I've recently moved to a new city, and as such, recently made some new friends. Mostly from work. My work persona is quite a bit different than how I am outside of work, however, and after telling a coworker/friend about a few of my exploits, he expressed his doubts. I told him the next time we're out I'll show him what's up.

We end up at our favorite local watering hole, doing little else besides enjoying the awesome tunes, knocking back beers, and shooting pool. We end up playing doubles against a HB7 and her guy friend. My buddy introduces himself to both of them while I stand back and watch, and after he does so, they both look at me hesitantly, waiting for me to introduce myself. I turn around and go to take my shot at the table instead. Once I miss, I head off to grab the next round for myself and my buddy.

I come back, and I tell my friend that I can probably end up with the girl's number and a kiss. He looks doubtful but is interested after our prior conversation, so after a few sips of my beverage and a little more banter with my friend about the game of pool at hand, I seize my opportunity.

HB7 is going for a shot, and as such is awkwardly stretched out over the pool table, one leg sticking out, ass in the air. I walk right up next to her, just before she's about to take her shot and deadpan "That's a good look for you, hun."

She laughs, takes her shot, and misses.

"Now look what you've done!" she says.

"All part of my plan, darlin!"

"Where are you from?" she inquires.

(side note: I've lived in a fair bit of cities and as such I've developed a bit of an accent that no one can seem to pin down until I've told them where I've lived.)

"Why do you ask? And where do you think I'm from?"

"You sound a bit Irish," she remarks.

I tell her no, and begin to list the places I've lived in order.

"Oh wow. A well traveled man. You know I lived in London as well for about three years, too, where did you stay when you were there?"

I tell her the specifics and then mention that I haven't got the slightest clue as to her name.

"Oh!" she says, "my name is Aver9gtr8ey...."

She had mumbled, I've got bad hearing, and we were in a loud bar. I had no idea what she said.

"Pardon? I couldn't quite hear you, love."

"It's Avdkfjh9."

"Nope, you'll have to enunciate better. One more try!"

"SD84375*&j"

"You know what, it's not horribly important. We've been doing just fine without that information up until now, so let's just not worry about. I can tell your name has about 17 syllables and is probably hard to spell though."

She laughs, asks me my name, I tell her, and the light conversation goes back and forth for a little while with nothing of note, besides the fact that I began to apply kino immediately. Once the conversation started she stood right next to me (not in front of me, face to face), kind of leaning in towards me. My hand was immediately on the small of her back or around her waist every so often.

The conversation continued throughout our game (which we ended up winning), with a ton of kino and me making her laugh constantly. Just as the game ended she leans in to me and says "You know, I'd love to play pool with you again soon."

"fair enough, if you want to get your ass kicked again, you're more than welcome to," I say with a cheeky grin.

HB7 and her friend saunter off to the other end of the bar, while my buddy and I go for a smoke and play some more pool.

A little while later they bartender hollers that it's last call. I see HB7 and her friend making their way back to where we were, finishing their drinks. My buddy moves in first and goes to say goodbye and thanks for playing with us, as we had a blast with them. He begins talking to her friend, and I move in to say my goodbye as well.

"You know, girl whose name I still don't know, if you want to play pool with me again, you're going to have to give me your number."

She smiles coyly and says "How about you give me your number?"

"Ah, you know I don't really give my number out very often. I'm afraid of stalkers and the like," I say, I take her phone out of her hands.

I put my number in and hand it to her and tell her "So, what in the hell is your name, because when you call me and tell me who it is I need to kind of know who I'm talking to."

She laughs again and just says "Here, let me text it to you."

A moment later I get a text from her with her name in it.

I turn to her friend and tell him it was nice meeting him and that they played a great game. He goes right back to conversing with my friend. I turn to HB7 and put both hands on her waist.

"HB7," calling her by her name finally, "It was lovely playing with you, er, meeting you, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other soon."

"Indeed it was," she says with a smile, "and indeed we will."

"You have a lovely evening darling, get home safe," I say. Then I gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, pull my face away from hers for a moment, and go back in to plant one on her lips, just for shits and giggles.

She smiles and says goodbye, my buddy and I leave, and as we walk out of the bar I look at him and say "I don't want to say I told you so, but....."