The R&B Jasmine
How We Met
I met RNB Jasmine backstage at an R&B party. She was introduced to me by a mutual friend, and the first thing she asked was, “Haven’t we met before?” I laughed and told her, “You look familiar, but I can’t place it.” She had this magnetic energy — the kind that pulled a crowd. Dudes were everywhere, trying their best lines and flashing their charms.
I thought she was cute, but honestly, I’m not the type to dive into unnecessary competition. So, I played it cool, kept my distance, and waited for my moment. Later, I decided to head upstairs to avoid the noise and the chaos. A few friends followed, and to my surprise, so did she. Before I left, she called out, “Wait, what’s your Instagram?” That’s how it started — simple, easy, no forced moves.
The Date Negotiation
We texted back and forth for weeks, and I started calling her my pen pal. Between work, hobbies, and life in general, neither of us could seem to find time to meet up. It almost became a running joke. Finally, after juggling schedules, we landed on a Saturday night dinner at El Presidente in D.C. at 7:30. I made a reservation, locked it in, and felt like we were finally making progress.
Pre-Date Jitters
I wasn’t nervous — excited is more like it. After a year off from dating, it felt good to be back in the game. The night was cold, so I threw on a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots. Layers that felt casual but confident. By the time I walked out the door, I felt ready for whatever the night had in store.
The Date
Here’s the thing about dates — they rarely go exactly as planned. She was late. Not fashionably late — actually late. We missed our reservation entirely.
I ended up at the packed bar, ordering a drink and making small talk with an older couple sitting next to me. The bartender chimed in too, and soon enough, I had a team helping me strategize the seating situation. I kept an eye on the chairs, calculating the perfect moment to secure two spots before she arrived.
When she finally walked in — looking as good as ever — I couldn’t even be mad. Everything worked out. The couple I’d befriended helped us snag seats at the bar, and we dove right into the night.
The Date (Continued)
One thing I noticed right away — Jasmine liked to share food. That worked out perfectly because I’m the type to order a little bit of everything just to taste it all. So, when she mentioned sharing, I thought, Finally, someone who gets it.
Since she was late, I jokingly told her, “You’re in charge of making it up to me. You’ll be doing all the ordering tonight.” She laughed and rose to the challenge. Let me tell you — she knew what she was doing. Every dish she picked was spot-on, with flavors that hit every note. She paired everything perfectly, like she had studied the menu beforehand or was secretly a chef.
By the time the food started arriving, I wasn’t even thinking about the missed reservation or the wait. We spent the rest of the evening swapping plates, laughing, and breaking down each dish like we were food critics. It felt natural — like we’d done this a hundred times before.
Food always tells you something about a person. In her case, it told me she’s got great taste, loves a good experience, and knows how to take the lead when needed. I couldn’t help but appreciate that.
It turned out her being late wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
The Rum Bar
After the restaurant, I took her to one of my favorite places — this cozy rum bar with a great vibe. We grabbed another round of drinks, and the energy between us felt even more relaxed.
At some point, things just clicked, and I got a kiss. It was unexpected but perfectly timed, like the night had been building up to that moment.
Post-Date Reflections
So, did she feel like “The Blog Ender”? Not quite. But it was a good start — like turning the page of a new chapter.
Dating is a process, and sometimes the fun lies in the imperfection of it all. On to the next.
Missed the beginning? Catch up on how it all started with The Blog Ender: Opening Chapter and see how Date 2 unfolded in The Blog Ender: Date 2.