ROMAN'S POINT OF VIEW
It's a beautiful day. The sun is shining and there's almost no clouds in the sky. It's going to get hot later which is why I'm taking my dog to the dog park this early to run off his energy with his four legged friends so we can relax in the shade by the pool at home later. I got plenty of ice cubes in the freezer for both of us. Ice cold water for my boy and some ice cold lemonade for me. Maybe even a drink if I feel like it.
"What is it, boy? Did you find something interesting?"
My boy has stopped walking and is sniffing something. I chuckle inside while imagining he's checking up on the latest pee-mail from some of his friends. He lifts his leg to answer the message. I take a look around so my little pooch can have his privacy.
I suddenly feel my heart beat a little faster. Can it be? Is it really Linnie walking towalks me? It is her. Her shoulder long, straight, ginger red hair is shining from afar. I can recognize that hair anywhere.
I don't really know her since I only see her when I go grocery shopping. She's a manager there and I only know her name because of the name tag she wears at work. I really like her though. I shop there a lot, even more than I should since she got hired almost a year ago. She's always funny, sweet and charming, and her smile lingers on my mind all day after having left the supermarket. I've had many fantasies about asking her out. I realize it's never going to happen unless I make it happen. Today is the day. I'm asking Linnie out.
"Come on, boy. We got some important business to take care of."
I yank gently on his leash and he follows me down the sidewalk. I can't help but smile more and more the closer I get to Linnie. Her face lights up in a smile too and her pearl grey eyes come even more to life.
"Hi, cutie," she says.
For a second I think she's talking about me but then she bends down to pet my dog. Of course my dog is cutie. Every dog is freaking cute. I know this. This is human to dog language. I let myself get carried away and I feel stupid. She looks up at me and smiles again.
"You got a cute dog," she says.
"I know," I answer.
I know? What the fuck am I doing? Why can't I say thank you like a normal person? I know? Of course I know. It's my damn dog. I'm supposed to find him cute.
"Thank you for letting me pet him," she says.
She stands up and waits a second too long to let me say something. This is my moment. All I have to do is open my mouth and ask her out.
"I'll see you at the store."
That's the words that just came out of my mouth. I'll see you at the store. I want to correct myself but it's too late. She nods in agreement and starts walking again. I turn to see her walk away. I blew my shot. I lost my chance.
"I'll see you at the store? What the fuck is wrong with me?"
I look at my dog for an answer but he's not giving me any. Instead he turns and sends longing looks towards the dog park. I sigh and start walking again. I completely blew it. I'm a fucking idiot.