Met someone-help me not make a part of myself!

[ChiaraRimini]

I met a friend of a friend last year on a night out and we have had a couple of drunken hook-ups on group nights out. He seems really nice and we have now arranged to meet up just the two of us. He is quite shy and 100% not a player.

The problem is my mind is racing ahead hoping it's all going to work out but I don't want to get disappointed again. I've been on literally 30 plus internet first dates in the last year or two which have gone nowhere. This just seems so much more natural and relaxed in comparison as we have mutual friends and have socialised together. I kind of want it too much to work out and am worried I'm going to get too hung up on him and be disappointed yet again....help!

A prat obviously although I don't want to make a part of myself either!

You got on well before, you will again. He wants to go out with just you. Even if he is shy, encourage him to talk. Hard to do, but relax and just enjoy the event in real time. I don't say to be cool with him but just be friendly, generous and good company. Don't even consider the long-term at this stage or you could inadvertently scare him off!

I'd just go along, enjoy the date and see it as something lighthearted and fun. If you start overthinking things and getting heavy he will run a mile.

How old are you OP? Why do you feel the need to be in a relationship? Often if you forget about finding "the one" and just concentrate on enjoying yourself as a single woman it will happen

We hope you're going to tell us how it went!

Thanks @GrannyHaddock @Moimasturbate for the replies.
It went fine, we had a lovely time. We went for dinner and drinks, he stayed over and we went for lunch the next day before he left.
It's very different to my experience of meeting men through OLD though (he and I met through a friend) he isn't into text chatting and flirting. I guess I'm used to being pursued by men if they are interested, he is just very laid back and a bit shy.
Maybe I just need to relax and take things at a slow pace, and not compare him to the other guys-who it didn't work out with at all!

Thanks for letting us know, I love a happy ending! I hope everything works out for you.