Sitting across an array of potential connections on Stacy's blind date show, the most popular in Sabon, a tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. I adjusted in my seat, throwing glances at the men seated across from me. Among them, the one directly in front held my utmost attention.
His meticulously styled hair exudes sophistication, while his captivating eyes were framed by well-groomed eyebrows. A confident posture accentuated his strong physique, and the well-tailored suit effortlessly showcased his silhouette.
The rules of the show were simple yet intriguing; my only gateway into understanding these mysterious suitors lay in coffee-related questions.
“Sage, Sage?” Stacy's voice startled me, and nervousness crept in. I was lost in thoughts about walking out hand in hand with the young man whose name I was yet to know. Embarrassment covered my facade as I perched up with a feigned smile.
“Are you good?” Stacy asked with concern, gently caressing my palm with her thumb. I nodded, summoning my sass to brace up and ignore the intriguing young man.
“Please, introduce yourselves,” Stacy said with glee. Conditions applied to this show; contestants must be coffee lovers, and only coffee-related questions were allowed.
“I'm Sage, CEO of Sage's Designs,” I asserted, opening the floor for them.
Uninterested in the other men's names and occupation, I waited for him to speak. Would his voice compliment his looks? Trying not to give away my interest, I avoided eye contact.
“I'm Tony. I work with the Vegas Tourist Company,” he said, and I swallowed heavily after a quick glance. His smokey voice had me completely stunned.
The men went first, asking various questions, each nodding with a smile at my responses. What excited me the most was that none tackled the question burning in my mind. My questions and their responses would determine if Stacy's Show would be recording a match.
Scanning their faces, they all looked relaxed. Perfect timing to shoot my question.
“Mr. Tony, do you prefer a slow relaxing coffee-sipping experience or a quick on-the-go fix?” I just had to start with him.
“Anyone goes for me, depending on the situation I find myself in,” he responded sincerely. Two others echoed Tony, while one preferred a quick caffeine fix claiming his time was precious and he wouldn't waste it on slow coffee-sipping.
“Mr Tim, if you had to choose between never having coffee again and having to drink only black coffee for the rest of your life, which would you opt for?”
“Never having coffee again!” Tim responded without hesitation. He was the same man who dismissed a relaxing coffee experience. Three others mirrored his choice, but one opted for a lifetime of black coffee. Intrigued, I paid more attention to him.
“Mr Tony,” my heart was racing as I wondered if he was going to be a match because my next question depended on it. His gaze was fixed on me and my cheeks burned.
“If you could have a coffee date anywhere in the world, where would it be and what coffee would you choose?”
“That's a tough one Sage.” Stacy chipped in and we all chuckled.
“That'll be the serene Amalfi coast and my coffee choice would be the freshly brewed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee.” His response came in a recalling manner. I nodded and smiled as I turned to the next person. The two others gave me sophisticated responses and I couldn't wait to hear that of the fourth man.
“How about you, Mr Mark?” I queried, taking in his features. He dressed casually yet expensively. He's the only one that had given satisfactory answers to my previous questions but would he get the last? Doubts began to creep in. I needed a man who believed in simplicity as much as I did. Tony looked like it but when he spoke, I sensed too much sophistication. I needed a healthy blend of both; sophistication and simplicity.
“I'd love that date at Perchance Cafe, with a velvety and well-balanced Colombian Supremo,” he said, and my eyes gleamed. Perchance Cafe was my favorite, exuding class while maintaining an inviting simplicity.
“Sage, is he your type?” Stacy asked, and I nodded. “What do you think of Sage, Mr. Mark?”
“I'd love to take her on that date to Perchance Cafe,” he responded with a fruity voice accompanied with a charming smile. “A match made in heaven!” Stacy exclaimed, clapping joyfully. The other three congratulated us as the show came to an end.
