I’d had a crush on Daniel for years, so when he asked me to dinner, I couldn’t say no. But at the restaurant, he never showed. Instead, a waiter handed me a note from him asking to meet in the bathroom. What I found changed everything.
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I never thought I’d become visible to Daniel, the handsome and charming head of my department.
For three years, I’d watched him from behind my computer screen, admiring how he commanded every room he walked into.
His confident stride, his easy smile, and the way everyone gravitated toward him during office parties.
“Earth to Cindy,” my friend Margo would say, snapping her fingers in front of my face whenever she caught me staring. “You know he’s way out of your league, right?”
I’d just sigh because, of course, I knew it. Men like Daniel didn’t notice women like me. On the few occasions he’d brought dates to our work functions, they’d all been built like catwalk models.
Meanwhile, I was more Rubenesque. I worked out regularly and played sports, but all it did was build my strength. I tried all the popular diets, too, but the weight wouldn’t shift.
At 32, I tried not to worry about my weight anymore, but it wasn’t easy. Life is hard when you’re stuck in a body that draws judgmental gazes wherever you go.
But, one Tuesday afternoon, everything changed.
I was hunched over quarterly reports, the office nearly empty as the clock ticked past six. The sudden presence at my desk made me jump.
“Working late again?” Daniel asked, leaning casually against my cubicle wall.
I nodded, unable to form words as his cologne (something expensive and woodsy) filled my small workspace.
“You know, Cindy, I’ve noticed how dedicated you are.” His smile revealed perfect teeth. “Want to grab dinner after work tomorrow? You deserve a break.”
My heart stuttered. “Dinner? With you?”
“Unless you’d rather eat with someone else?” His eyebrow quirked playfully.
“No! I mean, yes. Dinner sounds great.” The words tumbled out before my brain could process what was happening.
“Perfect. Luigi’s at seven? It’s that Italian place on Maple Street. I’ll meet you there.”
I nodded again, watching him walk away with that confident stride. Only when he disappeared around the corner did I allow myself to breathe.
I called Margo immediately. “You won’t believe what just happened.”
“What? Did you finally figure out that spreadsheet error?” Margo asked, the sounds of her kids screaming in the background.
“Daniel asked me out. On a date. Tomorrow.”
Then Margo squealed so loudly I had to pull the phone from my ear. “Are you serious? Department head Daniel with the butt that won’t quit?”
“The very same,” I confirmed, still in disbelief.
“This is huge! I’m coming over right now with my blue dress. The one that makes even my post-twins body look good.”
“You can’t! I’m still at work. Meet me at my place in an hour?”
