We’ve been sending flirty messages – my pals say go for it

MERT, 28 VITAL STATISTICS

SINGLE for three months, no children.

CURRENT ROLE

CIVIL service.

WOULD LIKE TO MEET

SOMEONE I can get along with. Looks fade — so chemistry and compatibility are key.

DATING PAST

I’ve never been in a relationship where I’ve wanted to take it to the next step which, for me, is marriage. I recently came out of a two-anda-half-year relationship — it was a mutual split. Since then, I’ve been happily single and no, I don’t use dating apps. I prefer to meet women in everyday situations.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

It’S the first time I’ve ever done something as impulsive as this, so I was nervous.

My friends were encouraging but I was still paranoid about the prospect of spending a couple of hours with a complete stranger.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

I WoN’t lie, I wasn’t expecting someone like Jess, but she is gorgeous. I can’t remember what I found most attractive about her.

I do know I felt overdressed in a suit, which wasn’t great, but I had to go to work afterwards.

EASY TO TALK TO?

JeSS is a petrolhead and loves Formula one. recently, there was a crash in the Austrian Grand Prix and she was amazed that I hadn’t seen it. In my defence I work long hours.

I had to promise her I’d watch it. I did also hint that I’d be up for going racing with her on a track, but she didn’t bite.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

No, thankfully. We each had a chocolate bomb dessert to finish but managed to avoid getting any chocolate on ourselves.

DID SPARKS FLY?

For me, yes. I either click with someone or I don’t. there was chemistry during the date and we have been messaging one another since — it has been a bit flirty.

SEE HER AGAIN?

yeS definitely, if Jess is up for it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?

WHIle I didn’t ask her outright, I think she likes me. I’m a good listener. She talked about a close relative dying, which was sad, but I liked that she opened up to me. things got quite deep. Hopefully she liked the fact I’m an empathetic person. WOULD YOUR FRIENDS LIKE HER? yeS. I showed them some of Jess’s pictures on Instagram and the unanimous decision was that I should go for it.