‘Is it OK if I follow up with a phone call to see how you’re enjoying our service?’
In most scenarios, this is a pretty standard question to be asked by the person setting up your internet.
But then, the operator – let’s call him Max – follows up with three words that change everything.
‘Perhaps, after hours?’
Max and I have spent the better part of an hour shamelessly flirting with each other while organising my new broadband.
He has the gift of the gab, that’s for sure – but there is also something intriguing about his voice.
It is sultry and deep, sending a shiver down my spine – and the banter was in full swing within minutes.
Max tried to stick to his sales pitch but it was no use – we were both distracted by our connection, which could be felt even through the phone.
Since he was the one working, though, I let him take the lead.
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I knew the conversation was being recorded and I didn’t want to get him in trouble, so we kept our conversation appropriate – but only just.
Every word – like how my ‘needs’ could be met by this internet – was dripping with innuendo.
I casually dropped into conversation that I was single, then he did the same.
Max did his job – I signed up to the new broadband contract – but once this was done, he got down to the real business at hand.
‘I’d be more than happy to hear from you again,’ I replied and hung up the phone.
A week later, after texting each other back and forth, as well as sharing photos to show what the other person looked like, I was on a night out with mates when he asked if I wanted to come meet him for a drink at his local.
Max was just as sexy in person as his voice suggested but it became evident very quickly that our attraction was purely physical.
To cut a long story short: We didn’t fall in love, but we did have sex – on a picnic table, of all places.
He lived with his parents and I couldn’t be bothered to bring him back to mine – so we just popped into the park next door.
It was cold, quick and dirty. We didn’t meet up again. But even as I stood at the bus stop at midnight, waiting for my ride home, I had no regrets.
This happened a long time ago but I still laugh about it with my mates to this day.
I’ve never been one to look a gift horse in the mouth so when the universe delivers opportunity my way, I tend to say yes – regardless if it’s romance or just the potential of a good shag.
But the thing about adventure is that you need to be open to it.
If recent statistics are anything to go by, a lot of Brits are suffering from ‘dating burnout’ – often linked to the rise in online dating and apps – which also affects our sex lives.
These days, most of us meet someone in one of three ways: online, at work or through friends.
So it makes complete sense if you’re finding it difficult to make spontaneous connections.
But if you allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone, fate will work its magic in the strangest of ways – and not just when you’re setting up your new broadband.
A few years back, I was on a date with someone I’d met on Tinder.
Jerry* and I went for drinks and he was a nice enough guy but honestly, I was bored.
The chat felt dry and a bit forced.
I was disappointed but not surprised – this was just one in a string of bad dates.
Hoping that things would turn around, I decided to persevere and went to order another drink for us at the bar while Jerry waited at our table.
Funnily enough, the pub we were in was hosting a speed dating event on the other side of the room.
Sitting at table three was a very handsome man who stood out from the bunch with his charming ginger beard.
Suddenly, we locked eyes.
He smiled, I did too – but neither of us was in a position to talk to the other at this point in time.
Lowering my voice, I asked the bartender for a pen and paper, scribbled down my number and asked if she could discreetly deliver the note to the hot stranger later that evening.
I also told her that I was currently on a date with someone else.
‘I’ve got your back,’ she replied.
Admittedly, it’s not very polite to give out your number while you’re on a date.
I was very careful so that Jerry wouldn’t notice and get hurt, but sometimes you have to roll with the punches.
The next night, I was sitting in a different pub with – you guessed it – the ginger stranger.
While he didn’t end up being ‘The One’, the experience of how we’d met was exhilarating.
He was a pretty great kisser, too.
Then there was the time I ended up sharing a taxi with a gorgeous Aussie after a night out at a casino; I’d hopped in a cab just outside, and he asked if we could split it.
His name was Bryan, he was a 25-year-old personal trainer and he thought I was sexy.
Twenty minutes later, when the taxi stopped outside his house, he asked if I’d like to join him for a nightcap (read: hot sex).
I said yes.
(Side note: I shared his address with a friend to stay safe).
Another time I had a month-long fling with a stranger who I used to run into on the Tube platform every day on my way to work.
We threw curious glances and smiles at each other each time but it took months until he – thankfully – worked up the courage to say hi.
He was a lovely guy but we ended up not being very well-suited.
My point is this, though: Spontaneous, mysterious and fantastic connections can still be found. You just have to be brave enough to look for them.
Taking a break from dating apps and going ‘offline’ to meet people might lessen any fatigue you’re feeling.
To be clear, I’m not saying that you should call up your local broadband provider for a quick shag or ride-share taxis everywhere. Those are just my experiences.
Start by simply looking up.
Sit in a social space of your choosing – a pub, museum, the local Starbucks – and if you see someone you find attractive, throw them a smile.
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Pay attention to their body language and if they don’t seem interested, don’t push it.
But if they smile back, say hello. Who knows what might happen?
*Name has been changed
This article was originally published January 24, 2025
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk.
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