Date #3 – Doug, Video Production Coordinator

How We Met

For the last few months, I’ve been on what I’d like to consider my last and final battle of the bulge. In these few months, I have been hitting the gym pretty hard. When I’m there, I like being left alone. I don’t like being talked to, or disturbed during my workouts whatsoever. The last thing I expect is to catch the eye of any man while I’m sweating in areas that otherwise require contact for this to happen and breathing like a insane woman. I had seen Doug several times before in the gym; always focused on his own workout and lifting weight that would take ten men to do.

I was in my Cardio Kickboxing class when we first made eye contact. I had slowed down to catch my breath and to relieve this pseudo contraction that I was experiencing in my side from the fast paced rhythm that the instructor was keeping up. He was standing outside of the class with two other guys, watching us through the glass. As I was doubled over in pain, feeling like I’m about to take my last breath, I turn to see Doug smiling at me; well, I don’t know if that was a smile or if he was laughing at something the other two guys were saying because something in the class was clearly comical to them. Hell, were they laughing at me? I break my eye contact with Doug, close my eyes, take a deep breath and turn my attention back to the instructor. ‘I’ll give these dicks something to laugh at’, I determine in my mind, and I’m back at it. 

“1…2… step kick… 1…2… step kick… punch… punch… punch… punch…,” the instructor yells.

We continue at this pace for another 15 minutes. My mind is telling me I can do it, but my body is saying, “Bitch please!”

The class is over and I literally crumble to the floor. Although the cool down was enough to stabilize my labored breathing, it wasn’t enough to keep me from feeling like I was knocking at deaths door. It was like something out of a movie, as I lay sprawled out on the floor, eyes closed, mouth dry, wishing someone would put me out of my misery, I hear a voice above me,

“Get up girl! You not that tired.”

God… is that you? I thought. As I open one eye, one of the lights from the room beams down into my face and I can only make out a silhouette of whomever this is telling me to get up. I can tell that he has his hand extended to help me get up but I push past it and help myself up off the floor. To my surprise, it’s him. He’s standing there, again, with that stupid ass smile on his face.

“What’s so funny?” I ask slightly annoyed.

“Nothing.” He responds. “Nothing at all. I’m not laughing at anything, I’m smiling because I admire the effort that I see you put out there every time you’re here.” He continues, “I see you come into this gym, and kick butt on the machines, with the weights and in this class damn near every day.” He smiles, “Yeah… I see you.”

Oh Lord! He’s been watching me? Is this dude some kind of perv? Despite still being overheated from my workout, my entire body temperature raises another ten degree’s from embarrassment. I gather my things, put on my jacket and scarf and give a half-hearted smile as I start to leave. As I begin to walk away, he grabs the sleeve of my jacket,

“Wait a minute,” he starts, “I know you don’t like talking much when you’re here,”

Startled, I ask, “What makes you say that?”

He takes a step back and gives me a smirk, “C’mon now! I told you I’ve been watching you. Not like some creep but just noticed you,” he says, “I’ve seen other dudes try to holla or even speak and you look right through’em.”  

I couldn’t argue with that… ‘tis true! I nod my head in agreement and almost explained why I’m like that, but he cut me off.

“But, I think it’s funny, and I understand because I’m the same way in here.”  He said.

Confused, I asked, “Sooooo why are you talking to me now? Why are you interrupting my workout?” I know it came off rude, but I didn’t get it. If he’s just like me in this respect, why is he talking to me?

Looking over his shoulder at the two girls who had been spying on our conversation, he grabs my elbow and moves me away. “Well, you aren’t exactly working out right NOW are you?” he smirks.

   

Okay okay… semantics. Smartass! True, I was not working out at that very moment, however, I was still at the gym so it’s all the same as far as I’m concerned. I was beginning to get impatient. I was ready to go home, take my shower, and be a bum for the rest of the night and he was standing in my way of all of that.

“Alright, I won’t hold you up any longer. Can I call you sometime?” he asked.

I wasn’t too sure that I wanted to give him my number. We workout at the same gym. What if things don’t go well? What if he’s an asshole? What if he has boring conversation (one of my major pet peeves and a big turn off)? What if he’s narcissistic (hate that too)? Then I have to come in here and see his face on a regular basis. I don’t need that awkwardness in my life; not up in here. Not in the one place where I can really relieve all of the other stresses of my life.

“Ehhhhhh…” I begin, “I don’t know if that’s a smart decision.”

The look on his face told me that he wasn’t expecting that answer. I’m sure of it. I can tell he’s not used to women turning him down. I get that. He’s a great looking man. 6’3”, 215 pounds, caramel complexion, low fade hair cut, neatly trimmed goatee, ALL OF HIS NATRUAL GOD GIVEN TEETH, no tats, no piercings… just a beautiful man. Sorry… got caught up for a moment there.

“Look”, he begins, “I’m not trying to do anything but get to know you. Maybe I can help you with your workouts? Nothing major.”

Although the offer was very tempting, I just could not do it. Oh how I wanted to punch myself in the face for sticking to my guns on this one, but I had to.

“Sorry, uhhh, what’s your name?” I say.

“It’s Doug” he says flatly.

“Cool. It’s nice to meet you Doug, I’m Candy, and I’m sorry, but I just can’t.”

“You must have a man?” he asked

Shaking my head, “Nope. I sure do not.”

Nodding as if he was trying to come to grips with being turned down, he extends his hand for me to shake,

“Well, it was nice meeting you Ms. Candy. Good luck with your workouts.” He says as we shake hands and he turns on his heels and heads back over to the weights.

Another two weeks of workouts went by before he would brave the waters again and ask for my number. This time, I gave in and gave it to him.

The Date

After a several weeks of phone conversations, texts, and brief speaking moments at the gym, he finally asks if I’d like to go out. He explained it as two friends just going out to grab a bite to eat. He knew that I was still on the fence about us seeing each other in a dating capacity, hence the explanation.

I agreed to the date and was actually excited. We decided to meet at the Cloud9 Hookah Lounge & Café down the street and then catch a movie at Studio Movie Grill which was in the same plaza. For some reason, my nerves were frayed. I had saw Doug earlier that day at the gym and even then I was nervous to talk to him. It was like I didn’t know him. Like we had never met, talked, or seen each other before- but why? Was I really being honest with myself about the way that I looked at him? In my mind, we were friends; Nothing more nothing less. There was no romantic sparks, no chemistry, nothing drawing me in. So I thought.

We agreed to meet at the Hookah Lounge around 8:30 p.m. I arrived right on time. Doug text me saying he was on his way. I sat in my car and waited. It was raining and freezing outside but that didn’t stop one couple who stood out front, passionately kissing under the umbrella. The way the guy grabbed her neck and pulled her closer, as his hands roamed through her hair… *sigh*… I had to pull my gaze away. I don’t have the slightest idea whether this was an couple that was just dating, were they married, had they just met, or what, but I do know that there was passion in that kiss. I wanted that kind of passion in my own life. Not necessarily with Doug, but I just wanted that feeling. To be kissed as if the world began and ended with me and no one or nothing else matter.

The ringing of my cell interrupted my thoughts. It was Doug.

“Hello” I said.

“Hey Ms. Candy. I’m here. Where are you?” he asked.

I looked around to see if I could see his truck or him and saw nothing.

“You’re here? Where? I don’t see you.”

“I’m inside.” He said.

Inside? When did he get inside? I was so caught up with the kissing twosome and my own thoughts that I didn’t even notice that Doug had walked in the lounge behind them.

Once inside, the lounge is dark and I can barely see. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” is blaring through the speakers and the place is densely occupied. Dressed in a tan blazer, powder blue button down shirt and NICELY fitting jeans, Doug waves me over to the bar and I have to consciously remind myself to just B-R-E-A-T-H. He is looking and smelling like something straight out of a dream. This didn’t help me not one bit in this moment.

We hug and I damn near melt. I love a man that smells good. I know that smell. It’s one of my favorites. I ask, “You got on ‘Kenneth Cole Black’ don’t you?”

He smiles and says, “How’d you know?”

Patting myself on the back, “I know my colognes my friend and that right there is one of my favs.”

His right eyebrow raises and he leans in closer and does a shimmy in my face, “Well drink it in sexy!”. We both crack up laughing and take a seat in one of the corner sections of the lounge. He orders a Patron and Sprite and I ask for a water with lemon. I’m not a big alcohol drinker. Never have I been one to ask out right for an alcoholic beverage.

“Water? That’s what you’re going to drink all night?” he asks.

I lean to the side and joking poke him, “What’s wrong with water? I don’t like the way alcohol tastes.”

“So you don’t drink? At all?” he asks.

“Not really,” I say. “I do occasionally, but it is VERY rare.”

The waitress returns with our drinks and asks if we’re going to want any specific flavors in our hookah’s. I’ve never done the whole hookah thing before. I have friends that do and I’ve seen it done, but I’ve never actually done it. Doug asks her to give us a few more minutes and she leaves us with a list of the various flavors that are available.

“Ooooo, let’s try the strawberries and champagne” Doug says. For some reason, I always think that the combination of strawberries and champagne anything is so damn corny, but it’s his choice so whatever. I see a flavor that I want as well. Doug asks for the strawberries and champagne and I ask for the “give it to me slow” which is a mixture of coconut, berry, and crème.

“Give it to me slow huh?” he says playfully pinching me. “You like it slow Ms. Candy?”

Jeeeeeeeeeeeezus be a hydrant and cool this fire that is welling up in me right now!!! 

“Whatever Doug!” I quickly say and change the subject.

The waitress returns with our flavors and Doug pours them in. Since it’s my first time, I watch him slowly suck on the hookah pipe. His lips wrap around the pipe, his chest heaves and he stares intently at me. I see he’s not going to make this easy for me. So I’m going to have a little fun with him. MY TURN!!! I grasp the pipe firmly.

“Gentle baby! You gotta grab that thang gently. You can’t be man handling the pipe.”

“Ha ha ha… very funny!” I jab back at him. Clearly he knew what he was doing when he suggested that we come here. But it’s fun so I’m enjoying it. 

I place the pipe in my mouth and he is staring at my lips like I’ve just eaten the last piece of dessert and he wanted it back from my mouth. As I begin to suck on the pipe, he lips part slightly and as I inhale, so does he. Talk about sexy moments. This is one for the books.

We spend about another hour at the Hookah Lounge before we head over to Studio Movie Grill. He purchases tickets to see “Django Unchained”. I hadn’t seen it yet and neither had he, so we were set. Inside of the theater was pretty empty, which I loved. I hate going to the movies anyways. I’m always cursing someone or someone’s child out for some reason or other so I try not to go. We order our food before the movie starts and converse about nothing in general.

During the movie, he pulls my chair closer to him and clasps my hand in his. At that moment, I exhaled. It was never my intention to really like Doug, but I found it hard not to. We have great conversations, he’s well traveled, so he knows and has seen a lot about the world, he’s good looking, and he’s a gentleman. Date #1 has some MAJOR competition right now.

The movie ends and he walks me to my car. The rain has stopped but it’s still pretty cold. I unlock my door to get in and he tugs at the back of my coat. As I turn around, he’s smack dab right in my face. “Do I get a goodnight hug?” he asks.

“Of course,” I say reaching out to hug him. “Thank you so much Doug. This was really fun and I had such a good time.”

As we hug, I silently take a few more whiffs of his cologne. “Smells good don’t it?” I shove him jokingly and pull back feigning surprise. He caught me. I had to laugh because I thought I was being slick. We both laugh. As I turn back to get into my car, he grabs my hand to turn me back to him.

“I really enjoyed your company Ms. Candy,” he says.

Before he continued his statement, I had to interrupt him, “Please, pleaaaaaaaase, if you don’t do anything else, could you please stop calling me ‘Ms. Candy’?” I plead with him. “I feel like I’m your school teacher or one of the elderly mothers of the church!”

He apologizes and trumps it up to being a southern boy just being respectful. I can totally dig that. But I’d rather him leave off the “Ms” from here on out.

He continues with his statement, “As I was saying, I enjoyed your company CANDY,” he laughs, “I’d really like to do this again… soon, like tomorrow, if you’re okay with that?”

WOW! In the back of my mind, I knew that we would go out again, but I didn’t expect for him to ask for another date so soon; especially on Super Bowl Sunday. I already had a date for Sunday, so I lied and told him that I had plans with friends to go watch the game. I could tell he was a tad disappointed but he said he understood and asked if I would be free during the week. I told him to call me and that we could definitely work something out.

I swear this entire date seems a bit unreal. My only concern with Doug is that he’s 5 years younger than me and at times, it shows. Regardless of that, he’s still a seemingly great guy. He makes me laugh, he’s got a good career, and he can hold a good conversation. So, we’ll see how it pans out over the next few days. I’m sure we’ll go out again real soon.