I had a pleasant few minutes of daydreaming on the way home in which I oh-so-casually asked Music Store Guy if he wanted to grab a coffee.

But alas, I'm not that girl.

Oh sweetie. You should be that girl. C'mon, it's only coffee.

I could do that much and let it dangle. I can't follow through and say, "Wanna go?" I just can't.

Well, then do that much. I really really think you should.

Oh, my suggestion is all about the dangle. And you sigh afterwards. Fetchingly.

Lilty, regress to the second grade. Ask a friend to ask him for you while you watch mortified from another part of the store.

Oh, wait, that's terrible advice. But the Teppy thing, I stand by that.

And if he says "Oh, man, I'd totally like to see it on IMAX!" but doesn't actually say the "Wanna go?" you HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO suggest it yourself. At that point, he's said "yes" to your implicit invite but is as terrified of rejection as you are. Because he's me. Only not literally.

Oh sweetie. You should be that girl. C'mon, it's only coffee

I would, but, you know, what if he doesn't like coffee? If we can stay in a holding pattern until September, then I can use Serenity as the dangle. I might be able to manage the dangle.

Boys are scary. The things that a guy has to do to convince me he likes me would have us married in some states. Or he could just say something. But why would he? Girls are scary.

I've had nice comic book guys, but no attractive ones, I don't think. And the nice ones aren't the ones that stand out. Repeat-o-music guy does, as does the one who pulled my phone number from the files and called me at home, all casual-like. Girls didn't scare him, it seems, not even his wife.

I would, but, you know, what if he doesn't like coffee. If we can stay in a holding pattern until September, then I can use Serenity as the dangle. I might be able to manage the dangle.

Welllllll, okay. I still think you should casually ask him if he wants to go grab a coffee with you.

Well, to be fair, Music Store Guy's appeal really stems from the banter and the charm and the niceness.

Boys are scary. The things that a guy has to do to convince me he likes me would have us married in some states.

Yes! Totally!

Or he could just say something.

Yes! You betcha!!!

But why would he? Girls are scary.

Yes! Right on....hey! Wait a minute....

ION, my massage was great, but has left me slimy. I can't stand it any longer. Must shower.

Well, to be fair, Music Store Guy's appeal really stems from the banter and the charm and the niceness.

Which can totally happen over coffee. IJS.

I think you should casually ask you if he wants to grab you, but that's just me.

September is a long way a way. You don't want to miss your window.

I'm scaring you, aren't I?

Even if he doesn't like coffee, he'll suggest an alternative if he's interested. ("I'm allergic to caffeine because it makes my eyes swell up and fall out, but I really like smoothies. There's a Jamba Juice right next to the local Starbucks, we could walk there together...?" "Oh, man, a smoothie sounds great!" "Would you like to take your clothes off and dance with me?" et cetera... ETA That this is a single conversation, not a possible list of alternatives, which is what it looks like.)