SHORT STORY
The Blind Dates
HELLO! is inviting acclaimed writers to entertain readers in these testing times. This week, best-selling romcom writer Anna Bell takes us on a date with a twist
I spot him immediately when I walk into the bar. He smiles at me like he knows me, despite the fact this is a blind date and we’ve never met before.
Nerves take hold of my body and my hands begin to tremble as I approach him.
“Hi,” he says.
“Hi, um, hi. Are you waiting for me?”
“All my life,” he says, before he wrinkles his face. “I’m so sorry, that was awful. I’m cheesier than a four-cheese pizza when I’m nervous.”
“I’m nervous, too. I’m a blind-date virgin.”
Now it’s my turn to cringe.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go gentle. That came out all wrong,” he says, laughing with embarrassment. “Did you want to sit down?”
“Thanks,” I say starting to relax. “Have you been on many blind dates before?”
“A fair few. Although, you’d think with my smooth talking I’d have no need for them.”
I laugh.
“So, what’s a good ice-breaker question?”
“I like to steer clear of all the usual questions and instead lead with something like: what’s the geekiest thing you do?”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. Why wait until date number five to find out you’re dating a superfan that will drag you along to every convention going.”