Awkward Date is an Oxymoron Like Jumbo Shrimp

I think I'm just too awkward to date. Really. This guy comes into work today asking for a book on break-ups (yes, bad sign already, but still, he was hot.) And he's the lingering type--lingering stare, leaning on the counter, etc., etc. We have an awkward conversation about a multitude of things (various cities we've traveled to, books we've read, mountain biking? whoa, mockward.) And then, as I'm ringing him up and stepping abruptly back into the customer/merchant role-play, he asks for my number. I'm pretty sure a normal person, at this juncture, would flash a smile, say sure and get on with the day. Ah, but the curse of being awkward. I look at him as if someone just asked me the meaning of life and blurt out, "I don't know." And then I keep looking at him, trying to come up with something cool to say, but instead I tell him to read the book I've recommended and come back and tell me how it is. That's right, I've given him a homework assignment. Maybe if he actually comes back to tell me how it is, I'll have him write a little about the religious symbolism contained within Jesus' Son. Real romantic.