30th December2025
To sayI'm apprehensive as to how this date will go is an understatement. So far, I'm three for four on negative experiences, plus one positive date, but with no chemistry. This online dating lark is hard – they either lie about their looks, or about who they are as a person. It's exhausting. What happened to meeting someone organically?
You did meet someone organically. You even had a baby with him,my brain unhelpfully supplies. Shut up, brain.
I'm supposedly meeting a man called Jake Richards, five-foot-eleven, dark brown hair just greying at the temples, brown eyes, groomed beard and a killer smile. A train driver who loves to play tennis, loves to read psychological thrillers in his downtime, and has two cats named Stephen and King. I guess we'll see how much of that is true. Or maybe he'll stand me up! Haven't had that outcome yet.
I step into Better Latte Than Never, happily wearing my favourite jeans and Ugg boots, and breathe in the calming aroma of freshly ground coffee and baked goods. Elle winks at me from behind the counter when she looks up and flicks her eyes towards the tables in the window.
Thankfully, Jake was open to my suggestion of Elle's cafe for a coffee date to kill several birds with one stone. Delicious coffee and cake, gossiping with my bestie about my date immediately after, said friend getting to check him out for approval, and the additional bonus of being somewhere I know well and feel safe in.
I look at the tables to my left and see him already heading towards me with a smile.
Damn, his profile photos actually don't do him justice!
“Shari, wow, I didn't think you could be more beautiful than your photos, but I'm happy to report that I was wrong,” he rumbles.
Nice voice too, I note.
He kisses me on the cheek and leads me to a chair, pulling it out for me.
“Funny, I was just thinking the same about you, Jake.”
Jake beams and asks for my order so he can go back up to the counter.
“Medium, skinny, salted caramel latte, please.”
He taps the table once with a roguish grin and saunters up to the counter. I shamelessly ogle his backside from my seat. It's a good view, sue me. Elle notices, of course, and waggles her eyebrows at me when Jake isn't looking. Well, his looks have gotten the seal of approval, at least. Let's hope he's not a narcissistic douche canoe.
Jake returns with our coffees and we easily slip into a chat about books, our beloved pets, and work. So far, so good!
“So tell me, Shari. Do you like to travel?”
“Oh, I absolutely do! Sometimes the actual travelling part can be long and tedious, but I love exploring new places and just having a change of scenery. Where's your favourite place you've visited so far?”
“Ah, now that's a really good question with more than one answer. But if I had to pick one place, it would be Sydney. There's just so much to do and see, and you can still escape to a beach or the mountains if you want, but the bustle of the city is pretty contagious,” his eyes light up as he talks. “Have you been to Aus?”
Smiling, I incline my head in agreement. “Many times. My dad is from Brisbane.”
Our conversation is easy, and Jake is so attentive, never once appearing bored or checking out other women. Or my feet. I realise that's a low bar to set, but seriously,see previous dates.
Before I know it, we've been talking for two hours and Brad is texting me to ask what time I'll be picking Lizzie up.
“Sorry, it's my baby's father, let me just phone him really quickly. I'll be back in a sec.”
“Of course.”
I step outside, the frozen wind slapping my cheeks, and phone Brad, who answers on the first ring.
“Hey, thought it would be easier just to phone you.”
“Yeah, no worries. So, scale of one to ten, how bad was the date?”
“Honestly? It's still going, and I'd probably give it a nine right now. He looks exactly like his photos, he's charming and attentive and...I don't know, our conversation has been really easy!”
The line is silent and I pull the phone away from my ear to check the call didn't disconnect, but it says we're still on. “Brad? Can you hear me?”
He clears his throat, “Yeah. Sorry. That's good it's going well. You deserve it.” He clears his throat again. “So, uh, what time were you thinking of picking Lizzie up? There's no rush, I just wasn't sure what you were planning since you're usually eager to end your dates early. Do you want me to feed her or..?”
