Men think women look at every date as a potential mate. But they're wrong. There are lots of women, Jacey being one of them, who are happy to enjoy an unexpected, spontaneous encounter and leave it at that. Of course, if it goes somewhere, that's OK, too ...

Says Jacey: "Today I had a sort of non-date date. It was so spur of the moment and so strange, but that was what made it so nice. Even if it goes nowhere it was a lovely experience.

"Here's how it happened. Target was having a sale today and well, I needed some new jeans. It's been years since I purchased any new ones. Then I wandered into the pajama section and found some cuddly jammies that seemed fairly grown up. This led to the bedding section.

"As I passed a display I let my hand drag along a lovely throw. I stopped because it felt so nice. I didn't notice a gentleman standing there looking at the same display until he said, 'They look and feel kind of nice don't they?' 'Yes they do,' I replied and found one that would look lovely in my living room.

"He then shyly inquired, 'A gift or for yourself?' I admitted it was for me. He said he was debating getting one for his married daughter. He also admitted that he wasn't the best gift buyer in the world.

"We ended up having coffee in the Starbuck's. The throws were temporarily abandoned. We gave each other the one minute bio. Who we were, where we came from, what we do. He said he's been divorced for a few years. He's the father of one daughter who's married and trying to get pregnant for the first time. I asked about the decor of his daughter and son-in-law's home. He said it 'woodsy, log cabin modern.'

"The throw he'd been looking at had pine trees on it. I told him that would work and to get a bottle of wine and a couple of nice wine glasses to go with it and call it a fireplace set and that maybe that grandchild would happen sooner rather than later.

"He laughed and said that was a good idea because they have a tendency to fall asleep in front of the fireplace.

"After coffee we purchased the throws. He asked for my phone number and I gave it. We parted and he said, 'I just may change the wine to champagne.'

"So, it wasn't really a date, but it just felt nice to share a few minutes with someone in the same place of life as me. Who knows, maybe he'll call. If he doesn't, I still have a nice memory of a shopping trip interrupted.

"You know, women have these visions of Prince Charming riding in on his white steed, but a divorced dad struggling to find the right gift for his daughter is just as lovely."

How many times have you let the same dog bite you? Send your tale, along with your questions, problems and rants to [email protected]. And check out my e-books, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front" and "I'll Call You. Not."