The Feline Gaze

I could go.

I could get a date and we could go together as a couple. I’d be able to show her off and she’d show me off and I wouldn’t have to spend the evening pretending not to be totally and completely bored. Besides, there’s always the chance that I could find someone real. Someone wonderful. There’s a chance I could find someone who could make my icy heart melt and for a little while, I wouldn’t have to feel so totally and completely alone.

That wouldn’t be too bad, would it?

Realization and satisfaction and contentment all wrap into one warm feeling of happiness as I realize that this is exactly what I’m going to do. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s time to stop sitting back and letting the world pass me by. It’s time to take action. It’s time to do something for myself, and there’s no better time to start than right now.

I’m going to find a date.

I just need to figure out how.

Chapter 3

Cassidy

“So, tell me something about yourself,” the tall, skinny shifter across from me says. He leans forward, as though he’s interested in what I’ve got to say. That’s a good sign, I tell myself. Maybe this evening won’t be a total disaster. Maybe I’ll actually have some fun.

The shifter across from me isn’t unattractive. He’s got big green eyes and bushy eyebrows. They’re actually kind of endearing, but I’m wildly uncomfortable with this entire situation and it totally shows in my own body language. I have no problem with meeting strangers or new people thanks to my job, but somehow, tonight feels different.

Maybe it’s because I’m actively looking for a date or perhaps it’s just because I’m not really in the mood to be here. I’m not sure. Either way, everything that’s happening feels forced and awkward. Even the line, so tell me about yourself, feels fake.

Still, I’m already here, so I might as well answer.

“Well, I’m in real estate,” I start to say, and instantly, the shifter cuts me off.

“Oh, fantastic. It’s so nice when a woman has a hobby she enjoys. You know, I’ve always found that it’s difficult for many women to find ways to utilize their time when they’re simply stuck at home all day with the children.”

Wait, what?

“Excuse me?” I raise an eyebrow.

Did he just call my career a hobby?

Surely, he didn’t.

Surely it was just a misunderstanding, but as soon as the guy – whose handwritten nametag says Greg – starts speaking again, I realize that I definitely didn’t misunderstand him at all.

“Oh, of course,” he continues. “My mother had many hobbies when she was raising my brothers and me. We played chess and we were on the football team. She drove us around and when she wasn’t looking after us, she often liked to read.”

“No offense to your mom, but I think you misunderstood. Real estate is my job, as in, my career.” Levels of impatience and agitation are rising within me, but Greg ignores me and just keeps on digging this weird hole of insults he’s chosen to jump into.

“Oh, yeah, I mean, I get it,” he leans forward, elbows on the table, and just looks at me. “A job is a really important hobby for women to have. I totally support that. I mean, of course, once you have kids, that’s all going to change, but for now, it’s totally great you have something to keep you busy.”

And that’s strike three.

How do I meet guys like this?

I can practically feel my assistant rolling her eyes at the situation I’ve managed to somehow get myself into. Fortunately, my hobby has prepared me to deal with guys like Greg before and this isn’t anything I can’t handle. I’m not scared to stand up for myself and I’m certainly not scared to let someone know when I’m dissatisfied with what they’re offering me. Which, in this case, is nothing.

“Yeah, no, this isn’t going to work,” I motion between us.

“What?” He sits back, obviously taken by surprise. “What’s wrong?”

“Dude, you just insulted me on like 37 different levels. I swear to dragons that if you call my career a hobby one more time, I’m going to punch you in the damn face.”

“But I was just trying to be supportive.”