Last night wasn’t so bad. The Hervé Léger dress got everyone’s attention, and I felt like I was at the Academy Awards rather than the university’s student film showcase. I walked in and, almost instinctual, narrowed in on Jack. He was leaning against a wall in the back of the room looking right at me. He kept talking to some classmates, glancing towards me every other sentence. I couldn’t help but notice how sharp he looked, despite my slight disdain after our dinner date the other night. He was wearing a classic black, fitted, Ralph Lauren suit, a white dress shirt and a skinny black tie. His style reminded me of the sunning GQ spread of Zac Efron.

Prada gowns, vintage Versace, Carolina Herrera and Alexander McQueen began moving into the theater when it was announced that the showcase would soon begin. I found a seat in the center of the theater with my two girlfriends. We sat there whispering about the passing gowns when I saw Jack out of the corner of my eye. He’d sat right behind me with his friends. Directly behind me. Each time I turned to speak to my friend, I could feel his apprehensive eyes trying to catch mine. I don’t like a man that can’t just approach me if he really wants to talk to me.

You know what, Jack? You messed up. G-G-G-G-GET OVER IT!

Sorry, I’m listening to some old Ok Go as I write this.

The showcase went well, but I couldn’t really enjoy it because I felt as though Jack was breathing down my neck. I can’t wait to get back to Italy this summer. The dating process is so much different there.

I remember there was this one sexy man, Cosimo, who worked at this restaurant I always passed on my way to my favorite gelateria. One evening he finally stopped staring and tried talking to me, “Ciao! Come stai? Di dove sei? Sei italiana?”

(Translation: Hi, how are you? Where are you from? Are you Italian?)

I just laughed at him and said (in Italian), “I don’t speak Italian well. Do you speak English?” We exchanged hello’s and I walked away smiling. Got to keep them wanting more! But, then I got slick. Later that evening, I made reservations at his restaurant; one, because I was living alone and my new friends had already left back to their home countries.

I wore a tasteful low cut, blue, Grecian top and some nice jean shorts along with my gladiator sandals. My face was in the menu when he approached my table. He asked to sit down, and I found out he had the night off. Of course, I was pleased for the company. He said he had seen my reservation and wanted to surprise me. It was a romantic evening, and we talked about everything from music and politics to cinema and earthquakes. I miss those, warm, Italian summer evenings.

Anyway, I just realized, I’m late! I’m reminiscing and I’ve got to give a persuasive speech on the importance of sexual education in schools for my Communication final; and then I have to rush over to the Study Abroad office to give a presentation for some companies we’re trying to work with to give our students discounts at their institutions abroad.

At the very least, I’ve got a hot, professional outfit. I’m thinking I’ll wear this great yellow Nanette Lepore twist front blouse because it’s professional, but still looks young. It will go perfect with this black D&G pencil skirt I have and my black Salvatore Ferragamo sling-backs tie the whole look together. I’m not too worried about my speech and presentation. I think if I do mess up, my beautiful professional outfit will distract them.