The sun beat down on the park, dappling the path with light and shadow as I fumbled with my phone, pretending to be engrossed in a text that didn't exist. My real mission? To steal glances at the woman on the bench across the way. She was breathtaking – all cascading dark hair, a smile that could launch a thousand ships, and… well, that's where my brain short-circuited.

She stood… And it was over. Suddenly, the words tumbled out before my filter could engage.

"Damn, that ass is fat!" I blurted, slapping my hand over my mouth as if I could somehow shove the words back down my throat.

The woman turned, her smile evaporating like morning mist. Her eyes, the color of aqua jewels, narrowed until they were mere slits. I wanted to melt into a puddle at her feet, but my legs, like traitors, decided to stay stubbornly upright.

"Excuse me?" she purred. Her voice was laced with enough danger to make a grizzly bear reconsider.

I choked on a nonexistent cough, my voice much higher than any 35 year old man’s should ever be. ‘’I mean… it's fluffy?" Words were flying faster than bullets. And trust me, they were all duds. "Fluffy? Fuck, I mean, you're… fluffy! Oh God…"

I buried my head in my hands, picturing the headlines: "Man Dies of Embarrassment at Local Park After Compliment Goes deadly Wrong."

A giggle, soft and sweet, reached my ears. I peeked through my fingers to see the woman's lips twitching. Her eyes, now sparkling with amusement, held no malice.

"Please forgive me," i’m mumbled, adverting my gaze. I exhaled sharply, genuinely stunned at my own stupidity. My cheeks burned brighter than the afternoon sun.

She chuckled again, a sound that could melt glaciers. ‘’Mr. Compliment Machine." She tilted her head. "Trying to pick me up?"

She couldn’t be serious. At this point, I wasn’t sure if she was legally insane or if she just pitied me. Either way, her smile was electrifying. She must have sent a charge through me, because I quickly regained my composure. And by the grace of God, some of my dignity."Well, yes, but clearly, I'm spectacularly bad at it,’’ I mused, smiling Cooley.

She moved closer, extending a hand. "Seems you could use some pointers. Care to join me for a walk? Maybe I can teach you a thing or two about subtlety." She beamed up at me, the warm glow of the sun casting its light upon her face.

“Yeah? “I asked, breathless, as I took her small hand in mine.

She laughed once more, beautiful and genuine."Let's just say, I have a weakness for men who are… creatively challenged,’’ she said playfully, biting her lower lip.

My mind raced as we walked. I didn’t know where this walk was going, or where this beautiful stranger was taking me, but I was more than willing to find out.