Meeting Him in a Coffee Shop ✓

Be mostly sober

"How 'bout this, you pay for the next time we eat out?"

"Hold on now, this date isn't even over and you're already planning the next one? Cocky much, are we?"

He laughs, "What can I say, I'm pretty amazing! And this date is going to be the best one you've ever been on!"

My eyes widen when I realize what we had both just said.

I hurry to fix the problem, "Wait, this isn't like an actual date. Just like two friends, hanging out, with mutual interest. Nothing else." I pause, walking towards the table so that I don't have to look him in the eye when I have to say the next part, "Besides, I'm leaving tomorrow. It would be pointless to start something that can't be continued."

He gingerly takes the seat in front of me. "Oh," his voice comes out quiet as if saying it any louder might cause me to leave earlier.

"Yeah," I'm unsure of what else to say.

Thankfully our food comes to break the awkward silence. But even as we start eating, it remains mostly quiet except for the occasional remarks of the tastiness of the food.

The silence was really starting to get to me, especially in contrast to the way that we were talking with each other earlier about every topic under the sun.

"I didn't mean for that remark to dampen our moods. I was just pointing out that we shouldn't get too attached." I take a deep breath, preparing myself to continue. "Look, I had- I'm having a great time hanging out with you. I don't think I've ever met someone that I've clicked with so easily and so quickly for that matter. I'm not even sure what this is and honestly, I don't want it to end, but we have to get back to reality. I have to go back home tomorrow. I have my life there and you have yours here. All that I'm trying to say is that-"

"I know, I mean, I understand. I've more than enjoyed our time together. It's been the best two hours of my life and I don't want it to end either. But you're right, we have separate lives that we have to get back to. You say that we shouldn't get too attached, but I fear it's too late. I really enjoyed spending time with you, I really like laughing with you, I really like joking around, I really like talking to you about anything and nothing. I really like you." He stops, peering into my eyes with his warm blue ones, seemingly searching for something.

I want to say those words back to him, but fear it will only make things worse. I know that what I will have to say will not make him happy, but what comes out of my mouth next still makes him smile, "Should we get ice cream? You know as one last thing?"

He nods his head while smiling, "Sure, we can take an Uber to a great ice cream shop I know. It's near the London Eye. Have you been?"

I get up from my seat to throw away the trash from my delicious meal that I wish I could have enjoyed more. "No, not yet."

He follows close behind me, "Really, why? I thought you went all over London?"
"I did, I just didn't want to go to the London Eye," I say matter-of-factly, trying to hide my true emotions.

His bushy eyebrows furrow in confusion, "Heights?"

"Actually no," I feel my cheeks heating up. "I just had some requirements I need to be fulfilled before I could get on," I say, each word getting quieter than the last.

"And those are?" he prods.

I step out of the cafe in attempts to end the conversation when he calls me back, "Don't think you're getting away so easily, we have the entire car ride there."