I remembered the name of her salon for a reason

I met Laura at a friend’s house in Lewisburg.

My name is Austin. I am white, and usually not very good at meeting women at parties. I tend to stay near the people I already know and leave early.

That night, most of the guests were outside talking while Laura and I ended up in the kitchen helping clean.

She was Vietnamese and easy to talk to. We washed dishes, put food away, and complained about how the people who made the biggest mess always disappeared when it was time to clean.

Laura told me she worked as a nail tech. She mentioned the name of her salon and said she had been there for several years.

I had never gotten a manicure, so there was no real reason for me to remember the name.

But I did.

Before I left, I wanted to ask for her number. I talked myself out of it because I could not tell whether she liked me or was simply being friendly.

For the next few days, I kept thinking about our conversation.

I finally searched for the salon online and booked a manicure with Laura.

When I walked in, she looked surprised.

She asked whether I had suddenly become interested in nail care.

I admitted that my hands could probably use some help, but that was not the full reason I was there.

During the manicure, we talked about the party and discovered we had both stayed longer than planned because we enjoyed talking in the kitchen.

Laura asked how I had found the salon.

I told her I remembered the name.

She smiled and said most men forgot what she did for work five minutes after she told them.

I decided there was no point pretending anymore.

I told her I had been looking for a reason to see her again, and a manicure was the best excuse I could think of.

Laura became quiet for a moment.

I thought I had made things uncomfortable.

Then she admitted she had asked our friend about me the day after the party. She had wanted my number too, but our friend told her I was shy and probably needed time.

Apparently, we had both been waiting for the other person to do something.

After my manicure, I asked whether she wanted to get dinner when her shift ended.

She said yes.

We have been dating for five months now.

I still go to her salon, although Laura says I do not need manicures as often as I claim.

She also tells everyone that I remembered the name of her workplace after hearing it only once.

I tell her it was easy.

I was already trying to figure out how to see her again.