I Made the First Move, But How Do I Follow Up?

I decided to go out after work yesterday evening by myself for dinner and a couple of drinks. I was feeling a bit social and figured I would go out and spark conversation if anyone caught my eye.

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There is VERY LITTLE OPPORTUNITY for same-gender-loving, men of color in the small, republican town in which I live lol. With that being said, since I moved here I have rarely hung out alone like I typically would do in other more happening cities.

I walked in the restaurant and immediately noticed this guy who works there who I have not seen in a couple of years. I figured he’d stop working there, but that obviously wasn’t the case. I have been super attracted to him from the first time I saw him working there. My first thought was,

“Damn, I at least have to start some sort of conversation with the guy.”​

I continued to the bar, which is extremely small. Although he isn’t a bartender, I noticed that he came behind the bar a lot to prepare drinks..etc. As I was sitting down we looked at each other and said “hi.”

A few minutes later when he came back to the bar I said something else to him to get him talking. I was surprised to learn that he actually remembered me from a couple years back. He was very friendly and seemed very engaged in our conversation—although he was super busy. When he could, he would come back and say little things to me, continuing where we left off in the conversation. I took this as a good sign. Wouldn’t you?

I was preparing to ask for my bill and head home, but I really wanted to exchange information with this guy. I figured I didn’t know when I would see him again and like I said, I’ve been attracted to him for a while. But shit, I don’t even know if he’s gay, bi, or what…!?!?

“Fuck it, you only live once! YOLO!”​

That’s what I said to myself two margarita’s later, lol! I was getting ready to head out and I noticed he had some down time at the bar. I asked him if he had Facebook or anything. He told me that he had SnapChat. He then handed me his phone and told me to add him on Snap.

Then he asked if I had WhatsApp. I told him that I didn’t know my info, but would send it to him when I got home. I did and he added me that night.

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My Question:​

Now what? How do I keep the conversation going? Like I said, I don’t even know if he’s interested in men so I want to keep it friendly just to feel him out a little more.

I’m definitely not good at this type of thing, but I want to get better. I’m challenging myself to take control of my dating life by putting myself out there a little more. Worse case scenario, he could be a new friend and that's why I don’t want to come off the wrong way.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Current events--that's a good one. Thanks!

 

Thanks for all the suggestions!

UPDATE: We have been doing some light chatting on SnapChat. I'm doing the whole casual conversation thing trying to feel him out. I still don't know if he's same-gender-loving or not, but like I said earlier--we can be friends if nothing more. He's reached out to me first twice as of now and we actually may be hanging out.

We shall see...

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