No problems

Matt wasn't sure who got more looks when they walked back into the coffee shop. Maybe both of them because they'd popped in and backed out a minute or so before returning.

Still, they spotted a couple of vacant seats at a long table near the back. "Grab those and I'll get us some coffee," he said.

"Can I get hot chocolate instead of coffee. I'm not much of a coffee drinker."

That could be a relationship breaker but Matt was a patient guy. He wasn't going to be judgmental that fast. "Sure."

The guitar player was tuning up when Matt got back with the drinks and slid in beside April.

Sitting at a long table with a bunch of strangers probably was cutting his chances of getting any coffee shop action but he was prepared to wait.

The guy sitting next to Matt looked at him. "Not from around here?"

"I just like music."

"Yeah, me too. I'm Jeff."

"Matt."

"This guy is great. I heard him last week, too."

"Hi, I'm April," April put in.

"I love your makeup. You have to show me how you make your eyes look so smoky."

"Come on, I just followed the instructions in Cosmo. Grab this month's issue and--"

"If we could have your silence please." The barista had abandoned his post and stood on the stage. "We're honored to have Dave Winton playing classical guitar for us again tonight. Give it up for Dave and his guitar."

Dave was a fat bald guy who definitely wasn't heartthrob material, but when he started playing the guitar, Matt forgot all of that. His fingers flew over the guitar as he stroked and plucked the strings. For a long time, Matt forgot he was on a date, forgot that his family was falling apart, forgot that he was anything but a man awash in music.

After an hour, Dave took a break, grabbing a glass of water from the barista and Matt turned to April. "I didn't mean to ignore you that whole time."

"Just as well you did. If you'd talked during that, I would have had to kill you."

"Yeah, that's what I thought, too. You okay with staying for the second set. I know you've got work tomorrow."

"You couldn't drag me out of here. And Matt?"

"Yeah?"

"This is like the best date I've ever had. Thank you."

Matt could almost relate. Yes, it's hard to pick listening to music as preferable to getting blowjobs, but there was something primal about beautiful music that really was almost as satisfying.

When Dave started the second set, April put her hand on his thigh and started stroking... so it really was almost heaven.