One day, TikToker Lindsey (@heybabeitslindsey) was meeting a guy at a coffee shop near her house, and while she was waiting for him to show up, another guy already at the coffee shop kept eyeing her.
When she walked up to get her drink, he was still making intense eye contact with her. Clearly, he was into her. She gave him a polite, friendly smile and returned to her seat.
This guy approached her and asked if she wanted any company. She told him that she was meeting up with someone for a date.
Undeterred, he asked for her phone number, and they started chatting for a bit before the other guy showed up. It turned out that they had a lot in common. In that short exchange, Lindsey explained that she was divorced with three kids.
She had been divorced for three years. He also had three kids and claimed to be newly separated since August. That detail gave her pause at first.
“I generally have a rule that I do not date separated men or newly divorced,” said Lindsey. “In North Carolina, you have to wait a year, so I just have a rule that I do not date newly divorced men. Too messy.”
Still, after they parted ways, he began messaging her nonstop, practically begging to see her again. He was super cute and persistent and had managed to charm his way into her interest.
So, she eventually decided to make an exception to her rule and meet up with him for coffee.
They had a great time, and the conversation flowed easily, but subtle discomfort started to creep in. He became touchy way too soon.
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For example, he placed his hand on her back when they were ordering coffee, even though they weren’t that familiar with each other yet.
The next morning, they met up again, and the physical boundaries continued to blur. This time, he was touching her leg and stroking her hair, which she did not like.
But before she could fully process the situation, he dropped a bombshell, revealing that he was still married. He admitted to cheating on his wife for the last 10 years.
In that moment, everything clicked. The eagerness, the lack of boundaries, and his comfort with lying were all telltale signs of a cheater.
Lindsey’s initial rule existed for a reason, and this experience reinforced how important it is to trust your instincts. Don’t be blinded by charm. Being cautious and willing to walk away can save you from harm.
Sadly, married men are quite common to find in the dating pool. Now, she’s wondering if his wife is aware of what he’s been up to lately because she would love to let her know.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
