Yes, you may sit at this table with me.
I do not mind
but, be warned
I did not come here to be picked up.
I am heterosexual
and an atheist
I do not care for sports
or want to invest in any schemes.

I am here to drink hot chocolate
and read this comic book
and maybe later
take out my light computer and pretend to work.
I do not want to compare the size of the books we’re reading
or the correctitude of our respective philosophers.
I don’t want you to buy me a drink
or me to buy you a biscotti.
I’m not interested in your grandfather’s health
and will not share with you
anything about mine.

I am here for specific purposes
and
while this sit before me does not enter into my purposes,
neither does your presence.
You are welcome to use the seat
but not my ear for any bending,
my eyes for any attention,
my lips for any of the things you may be thinking.

You can have the seat.
Nothing else.

In fact,
upon consideration:
get up.
That miniskirt over there can have that seat
along with anything attached to it.