Usually getting the number and setting up the date works the same way and everything is pretty straightforward, but this one was a bit different and, in my view, pretty funny, so I'd thought I'd share it with you guys
So I'm daygaming a couple of weeks ago and open a super hot Nigerian girl, about my age, almost 6 foot tall, very slim and elegant (my type) just outside Selfridges, direct. We have a fun 5 minute chat where she's smiling and laughing, then she says she needs to get going to buy some clothes for an interview, and I need to get going too. So I say what I normally say, that we should exchange numbers and meet later in the week. She refuses!
Her: "Well I don't really know you from Adam"
Me: "That's kind of the point of a date - so we can get to know each other better!"
Her: "I don't know. Tell you what - you know my first name, and I've told you the title of my book. With that info, if you're clever, you should be able to find my contact info online and get in touch with me that way."
Needless to say, I accepted her challenge! Just walking away within 2 minutes I found the email on my phone. But I sat on it for 2 or 3 days.
THEN, I sent her an email from the info@mycompany.com email address of the Literary Agency my company is a part of:
"Dear Ms HBWriter,
We have recently become aware of your work, and would be very interested in meeting to discuss representing you for your next book. Would you be available to meet with one of our agents at our offices next week?"
Within the HOUR I receive a reply from her, and she eagerly agrees to a 1pm lunch meeting the following week.
On the day, I get the call at my desk that my lunch date has arrived, and meet her at reception
Me: "What a crazy coincidence!"
Her: "OMG it's you! You didn't tell me you..."
Me: "Great to see you again. Shall we? "
Me (under my breath as we walk out): "So who's clever now?
"Then the realisation hits her after the initial confusion and smiling, and her face sinks and becomes really serious.
Her: "Wait a minute, have you actually brought me here to discuss representing me?"
Me: "HAHA NO! It was a joke obviously!"
Her: "Oh. You have no idea how angry I am with you right now"
Me: ...
At this point I'm like, "oh fuck, she's not seeing the funny side of this at all. Not quite going as planned!"
Me: "You gotta give me credit tho - it was pretty funny! Anyway, let's go get lunch"
Her: "Ok"
We walk over and get into a normal conversation, which sets a really interesting frame which continued for the whole date, where she asked me a LOT of questions about myself, which I naturally take as a huge indicator of interest. She explains that she was actually really excited about being represented by us, and she actually almost FIRED her current agent over the weekend! However, after chatting normally about stuff, as we arrive for lunch she says
Her: "You know I'm actually starting to forgive you a bit now"
We have a good lunch date and talk about various things. Turns out we have a similar social circle in a number of areas (she's a year older, went to the same Uni as many of my friends, her friends goto a lot of the same clubs I do, etc.) so I MIGHT have met her that way anyway. I drop her off at the tube afterwards:
Me: "Ok so we ACTUALLY have to exchange numbers at this point obviously"
Her: "I dunno..."
Me: "What? Are you serious?!"
Her: "Well, you tricked me, and I expect my date to be more gentlemanly and pay for me" (she offered so we split the bill)
Me: "Well we're past that now, anyway just do it for fucks sake" (Handed her the phone and she complied)
Thought it was a bit shaky, but texted her immediately
Me: "Miss me yet?
Ryan x"Her: "Still a little bit in shock, so not really at the missing stage yet x"
Waited a few days, sent her an invite, and she gladly agreed to meet tonight!
Pic http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9 ... RvGZsw&t=1