He kept booking pedicures until I finally understood why

I have worked as a nail tech in Irvine, California, for three years.

I met Daniel while shopping after work.

We were both turning into the same aisle when our shoulders bumped. He apologized immediately, even though it was partly my fault.

Daniel is Hispanic, and easy to talk to. What should have been a quick apology turned into a ten-minute conversation beside a shelf of home decorations.

He asked what I did for work, and I told him I worked at a nail salon nearby.

Before we separated, he asked for the name of the salon.

I gave it to him but did not think much about it. Men often asked questions after learning I did nails, but very few actually booked services.

Daniel came in four days later.

He requested a pedicure and asked for me by name.

I was surprised because he had never mentioned getting pedicures before. His feet also looked completely normal.

During the service, we continued the conversation we had started at the store. He asked about my family, how I became a nail tech, and what I liked doing outside work.

He was friendly without making me uncomfortable.

Before leaving, he said he would probably return.

He came back two weeks later.

Then again two weeks after that.

My coworkers started teasing me because Daniel always checked my schedule before booking. Even when another tech was available, he waited for me.

I liked seeing him, but I assumed he was only being friendly. I also did not want to flirt with a customer and create an awkward situation at work.

One afternoon, Daniel arrived even though he did not have an appointment.

He waited until I finished with my last customer, then admitted he did not really need all those pedicures.

He had been coming because he wanted to see me.

I laughed because everyone in the salon had already figured that out except me.

Daniel said he had wanted to ask me out the first time we met, but the conversation ended too quickly. After he learned where I worked, booking a pedicure seemed like the easiest way to see me again without making me feel pressured.

Then he asked whether I wanted to have dinner with him.

I said yes.

Our first date felt natural because we had already spent several appointments talking. I learned that Daniel was quieter than he first appeared and had been nervous every time he came into the salon.

We started dating slowly.

He continued getting pedicures, but not as often. Sometimes he only stopped by with coffee and waited until my shift ended.

We have been together for almost a year now.

Daniel still jokes that bumping into me was the luckiest shopping accident of his life.

I remind him that he spent a lot of money on pedicures before finally asking me out.

He says it was worth it.

I agree, but I still make him book an appointment like everyone else.