When he declines, the world trembles with anticipation. The ladies, in particular, quiver with excitement, wondering what he'll do next. Will he propose with a ring of pure gold, or will he break up over a pizza?
As the minutes tick by, the tension builds. His phone buzzes with texts from concerned friends, "Dude, what's the haps?" The coffee shop down the street is filled with the murmur of speculation: "Will he get down on one knee, or will he make a break for it?"
But little do they know, he's been secretly practicing his "I'm not the one" face in the mirror, perfecting his apologetic shrug. His heart is a maelstrom of emotions, a tempest of turmoil. He's on the precipice of a great unknown, a cliffhanger of love and rejection.
And then, just as he's about to make his move, he trips on his shoelace and face-plants into a nearby trash can. The ladies gasp in horror as he emerges, his dignity in tatters, his pride wounded but not defeated.
Read the thrilling tale of why he declined, and the heartbreak that ensued
Learn more about the perils of love and the perils of shoelaces