X and Y

I still wonder why my X brought his date to the Gypsy Moth, where I was enjoying my first date with Ben, last night. It happened by chance, a very small one, considering the number of pubs in London.

I meet Ben in Greenwich, where he lives.

Ben looks lovely – he is tall, blond/ginger, and has a big, warm smile. He tells me about the year he spent in Paris while we walk towards the river, passing huge, shiny Christmas tree. The feel of romance is in the air. We talk about our ideas of social justice and charity work we both do. (I wonder if he will try to kiss me tonight). We both love London, it turns out. Ben was born here.

In the pub now. I check out his great body, and his lovely, small bum from the cosy corner sit, while he is queuing at the bar getting my gin and tonic.

He tells me how much he loves teaching English, the play he saw with his students last night, and his passion for Buddhism.
I try to steer the conversation towards his sexual interests but he is not responding (I keep wondering if he would be up for a 3-some or a visit to Killing Kittens).
In turn, he asks if I was thinking about having children and tells me how much he is missing his ex-girlfriend's dog.
I can't help but imagine us watching a play in National Theatre, while discretely touching each other…
I glance at his handsome face and suddenly realise that he reminds me of someone… Brad Pitt! He even behaves like Brad Pitt – a little doped…
But I DON'T LIKE BRAD PITT! I never liked him. I especially detest the way he talks, his boyish 'charm', and that infantile expression on his face. No!!!

This is then that I notice X and his date, scanning the pub for free seats. I'm so shocked I involuntary tell Ben that my X is here! He stiffens up and politely asks if I wish to hide behind him. I frantically explain that we are best friends, so there is no need to hide, but I also foolishly manage to reveal that we still live together…

We decide to leave, and I already sense that Ben isn't impressed.

He walks me to the station, and I can't stop thinking, that if we were never to see each other again, I would be gutted to have missed the chance of finally seeing ginger pubic hair…