I remember the exact moment I matched with Aaron. His face appeared on my screen with that little \u201cIt\u2019s a Match!\u201d banner, and just like that, I was hooked.<\/p>\n
He was, quite honestly, stunning\u2014broad shoulders, a clean-cut beard, eyes like warm honey dripping over fresh bread. His profile oozed confidence, and his bio wasn\u2019t half bad either: \u201cLooking for something real. Lover of books, coffee, and bad puns.\u201d<\/p>\n
A man who could appreciate a solid pun? Immediate bonus points.<\/p>\n
But what really got me? His messages. Thoughtful, engaging, not the typical \u201cHey, how\u2019s your day?\u201d fluff. Aaron actually remembered things. He\u2019d ask about the books I was reading, follow up on random anecdotes, and somehow make the most mundane topics feel interesting.<\/p>\n
Then, in the middle of a conversation about childhood nostalgia, I casually mentioned my favorite story growing up was Beauty and the Beast.<\/p>\n
Instead of the usual \u201cOh, that\u2019s cute\u201d response, Aaron surprised me.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo way, that was my favorite too! Though I gotta admit, I\u2019ve only seen the Disney version.\u201d<\/p>\n
I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt. \u201cThat counts,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d he shot back. \u201cA misunderstood guy with anger issues, a girl who sees the good in him, and they fall in love. Classic.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was it. That was the moment I felt it\u2014that click.<\/p>\n
A week of near-constant texting later, he asked me to dinner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know a spot you\u2019ll love,\u201d he said, sending me the address of an upscale Italian place downtown.<\/p>\n
I Googled it and my eyebrows nearly hit the ceiling. White tablecloths. Candlelight. A menu with no prices.<\/p>\n
\u201cOoh, fancy. Should I bring a ball gown?\u201d I teased.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly if you plan on dancing with a beast.\u201d<\/p>\n
I laughed so hard I snorted.<\/p>\n
When the night of our date arrived, I stepped into that restaurant and there he was.<\/p>\n
Aaron stood as soon as he saw me, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. Even better looking in person. Sharp charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, that perfectly tousled I-put-effort-into-looking-effortless hair.<\/p>\n
And when he leaned in for a quick hug? His cologne\u2014expensive, intoxicating, the kind of scent that lingers in your memory long after the person is gone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look incredible,\u201d he said, pulling out my chair.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstatement of the century,\u201d I shot back. \u201cYou look like you just closed a million-dollar deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnically, I did,\u201d he winked, and I rolled my eyes, laughing.<\/p>\n
If first dates had a grading scale, this one was an A+. No awkward pauses, no ex talk, no painful small talk about \u201cwhat do you do for fun?\u201d It was easy.<\/p>\n
Then, in the middle of appetizers, Aaron leaned forward, eyes warm with curiosity. \u201cWhat\u2019s something you\u2019ve never told anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n
I blinked, caught off guard. \u201cWow, going straight for the deep cuts, huh?\u201d I teased.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife\u2019s short. Why waste it on small talk?\u201d<\/p>\n
I thought for a second. \u201cOkay\u2026 I used to cheat at board games with my little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes widened in mock horror. \u201cNot board games.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh yeah,\u201d I grinned. \u201cMonopoly, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders\u2014ruthless.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aaron shook his head, lips twitching like he was trying not to laugh. \u201cRemind me to never play cards with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo promises,\u201d I shot back.<\/p>\n
It felt good. It felt right.<\/p>\n
And then dessert arrived.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when the night took a turn.<\/p>\n
Aaron reached under the table and pulled out a single red rose.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor you,\u201d he said, his voice softer than it had been all night.<\/p>\n
I blinked at it, my heart skipping a beat. A rose? Like in Beauty and the Beast? He remembered.<\/p>\n
I took it carefully, running my fingers over the soft petals. \u201cOh my God, this is like the fairy tale! You remembered!\u201d<\/p>\n
Aaron chuckled. Not a warm, sweet laugh. No, this was different. Self-satisfied. Smug.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, that\u2019s funny,\u201d he said. \u201cBut that\u2019s not why I brought it.\u201d<\/p>\n
I frowned. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
His smile stretched wider. \u201cIt\u2019s like The Bachelor. I give roses to women I go on dates with if I think they\u2019re good enough to move to the next round.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared at him, waiting for a punchline. Waiting for him to say just kidding.<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
He just sat there, completely serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo yeah, this rose is for you because I think you\u2019re great. If things go well, you\u2019ll keep getting roses. And when it\u2019s down to two women, I\u2019ll decide who I want to be with.\u201d<\/p>\n
I nearly choked on my tiramisu.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re serious?\u201d I asked, hoping I misheard him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely!\u201d he beamed. \u201cDating is hard, you know? This way, I make sure I\u2019m picking the right person.\u201d<\/p>\n
And that? That was the moment I checked out.<\/p>\n
I sat there, processing how my dream date had just turned into an unsanctioned reality show. A live-action dating competition. And I was an unpaid contestant.<\/p>\n
When Aaron excused himself to the restroom, I made a decision.<\/p>\n
I waved the waiter over, pulled out my card, and paid for both of us.<\/p>\n
Yes, I know I shouldn\u2019t have paid for him, too, but at the time, it felt like a power move. And I\u2019m petty.<\/p>\n
Then, I grabbed my purse, took the rose, and walked right out the door.<\/p>\n
No dramatic speech. No goodbye. Just a woman who knew when to walk away.<\/p>\n
By the time I got to my car, my phone buzzed.<\/p>\n
Aaron.<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, I love a woman who takes initiative and isn\u2019t a gold digger. Paying the bill? That\u2019s impressive. You\u2019ve definitely earned the next rose.\u201d<\/p>\n
I threw my head back and laughed.<\/p>\n
The man actually thought he was the prize.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t reply. No witty comeback. No speech.<\/p>\n
I just blocked his number and drove away.<\/p>\n
Because sometimes? The win isn\u2019t finding the right person.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s walking away from the wrong one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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