Dating a Lawyer, First Encounter

 

And, just like that, he walked out. After a couple of years talking about the life we wanted to live, the business we wanted to have together and, after all the negotiating we had to do to get to a point where we were almost at an agreed upon merger...and, he's out. What happened? The magic left and so did he. We had a real good thing between us but, was it love? This is the real problem of every situation I involve myself with when dating.

My name isn't important however, my tagline, as the kids call it, is Danger Mouse. I get the tag due to the type of work I get into. I'm a lawyer. And, before you start to judge, I won't tell you what type of lawyer I am because the nails in the coffin will be legendary. Let's say that I do my job well and I get paid well. There's a certain type of attitude one has to adopt when you are in my position, being a woman, and there are no mistakes. I don't like to be a hard ass, I have to be in this line of work. You do not get anywhere by being nice or cooperative. You get there by blood, sweat, and tears; most don't get to see the tears (we save those for champagne nights with some light jazz). As you can see, it is not an easy job nor is it an easy position. I date within my own circle of peers however, the gene-pool is not what it use to be. My urges are taking me elsewhere. These are my follies due to not knowing other avenues of dating and my mishaps to discovering myself in a professional world with not so professional encounters.

This particular night I went out for a bite. It's late. Street food is available. I'm hungry. I have been told that I have a way about me. I don't know if I should take that positively? I know what I want and when I want it. I am leaving my building to walk this long-ass alleyway to get to my favorite place. Seedy, yes. Damn good food? Hell yes! I would do illegal stuff just to get this food delivered but alas, they do not deliver. That's how they get you. You have to come to them for your fix. Class act. So, I leave my building, walk this alleyway to get to my favorite late-night food, Korean BBQ when this funny guy opens the door for me and says, "Malady." He was so proud of himself at that moment. You could tell by the shit-eating grin on his face. I was polite and said thank you. I headed in to grab the goods and split. When I got to the counter I noticed my food was there, waiting. The bill was paid. The lady behind the counter did not greet me the same, she just stood there gesturing a look behind me. There was a moment I thought we were in danger but quickly remembered my location and turned carefully around. This very young, good looking man with a smile spread wide across his face like he really did something special. I politely asked, "Is this your doing?" 

 He nodding, full of pride and joy. Who could take this moment from him? I certainly couldn't. I continued the conversation, 

"What's the occasion"? 

  His eyes averted to the floor like a lost pup. When he found the courage, he spoke in this beautiful deep, warm, resonating voice. 

"I thought I would brighten your evening since you haven't had too many of those these past few weeks." 

 So bold. Admitting you have been stalking me for weeks. This can only be in my favor as I have the upper hand in this situation, so I thought. 

 "Yeah. I've noticed in the kitchen how hard you have been working. You come here all the time. You are always polite. You always tip really well. We wanted to do something for you tonight to brighten your evening." 

 And, that statement made me take a step back. Here I am, cynical, expecting something nefarious to happen and this random act of kindness sets the tone for what had been a rough few weeks. 

"Thank you," I replied. "I have had a rough time lately. May I tip you...?" 

 The hand was already lifted to suggests, no. This was their way of saying thank you for the support. I thanked them multiple times before I left and felt a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time, felt good.

I began to smell the food in a different way on the walk home. I noticed hints of this and that, spice really. I realized how good this will taste after being recognized as a hard-working person. On the way home, I couldn't help but feel a bit warmer when suddenly I ran into something like a brick. I looked up to see a person. A man. A well-dressed man with sauce on his clean white shirt, damn it. 

"I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." 

To which he replied, "No worries, I was going to where you just came from, I assume. Your dinner is making me hungry." 

 We laughed for a brief second. 

"May I take care of that dry-cleaning for you?" The grin on his face left me shook. I don't get shook that often. 

"That's not necessary. Thank you all the same. Enjoy your meal and, my apologies." 

 With a polite look, he was gone. Didn't get his name, bummer. Still thinking about the delicious meal I was about to have, I heard footsteps behind me. I quickly turn around and it was the mysterious man from the alleyway, which doesn't sound creepy at all. 

"Would you like to eat with me?" 

 Such a simple gesture to have food, share life, and possibly a laugh however, in this line of work, it could be a trap for a case so I respectfully declined at this time. Maybe another time was possibly mentioned. He gave me his number and used that powerful smile of his to say, 

"Next time indeed." 

 Seems like this one is always walking away from me.