So yesterday I was sitting in my office at work minding my own beeswax when one of my co-workers invited me to lunch. That is unusual, unless there is a birthday or something since my co-workers know that I bring my lunch to work. So I told her thanks but no thanks.
My co-worker uncharacteristically kept trying to convince me to go. Okay my curiosity finally made me say yes. The co-worker that was inviting me wouldn't say what was up. I figured that something was going on with a co-worker, an engagement or maybe someone was pregnant.
So off we go. On the way she explained that a friend of hers was going to be joining us. Okay, fine no problem. But she was still be very secretive and all kinds of smiley faced.
Anyway we arrived at the restaurant. It was a really nice French Vietnamese restaurant, I'd been there before and I'd really liked the food. So if nothing else I was going to be able to treat myself to a nice lunch. I would have been eating a soy nut butter and apple butter sandwich on wheat bread, so it was a nice change of pace.
As we walked in the door someone approached us and then hugged my co-worker, this was her friend and we were introduced. I at first didn't really see what her friend looked like because I'm sort of shy and tend not to gaze at people, I'm more likely to avert my eyes. But after we were seated and I was able to take a few glances on the sly I saw that her friend was attractive.
We ordered. I ordered Prawns with mixed vegetables. After I ordered I wondered if eating shrimp was okay since I am now an official vegetarian. I'm pretty sure it isn't but I convinced myself that it was.
My co-worker's friend and I had a nice conversation. I found out that we both were transplants to California. Also that they worked in media, which I used too. And after a bit more of that nervous sort of chit chat we settled into a nice general conversation; politics, weather, high rents in the area, etc.
Okay I'm getting to the good part.
After we had pretty much finished lunch my co-worker said that she needed to go by the post office and suggested that her friend walk me back to work. In case you haven't figured it out, my co-worker was trying to fix me up. Normally I would have been mad, but I wasn't, not at all.
I think I may have sort of shouted a bit when I told her "okay see ya back at work". I was a little excited and nervous. After all it's been a while since I have met someone that I have been interested in, even if I had only known this person for about an hour.
Hey you have to start somewhere right?
As we prepared to leave we all took some money out to cover our bill, my new friend offered to pay for mine. I thought it was a nice gesture but declined. We had just met.
We left and began the walk back to my office. My office is only about five blocks from the restaurant. As we walked we talked about presidential candidates. I talked about my first choice Dennis Kucinich and how I knew he didn't have a choice. And then get this, my new friend said they were going to vote for Romney in the California primary. I'm not kidding!
Of course that led to a discussion of why they supported Romney. I was told that it was a matter of the lesser of several evils. Obama didn't have enough experience, Hillary was too desperate to be President, McCain was too old and Giuliani and Huckabee were both crazy, as far as they were concerned.
Okay well at least some thought went into it.
Soon we were nearing my office and I began to say the usual about how I enjoyed meeting and having lunch. I really meant it though and left a gap in the conversation hoping they would say something about seeing each other again.
Finally as we stopped to wait for a light to change to cross the street my companion turned to me and said, "hey how about I go and get a hotel room and when you get off you can come by and we can spend some more time together".
WHAT?!
I couldn't believe my ears. I felt like I got punched in the stomach. A hotel room? What or who did this person think I was? We have lunch, have a little conversation and I get invited for an after work roll in the hay?
I'm not going to lie I felt like I was going to cry. I felt dirty and I felt disappointed. I know I had just met this person but was my judgement that off? I mean I had no indication that I was going to be propositioned while standing on a street corner less than 2 hours after meeting.
Anyway I didn't even answer, I just walked off. They called out to me, even had the audacity to say 'what's wrong?'. Well if they didn't know there was no point in me telling them.
After I got back to work I was depressed all afternoon. I felt sick, I really did. I wondered what I could have possibly done to get treated like I was a "jump-off". Sorry to use that term but that's how I was made to feel.
I was too embarrassed to even tell my co-worker what happened. I know that she wouldn't have tried to set me up if she had known this person was a loser freak.
I guess I got my hopes up. As I said it's been a while since I've met someone that I really clicked with. Darn I clicked with a pervert!
Was desperate and lonely written on my forehead?!
Anyway I needed to get that out. As I said I didn't feel comfortable telling my co-worker what happened. In fact I kind of avoided her all yesterday afternoon. So I'm sure when I see her she's going to want to 'hear all the details'.
Thanks for listening.
What should I do, tell my co-worker what happened or just pretend nothing did?
Has anyone ever just turned into a crazy freak in a manner of minutes with you?
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Update, 10:51 PM: First I want to thank everyone who commented. I read your comments throughout the day and they really helped me put this situation in perspective.
As many of you said, it wasn't my fault. I certainly did not lead anyone on. Anyway I talked to my co-worker as everyone suggested. The conversation went really well. She was shocked to hear what happened. My friend at work is a really sweet person, I never thought she would be party to anything like this. She apologized but I let her know I didn't hold her accountable.
She explained that she didn't know the person in question that well but thought they were "good people". I 'm glad she knows they aren't and I'm glad I talked to her.
It's going to be a while before I want to go on any surprise blind dates that's for sure!
Anyway, thanks again and I left comments for everyone in the comments section!
Hugs to you all!