I think I like the Dentist.

I’ve been saying for years that I wanted to date someone local for dinner dates… movies… impulsive make-out sessions… Six-hour plane rides aren’t conducive to that.

The Dentist lives about 1 1/2 miles from my house, and until recently, he lived about 5 houses down the street. Our kids are close friends. I know various members of his family. We share a community and a whole lot of other stuff in common. It feels kinda weird.

He said he thought I was very prim and proper after our first date, and he felt inclined to be on his best behavior around me. I inferred from the conversation that I had my “Nice Girl, Keep Your Fucking Distance” persona with me that night, although I remember intentionally choosing a very low-cut velvet scoop-neck top that amply displayed my pushed-up boobs. It must have been an unclear message, which makes perfect sense, considering just how confused I really am.

The “getting to know each other” stage is warm and fuzzy and a little bit scary.