Dating : A Perfect Moment?

“I don’t know, man. I could’ve swore I saw that big toe of yours scratch concrete once.”

“You know what, you’re just saying that because you can’t pull yours out right now!”

.

Our friend group was on our way back from the bar (you know, pre-covid), and that discount wine was so delicious that one of us thought his toe accusations would be comical and incendiary; he was right.

“Your toes are definitely the ugliest!”

“Excuse me?” I laughed, “You clearly have the worst ones since you brought it up!”

I had never been much of a “bar guy” because I noticed most guys, when they drink, start lying to women like athletes who need a foul, and it turned me off at a young age. I went this time because I really love my friend…

Friends, I mean. Right?

Although if she hadn’t gone, I would’ve probably cancelled.

There was a point where I’d had a drink (or three?) and I knew she’d had one or two. Like always, our eyes would connect for only a moment, but those moments always feel like an eternity. I tended to overthink about what our friends would say, or how they would react, or about other trivial things that didn’t really matter; excuses for ‘a perfect moment?’ to arrive.

But this time, I didn’t think. I walked toward her, eyes locked and she automatically did the same. I felt warmness in my eyes from the fire in hers.

One step…

two steps…

three step —

“Hey, man! Did you try this wine?!” our friend said to me, as he quite literally stepped between us and commanded my attention. We both looked at him and it proved difficult to conceal my annoyance. But I managed.

After all, we are all friends and we came here for the wine. Right? Soon, we rejoined the rest of the group and carried on with our drunken night.

On the ride back, we sat together while the music blared and I could feel my emotions boldly conversating on my sleeve.

“Is it the grin that creeps up when she’s having fun? Is it the goofy stance when she giggles? Or maybe it’s the shyness that glimmers in her eye when she notices me noticing? Why is it that I want to love her in every way she could ever want? Does it matter why?”

Suddenly, the music cut…

“I hate to say it man, but it must be said. You got some ugly toes.”

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jacorry K. Lewis.