Finally Mr. Right?

'W' has always been a special guy. Everyone he meets just loves him. I first noticed him at Martin's. He is older but very good looking and keeps himself in shape. He's one of the "popular boys" at Martin's.

Martin's is one of those classic piano bars. At one end of the bar is a grand piano and a microphone where some brave souls get up and sing. It's not karoke, you have to provide the piano player with music and you have to know the words. In the middle of the room are 3 conversation pit areas with low back red leather chairs and a cocktail table in the middle. Around the edges of the bar are real tables for those wishing to eat.

Martin's is frequented by many regulars. I'm not sure I'd be called a regular. I usually go every Friday night for one drink before I call it an evening. The regulars all know each other and each other's business. They talk about the other regulars that aren't there. Another reason to show up. They share their life and their stories with anyone that is willing to listen.

'W' is one of the regulars, but he travels a lot, so there is a lot of conversation about 'W'. I've heard many conversations about 'W'.

A few months ago on a Friday night, my friend Josh joined me at Martin's. Josh is in his mid twenties and very cute. When we go out, I'm usually his wing man. This night we are sitting in the middle of the room and 'W' approaches us. He asks if he can join us. We both shake our heads yes. I figure, I'll finish my drink, then get up and move or leave so I can leave 'W' and Josh alone.

But 'W' is smooth and engages us both in conversation. Then I notice that he starts talking exclusively to me. Before you notice it's closing time. The three of us ask for our checks. 'W' gets his first, gives them his card, signs the bill and walks out. Josh then got his. After a few minutes I ask again, could I please get my bill. The waiter says, 'W' paid for you. You are very lucky, he likes you.

I run out after him to thank him. He answered, you can thank me by having dinner with me next week. We exchange numbers. About an hour later as I'm laying in bed almost asleep, he calls me to make sure I got home OK. Now this is hot!

That week, I googled his name, and it seems that most of the rumors were true. He's very well known in the telecommunications field. He serves on the Board of Directors of several companies that most of us would recognize. I felt kind of weird finding all this stuff about him. Like envasion of privacy.

We had agreed to meet at the Capital Grille downtown, his favorite restaurant. Walking in, I knew I was way out of my league. Nevertheless, I had vowed to offer to pay for dinner. I didn't want him thinking that I was like everyone else and only going out with him, for the money.

We get seated immediately even though there is a lot of folks waiting in the lobby. They call him by his first name. He orders us a bottle of wine. He excuses himself and goes to the bathroom. I look at the wine menu and notice that already our bill is $200! OK, there goes my planned trip to Mexico.

He comes back and the waiter asks him if he wants his regular. 'W' asks me if I like steak. I of course say yes. Medium Rare? Yes, of course.
OK, we will have 2 of my regulars.

We have a great dinner and conversation. I really like this guy. We are there about 3 hours, when he asks for the check. I glance at it and it's over $500. OK, there goes my mortgage payment. I pulled out my card and I offer it to 'W'. My hand is shaking and my knuckles are white from the tight grip on the card.

No! I asked you out, I pay. I loosen the grip a little. Let's split it. NO! That was a huge relief.

We then walked to his downtown condo. He lived on the 22nd floor. He had purchased 2 condos and had the place gutted and then rebuilt it to his taste. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. He had a 360 degree view of the whole city, sound, and mountains. AMAZING.

He opened another bottle of wine and we talked some more. I told him I had googled him. I also told him I felt guilty about it. Why do you feel guilty?
Well, it's kind of like going through someone's underwear drawer.
He laughed and said it was fine. He had nothing to hide. He asked if he googled me, what would he find.

If you google me, you have to click Next about 350 times to find me. There was a famous baseball pitcher with my name and for some reason, Mr. Google thinks his stats and stories are more important than my 'linkedin' or my book review I wrote for my friend's book, 'Nightmare on Gay Street'.

The whole night was like a fairy tale. I actually thought I may have finally found Mr. Right.

Until Next Time - Wise OUT.