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Dinner with Cupid

Blind date: ‘He tried to feed me a smelt’

Will she bite when he offers seafood from his own fork?

Lionel Creech and Hannah Martin.

LIONEL CREECH: 28 / biotech product manager

When he is happiest: In nature, followed by a cold beer with good company

What makes him a catch: World traveler, speaks four languages

HANNAH MARTIN: 23 / market manager

Her perfect date: Tasty Burger and Bud Lights, sailing on the Charles

Her interests: Running, hiking, anything in nature

> 8 P.M. WAYPOINT, CAMBRIDGE

> OPEN UP

Lionel Embarrassingly enough, I managed to book a client dinner on the same day, so I had to race over to get there a little early. I believe it is rude to keep a girl waiting.

Hannah An employee asked if I was Hannah. With a smirk, he brought me to the table.

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Lionel I noticed her bright blue-green eyes. She seemed at ease and open to anything.

Hannah He wasn’t the person I envisioned embodying the name of Lionel. He had a nice build, attractive, and was shorter than me. More “buttoned up” [than] I typically go for, but I was willing to give him a shot.

> LINE IN THE SAND

Lionel We spoke about hobbies, including biking. Apparently someone stole her bike seat, and I told her how much trouble I get into mountain biking flipping over handlebars. That sounds boring, but the conversation jumped around and we had fun with it.

Hannah We mostly talked about him, including his family and new job. I did most of the asking, but the same questions were not directed at me.

Lionel We were adventurous eaters and got fried smelts and bone marrow with lobster salad on top. They reserved a special table that gave us a view of the kitchen.

Hannah We ordered incredible oysters from Washington state. Lionel claimed they were the best he ever had (he was much more experienced in oysters). We also ordered a char belly dish. I swear it was pork, he swears it was fish.

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Lionel Some playful teasing occurred. Ultimately, we decided to savor the mystery.

Hannah He continued to talk about his bougie lifestyle, which came off as being slightly pretentious. He told me he had oysters over 300 times.

Lionel I really liked the fact that she genuinely thanked the waiters and was extremely polite, a huge plus in my book.

Hannah At one point, he tried to feed me a smelt from his own fork and I instinctively recoiled. I think that drew the line in the sand for me.

> SOMETHING FISHY

Lionel I offered to get a nightcap, but Hannah had to be up early.

Hannah If I had agreed, he might have tried for a kiss, but I didn’t want to give the wrong impression.

Lionel I texted her afterward and wished her a good night.

Hannah We exchanged numbers and hugged goodbye.

> SECOND DATE?

Lionel I would like to get to know her better.

Hannah While I had an overall lovely time, I don’t see a love connection.

> POST MORTEM

Lionel / A-

Hannah / B+

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