“Bottoms up.” I wink at Sophie as we take our shots.

“Eww, that was —”

“Something to shake the nerves?” I finish for her and we both fall into the couch laughing. She checks her phone and sighs. I can tell by the defeated look on her face that her date has stood her up. My heart aches for her. Jesse will never believe me when I tell him, but for the first time in my life I’m going to put myself out there. Sophie seems to need someone to keep her company tonight and there aren’t any little voices telling me to run away. “What’s that cocktail like?”

She smirks and takes a sip. “Strong—” she coughs, “—but good.” She takes another. I wave Becky over and let her know that I’m calling my shift for the night, she eyes the shot glasses and makes me promise to stay put until she finishes so that she can drop me home.

“I’m going to get one for myself and grab my stuff from out the back, then we are going to show those girls how to dance.” Sophie offers me a thank you smile before I leave.

After our second cocktail I drag us off the dance floor back to the couches in the corner. For the past hour and a half, we have danced to all our favourite throwback songs on the jukebox and we are well and truly the last ones here.

Leaning over and plucking Sophie’s phone from her hands, I take a drunken selfie, add myself as a contact and attach the photo.

“Won’t let you be the one that got away.” I throw the romantic reference in to soften the blow that her date stood her up tonight. I can’t help but notice a text message pop up before handing her phone back to her.

Zach - Something came up. I’ll make it up to you.

Then it hits me. “I’ve got it!” I yell over the music. “The most perfect guy for you!”

“Nooo.” She shakes her head. “No more guys, no more dates.”

“But he’s honestly perfect,” I stumble over my words, my mind thinking about Jesse “— he even has a dog!” I say, interrupting my thoughts. I need to make a mental note to go visit Lou-loo soon. Hopefully, I’ll remember this mental note tomorrow once I’ve sobered up. What girl can refuse a cute guy and a dog?

“We could even double date,” I say, focusing back on the conversation. I’m not sure if she has said a word at all since I’ve been off in my thoughts.

Her response tells me she also has been off in her thoughts, “I’m so glad we met, I think I’m gonna keep you.”

* * *