“What are you doing tonight?” The last real man asked one Saturday morning. “Nothing, why?” I said half asleep. “Well, I have this engagement party tonight. Do you want to come with me?”
Like a spring I sat up in bed and just looked at him. “What, seriously, an engagement party?” I said, looking at him in disbelief.
“Yeah. I’ve talked to my mate and he said it’s fine for you to come.” You’ve talked to your mate? It’s fine for me to come? The words echoing inside my spinning head. Talk about pre-organising! How long had he been contemplating this little invitation I wondered.
I accepted the surprise invite and found myself unexpectedly excited. It wasn’t the fact that he wanted to spend the entire weekend together, but that he was comfortable enough with me and the relationship to introduce me to his friends. I felt like I was being invited into his inner circle and that he was happy to show me off. With the exception of meeting the family, this, I thought, was a big step forward.
After confirming plans for the night he left and said he’d be back around 4pm. My head was still spinning, this guy had everything planned to perfection.
My heart was pounding with excitement as I rummaged through the wardrobe to find an appropriate dress. I’d managed to keep a man in my life for six weeks and one who really appeared to want me as much as I wanted him. I had to make a good impression and get the tick of approval from everyone I’d meet.
He arrived back at my house, beers in hand and ready for a night out. “You look nice,” he said as I opened the door. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I quipped. He’d scrubbed up very well indeed!
We headed out and my first assignment was to meet his best friend. We arrived, introductions were made and then the awkwardness of the situation kicked in. It was clear to see that the last real man didn’t introduce many, if any, dates to his best mate. He was pleasant to me, as was his girlfriend, but I didn’t feel that immediate “click” you get with some people. All things aside, I liked this couple and I tried my best to interact with them and get to know them. After a couple of drinks and some chit-chat we were off to the engagement party. There was good banter between us all in the car and I finally felt like I was now holding my own.
Upon arrival, we were greeted at the door by the groom-to-be, and I was introduced. “I’ve heard a lot about you; nice to meet you. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you.”God I hope so I thought. Although right now, I’m not exactly sure what I am. I haven’t actually been introduced with the title of girlfriend. Early days I thought.
The night progressed with more introductions, drinks, food, speeches, dancing and flowing conversation. Now as many girls will attest, some men aren’t exactly liberal with telling a girl how they truly feel, and certainly not in the early stages of a relationship. However, when you bring beer into the equation feelings soon start to flow.
There was one point during the night that I caught the last real man just looking at me. Naturally thinking he’d over indulged on the truth serum, I laughed and said, “What are you looking at?” “You,” he said. “I’m struggling to find anything I don’t like about you.” The words poured out with such sincerity and emotion, it was like it was just him and me in the room. I moved closer to him and echoed his words. “I’m struggling to find anything I don’t like about you either,” and followed up with a lingering kiss.
It was at this point that a very drunken friend appeared and flung his arm around the last real man. “All right mate, how long’s this been official then?” he said. Looking a little shell-shocked, the last real man replied, “well, now I guess.” “You’ve done well there mate,” he quipped as the last real man answered back with a cheeky grin.
By this stage the night had started to slow down and we were all ready to head home. From the moment I jumped in the car the last real man held my hand so tight like he never wanted to let it go. To this day, that night is still vivid and sticks in my mind. It was a night that I didn’t want to end because the last real man was such a perfect date.
The Dating Diary 