I still got it

I was out of town when The Hubby and I passed our 9-year anniversary. Nine years! Holy cow! It doesn't seem that long ago that we were dating, but anyway...
On the day of our anniversary, we texted each other at the same time (unplanned) and said our I love you's. Hardly romantic.
When I got back, we decided that we needed to do something a little more celebratory. We went out to dinner. Without the kids. I think these days that is called "a date." Or if you're with the guy you, like, totally dig, I think it's called "a hot date."
Ok, so we went on a hot date to Red Robin and got monster burgers with which to stuff our faces. (Definitely NOT a cool thing to do on "a hot date," which is why being married is so great. You can put that best foot right back in line with the ugly foot.)
So we crammed our faces full of hamburgers (I got avocado on mine, and it was delicious) and talked about the good ol' times, and the good current times, and the good times coming.
Right before we left, The Hubby excused himself and went to the bathroom.
That's when I noticed it. . .
The younger guy across the room, staring
right. at. me!
I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty cute. Or at least I was once. I remember what it felt like to be checked out, even flirted with from across the room.
I recognized the look. He was checking me out! He couldn't take his eyes off me, even to take a swig of beer.
Back in the day, I would have smiled and looked away slyly and maybe tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I glanced slyly back at him.
Nine years later, the flirt channels in my brain were so rusty and dusty that I just didn't know what to do!
I think I just looked away, embarrassed at first, and then glanced back quickly...
yup, still staring.
So I became fascinated with my fries.
Yup, still staring.
Ooh, the specials for this week! Fascinating.
Still staring. Dessert menu, interesting!
Still staring.
I began to search the hallways looking for the Hubby to come back and save me from this over-starer, but he was not to be found.
I did the only thing I could think to do. I very casually put my left hand on my face and rested my elbow on the table and tried my hardest to get my wedding ring to catch the light and flash in his eyes. I drummed my fingers on my cheek, creating attention to my hand, hopefully sending the message to this guy to, like totally back off, 'cause I'm taken.

Nope still staring.
The waiter came over to Mr. Flirt's table then and blocked his view of me. I heard them talking, then the waiter also turned and looked at me! I can't take myself anywhere. I'm too cute.
Then I heard the waiter, say, "who's playing?" and Mr. Flirt gave him some names.
Playing?
I turned my head to the left and saw it out of the corner of my eye.
oh.
a big screen tv
with a football game on it.
just above my left shoulder.

I felt a rush of relief. He wasn't flirting with me, he was watching a game!
But there was still a part of me that felt a little huffy. I wasn't good enough to flirt with?!
When the Hubby came back, I asked, "if you saw me from across the room, would you try to flirt with me?"
He didn't even hesitate. "yup."
And he was looking into my eyes when he said it, not watching the game behind me.
That's why I love him.
Eat that, Mr. Flirt.