'Never Date A Co-Worker': Springfield-A Long Way from 'Sex and the City'

"Never Date a Co-Worker"

(Continued from "The Single Strategies Part II: Man-Eater")

*Names have been changed.

I felt like I had already come a long way with my progress, so I didn’t really want these failed strategies to set me back. I’ll admit I got a bit frustrated, okay maybe more than just a bit. I would often find myself thinking, “Am I ever going to find someone genuine and whom I’m actually interested in?” I also thought that maybe I wasn’t ready to start dating again and perhaps my expectations were too high.

However,  I did know one thing; I was done with trying different “strategies” to get what I wanted, that really wasn’t going to work and it isn't who I am. I thought about getting off of the horse, but then I thought why would I do that? I haven’t even gone on a date with anyone yet so ,screw that, I’m sticking to it. And so enter victim number one, well I was more or less his victim in this tale.

The 11^th Commandment: Thou shalt NEVER date a co-worker! 

It was March. It had been two months into my new job and things were surprisingly going pretty well. I was learning a lot of new things and meeting a lot of great new people especially Tom*. I remember the first time I saw Tom*; six foot-something athletic build, blue eyes light brown hair, wearing the perfect pair of jeans to compliment his figure UGH! He was gorgeous.

At first I wasn’t even sure that he worked there because most of the men were married or older. I didn't see him often, because he worked in a different department, but when I did, we always exchanged a friendly hello. Then one Friday afternoon I had to help work an event and he happened to be there working as well. We had made flirtatious eye contact ALL afternoon and finally at the luncheon at the end of the day I somehow mustered up the courage to approach him.

“Hi. I’m Lauren I don’t think we’ve actually met.”

Yeah, I know, I have no idea where that came from either.

Pleasantly surprised, he shook my hand, laughed and said, “You’re right, I don’t believe we have, my name is Tom*.”

I was hooked; it was just something about him. Something in the way he carried himself, he exuded this sexy type of confidence that was mesmerizing.

So what happened next? Well, remember when I prided myself for NOT being one of those psycho girls. Okay, maybe I was a somewhat borderline just this one time. In my defense, I consulted my friend Laura* about what to do and she is the one who suggested to idea of adding him on Facebook. I KNOW! How juvenile! But, I did it. He eventually asked for my number which would only be the beginning of what was to be a crazy couple of months.