The dating game

I saw you in the hall
and searched out your desk
to learn your name.
You weren’t there,
but I read your name
on your cubicle wall.
I asked a friend about you
and she told me
you were single.
I went to a happy hour
only because I knew
you would be there.
I saw you by the bar and asked
if I could buy you a drink.
You declined, but asked my name.
You had seen me in the hall
and searched out my cubicle
to learn my name.
But you wanted to tell me yours.
We shook hands
and your drink came.
You smiled and walked away
to ask a friend about me.
You found out I was single
and new to the company.
Toward the end of the happy hour
you searched me out
and asked if you could buy me a drink.
I smiled, surprised, but happy
you were offering.
I agreed and we drank together.
You asked about me
and I gave you the short version.
I asked about you
and you gave me an even shorter version.
Our drinks empty,
I offered to buy the next round.
You smiled and accepted the offer.
When I returned, you were on your phone
and apologized.
I sat and watched you
as you turned and talked
to the intruder on the line.
I could tell you hair was long
though you wore it up
most of the time.
I noticed that you wore little makeup
and that you didn’t have to wear any at all
to look like a model.
You hung up and apologized again.
We finished our drinks and moved to leave.
I asked for your number
and gave you mine,
knowing you would never call.
We didn’t see each other at work.
I waited three days and called you.
I asked you out to dinner
and you said you’d prefer lunch.
We went to lunch three times
before you agreed to dinner.
Each lunch we talked about work
and safe things about our lives.
At dinner we learned more
about each other.
You grew up poor
and I was adopted.
We both hated high school.
Your college was big
and you were in a sorority,
but only peripherally.
I went to a small college
where I was popular,
but not too much so.
It took three more dates
before we kissed
and ten more
before we made love.
We agreed to be exclusive
and are dating still.