. He had a nice scent.

He glanced my way as we started to leave the pub. He enquired, "My place sound good?"