“The man chooses; we’re a little old-fashioned like that. Miss Bishop has expressed a preference for a cozy restaurant or a casual brunch as venues, but since your date is on Saturday night that cuts out brunch.”

If I had known I had a choice, I would’ve gone for lunch and kept the evening free to watch the game. Next time, I won’t be fooled.

“Whenever you’ve picked a location,” Jennifer continues, “make a reservation under your alias and send us the details. We’ll let Miss Bishop know the time and place. Please put some thought into the restaurant you pick, Dr. Keller. You don’t get a second chance at first impressions.”

Her condescension irks me. “This may shock you, Jennifer, but I have been on dates before.”

Either she misses the sarcasm, or she’s too professional to comment on it. “Then I’m sure Saturday will go swimmingly! We’ll be in touch soon, Dr. Keller. Have a wonderful day.”

If Garrett hadn’t sworn time and time again by their service, I would’ve already quit the agency.

***

Jennifer might not be my favorite person in the world, but she did have a point: first impressions do matter. I spend the afternoon researching potential dinner venues. I hit all the usual suspects first for reviews: The New Yorker, Zagat, and Time Out. Then, I dig a little deeper, scrolling through my Facebook and Instagram—an activity I rarely engage with—searching for pictures of curated meals and the inevitable gushing comments about the wonderful food and atmosphere.

I make a list of the five most promising spots, then check out their websites. Multiple backup options are essential. Once a restaurant becomes the craze of the New York crowds, it might be hard to find a free table with only a few days’ notice.

I call the first name on my list, Il Buco.

“Hello, Il Buco,” a female voice picks up. “How can I help you?”

“Hi, I was looking for a table to book on Saturday night.”

“Let me check real quick… How many guests?”

“Two.”

“We have a table free at six o’clock, and a couple open around ten. Would either of those times work for you, sir?”