I think this one's challenging. If you want to say give up, spare me your time, it's not one-itis.

Missed a lunch date today with an HB8 that I met a conference months ago. Lunch was to be a networking/job search related deal as I'm being laid off. She's agreed to meet for dinner tonight instead, but isn't impressed with me.

1) From a professional perspective, what do you recommend for damage control without being week/apologetic? Sincerely say sorry and let it go? say sorry and let it go? The lay off doesn't help, but my attitude towards it is that of not being the least bit concerned, so I think that helps.

2) How could I turn this into more of a date, or secure another date, without seeming like I've swindled her? Networking genuinely was the original intent, but I've been remember how attracted to here I originally was.

Cheers.