Ted: Revisited

Sassy and I were having dinner at Copper Bar earlier this week when she once again tried to start the Lainie needs to start dating conversation. I know this is stemming from the fact that she now has a man friend and doesn’t want to leave me out. Well, that and the fact I have a deadline set and I think she is trying to keep me in town.

I have been interested in some guys around here, but I am really having trouble. There was Ken, who volunteers with me and I feel I have made it clear that I would be more than interested to spend time with him outside of our usual setting.

Nothing.

There’s Billy that I think might like me, but I am not sure if i like him more than a friend. And I really like having him as a friend and though it is so cliche, I really don't want to ruin the friendship. 

Then there’s Ted. It keeps coming back to him doesn’t it? About a month ago I realized that I haven’t been entirely fair to him with comparing him to Ralph and all and writing him off. I think Sassy has known that for a while and waited an appropriate amount of time to try to get him back on my radar.

Ted, who I have been hanging out with for the last six months as a friend so now he knows what a (proud) nerd I am and not only accepts it, he embraces it! Ted whom every time I see for the last few weeks has had my attention because the more I get to know him; I find he really is a great guy. I feel bad for dismissing him just because of Words with Friends and I haven’t even seen him play it in a while.

So I have been revisiting Ted as an option on my own and apparently so has Sassy. She chose her moment to let me in on that when she couldn’t handle any more of my nerd talk while we out. Actually, she let on that she can’t handle my nerd talk period. She almost had a breakdown when I started talking about Thor. She made me text Ted on the spot and try to go out with him and discuss the merits of Joss Whedon directing the Avengers (awesome!) because she had no idea what I was talking about.

So I texted him and somehow it was decided that we would go see The Avengers together (both for the second time) and I was waiting to hear back about when. I left the patio and went inside for a second and who should I see? Ted.  He was there with CB and Bret and we both looked at each other like the cat that ate the canary and I got bold and asked him to come out to the patio before he left. He did!

We had a great time and we even invited some random stranger over who was sitting by himself.  Sassy was super pissed at me about that because she had to talk to him and he was a bit on the weird side but I was too busy flirting with Ted to notice…much.

Ted and I decided to go to the movie on Friday night (date night!) and I spent the rest of the week with butterflies in my stomach.

Around five o’clock on Friday, the butterflies were smashed.

He texted me about an hour before we were supposed to meet to tell me that our friend CB didn’t have plans and he (Ted) invited him (CB) to the movie with us. 

So, it wasn’t a date and whether he meant to or not, CB was living up to his name.

Is he even kidding me?

I for real thought we were on the same page!

On the plus side, I am glad that I knew well in advance. Can you imagine me trying to hide my disappointment? I stomped around my apartment for the next 45 minutes and decided that I was going to get popcorn now that it didn’t matter if he saw how messy I am with it. I also decided that I wasn’t going to paint my nails. So there!

Despite my disappointment, I had a pretty good time with Ted and CB. While we were walking back to our cars, I was trying to work up the nerve to follow Sassy’s advice that I tell him (in a flirty way) that I was looking forward to spending time him. Only him.

I was about to when I realized that I am chicken shit and so not in the mood to get let down easy.  After a few minutes of small talk I got in my car and just sat there and he got in his and drove away.

As I reflected on my state of chicken shittiness, I realized that it wouldn’t be so bad to be let down easy. I could deal as long as I know there are no misunderstandings and I could make myself clear. I could live with it as long I was honest with him. That is one thing I learned from the crap with Ralph: Be honest. Early and often.  So I called him and he picked up on the second ring.

Ted: Hello?

Me: Ted?  Hey, it’s Lainie. I mean, you know that. Anyway, I know you just drove away and I realized that I would kick myself if I didn’t tell you that I do enjoy hanging out CB and usually wouldn’t mind if he came to a movie; I was looking forward to spending time with you. Just you. I don’t know if you are “there,” and it’s ok if you’re not. I just want to make it CLEAR that I want to get to know you better.

(Pause. Probably only a second, but it felt like an eternity)

Ted: Ok…ok…ok…Well, thank you for making yourself clear. Many women don’t do that and I really appreciate it. (Side note: This is the part where I cringed, because all of my years of dealing with boys, I fully expected the next words to be something like: “I’m very flattered, but…” or “You are such a good friend, but…”) Well, Lainie, I would like to get to know you better too. Are you available next week?

Me: (picking jaw off the floor) I am totally free.

Ted: Ok, I will figure out something fun for us to do and I will give you a call.

Me: OK. Well, I will see you next week. Have a good night! Bye!

Ted: Bye!

And that. Is how you get a date in this town.