Best date you never went on.

When I was 19, I moved in with my aunt to work a summer job. I quickly obtained a job at a local convenience store where I worked nights. I hated it because jerks would come in sometimes and steal alcohol. One night, my co-worker and I were on schedule and it was a cold night outdoors and we were not receiving many customers. He was in the back stocking the freezer while I stayed up front to handle any customers that may show up. This guy came in with his dog, selected a single can of beer from the back cooler, brought it to my register and paid. He was wearing this hooded jacket, jeans and we briefly made eye contact. He seemed shy and a little flustered. I was too - but at that time, I was very much the introvert and an extremely shy person. He left. I went back into the back room behind the register. Approximately 20 minutes later the front door beeped signaling a customer. I came out from the back to stand at my register. My co-worker was still unboxing and stocking. It was the same guy with his dog. He was holding something behind his back. I felt nervous and slightly alarmed. He walked up to me at my register and brought his hand forward from behind his back - he put a card and a single rose on the counter in front of me, turned around and left. I was so surprised and taken aback. I'd never experienced a situation such as this. I was quite flattered. Long story short, we became great friends and talked A LOT over that summer, hung out a lot and had many great laughs and amazing conversations. We never dated. He never came out and asked me to date him or to be exclusive. I'm not sure if we were both just that hesitant to put it out there. I remember one evening he popped in to my aunt's house. He was out walking his dog, Lady, with his best friend. He asked if I wanted to join them. I agreed. Roland ended up walking Lady while we walked behind talking and laughing. He grasped my hand at one point, realized it and let go. I wish he hadn't. We ended up sitting on a curb behind this gas station, looking at the stars and talking some more. All the best dates I never went on were with that man. I miss him.