Samantha Cummings, 24,Marketing
Stranded on an island, she’d want: Fruit, wine, and sunglasses
Her perfect Saturday: Reading on the beach, dinner with someone handsome and intelligent
Michael Lawlor, 25, Legislative director
He says he’s a catch because: He’ll bend over backward for someone he cares about.
His perfect date: Cooking dinner at his place, then going for drinks at a local bar
7:30 p.m. Masa, South End
Late for a Very Important . . . Michael: I had a couple of drinks with my roommate before getting ready. I got more nervous as the time grew closer.
Samantha: I got home around 6:30 from work, so I was running around like a madwoman trying on different outfits and looking for my keys in the process.
Michael: I arrived early. She was running a little late and called the restaurant to inform them. I thought that was very nice of her.
Samantha: When I walked in, the host asked if I was Samantha and then he brought me over to Mike.
Michael: I kind of knew it was her when she walked in. It was a Tuesday night and the place wasn’t all that busy.
Samantha: I liked his sense of style -- nice black button-up. And I liked his blue eyes.
Michael: I thought she was very cute, definitely my type.
Just for Laughs Samantha: The service was really good: The waiter was attentive but not in our faces and allowed us time to talk.
Michael: We definitely had a lot in common. She is very family-oriented and likes to run, just like myself. She loves her job and is very dedicated to what she does, which is always impressive.
Samantha: He told me that he volunteers for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which I thought was great.
Michael: We both grew up on the South Shore, so we talked about places and people we both might know.
Samantha: I found out he actually knew a girl from my high school. We both volunteer, like to go out into Boston, and have similar tastes in music.
Michael: She had a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh, which I loved. A girl with a great sense of humor gets me every time.
Samantha: I liked his scruffy blond hair. His personality made him more attractive as well. We laughed at random things -- like I called the baby corn carrots, and he just laughed.
Stella Can Wait Samantha: We talked about the South End and restaurants and bars we’ve gone to. I told him about Stella, and we both were like “Let’s go!” I was excited to spend more time with him, but I had an early meeting the next day.
Michael: It was a Tuesday night and already pretty late. She had to get home.
Samantha: When we got to my car, we gave each other the awkward “I don’t want to leave just yet” hug.
Michael: We exchanged numbers. I definitely had a great time.
Post-Mortem Michael says: A
Samantha says: B+
A Second Date? Yes. “We talked about getting together, possibly this weekend,” Samantha says.
GO ON A BLIND DATE. WE’LL PICK UP THE TAB. To apply for Dinner With Cupid, fill out an application at boston.com/cupid. 
