“Anything you ladies need, just ask Mark, and he’ll take care of you. I need to get going, but it was nice meeting you, Texas.” He nodded at me and then looked at Darcy. “It was great seeing you, Darce. I’ve missed you.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, lingering for a few seconds before he walked away. Her gaze followed him as he disappeared into the crowd of people on the dance floor.

“Ooooh girl, you need to spill it.” I leaned against the bar, noticing Mark looking at us expectantly. “Two shots of Casamigos,” I asked before I turned my attention back to Darcy.

She gave me a sad smile. “Not much to say, but we will never be more than just friends.” She looked back at where Evan disappeared, and I knew that look. She was in love.

“You don’t have to tell me anything. I’m just being nosy,” I said, feeling guilty.

Mark laid the two shots on the bar and I got my card to pay, but shook his head. “Evan told me he would take care of your drinks for the night.”

“He what?” Darcy looked surprised.

“He’s paying for everything. Let me know if you need anything else.” He smiled at us before going to help someone else.

“Wow, Darcy.” I picked up the shots, giving her one and clinking our glasses before we downed them.

She didn’t even flinch with her shot. She stared out into the distance, lost in whatever was going on in her head. I let her have a moment knowing that familiar feeling of being caught up in your own emotions.

“We dated while we both attended Monroe University,” she said, finally turning her gaze to me, looking forlorn. “We dated for a few months before he got the news that his younger sister had cancer. It was stage three, and her odds were not good. She qualified for an experimental drug, but it was in Chicago and even though they covered the treatment. Living expenses, food and anything else they would need while they lived there for six months wasn’t covered.”

“He got a job to help his parents pay for the medication her insurance didn’t fully cover, but when he heard they didn’t have any money to go to Chicago, he got desperate. Her chances of survival with this experimental drug were seventy percent and even though the community had raised money for them, it wasn’t enough.” She looked on the verge of tears.

“Darcy, you don’t have to tell me.” I grabbed her hand, giving her strength for whatever she needed.

“He made a deal with the devil and got the money he needed.” Her face transformed into hate. She leaned closer to me, whispering. “He sold himself to some thug named Lucio.”