The R&B Jasmine
The Waiting Game
Two weeks since the first date. Travel, work, the general absurdity of life—none of it made coordinating schedules any easier. But now? Stars aligned. Jasmine had her eye on Sushi by Bao, a hyped little sushi den where the chef had a god-tier reputation and the reservations disappeared quicker than a free pour of Pappy Van Winkle at a dive bar.
Sushi as date food? A masterstroke. Light, unfussy, and just bougie enough to make it feel like an event. Plus, if a woman picks sushi, she knows a thing or two. That’s the kind of taste you want in your life.
Pre-Date Jitters
Not a flutter of nerves. Not a rush of excitement. Sushi doesn’t get the blood pumping, and there wasn’t even time for build-up. I blew through a workout, threw on a black turtleneck, leather jacket, dress slacks, Black Orchid and loafers, and hit the door. Clean. Minimal. Effortless.
The Setup
Early arrivals are strategy, not accident. A chance to clock the scene, breathe in the vibe, maybe sip something strong enough to soften the edge of potential lateness.
The place had ambiance dialed in—dim lighting, the kind of intimacy that whispers you’re somewhere special without screaming pretentiousness. Smooth R&B on low. Perfect.
Whiskey highball in hand, I settled at the bar, exchanging a nod with the bartender, the universal sign of a man waiting on a date. No concerns. Jasmine had presence. Style. That ineffable magnetism that makes people turn their heads and wonder who’s that? If she walked in anything like she did last time, this was about to be a great night.
The Arrival
And then, there she was.
A tan bodysuit sculpted to perfection, a fur jacket draped like she had just walked off the set of a ‘90s R&B video. Heads turned like they were on a swivel. She wasn’t trying—she just was.
As she stepped closer, vanilla and something floral hit—clean, soft, yet dangerously intoxicating. Poise. Confidence. The kind of grace that doesn’t need an introduction.
The Conversation
Seated, drinks refreshed, the words started rolling, smooth as the whiskey. She talked about her new job in a cancer unit—purpose in her voice, that rare passion most people chase but never quite catch.
I shared updates on my latest project, Wagabond an application for Pets, and watched her lean in, intrigued. She liked that I was always building. I liked that she noticed.
We joked about the back-and-forth texting, how we were basically pen pals with mismatched schedules. Then, she talked about Japan—her childhood as a military brat, the food, the culture, the pieces of her life shaped by a place most people only visit on layovers.
Sushi wasn’t just Instagram clout to her. It was memory, nostalgia, a connection. That kind of authenticity? Rare.
The Food
Sharing was becoming a thing. Why commit to one dish when you can have it all?
Jasmine took the reins, eyes scanning the menu like a seasoned vet. She ordered without hesitation, no second-guessing, just a quiet confidence that let me know she’d been here before—in taste, if not in place.
And when the plates hit the table? Nigiri so delicate it practically melted, tempura rolls with the perfect crunch, sashimi so fresh it felt like it might still be swimming.
She didn’t miss. Not a single order off-beat. Every bite hit like a well-curated playlist—unexpected yet perfectly composed.
By the last dish, I wasn’t just impressed—I was locked in. This wasn’t just dinner. This was experience.
The Aftermath
Neither of us wanted to call it yet. Cold air, city lights, that buzz of a night with momentum. We walked, her fur wrapped tight, my hands shoved in my pockets, the world quiet except for our steps on pavement.
The lounge was tucked away, dark and lowkey, the kind of place you end up in when the night still has something left to give. A corner booth, a slower pace, drinks that hit just right.
Being back in the game felt strange, but this? This was good. Easy. No pretending. No forced chemistry. Just two people vibing, existing, connecting.
Post-Date Reflections
Was she The Blog Ender? Too soon to say. But damn if she wasn’t making a strong case.
To be continued…
Missed the beginning? Catch up on how it all started with The Blog Ender: Opening Chapter and see how Date 1 set the stage with The Blog Ender: Date 1.