“If they’re closing soon maybe we should order another drink to take on the road,” Georgina suggested.

“I don’t want to hassle him again. He’s really busy. Besides, this better be my last one. I’m really starting to feel it.” Chip took a big gulp of his drink. “Why don’t we stand outside?”

“Okay. I could use a cigarette. How about you?”

Chip laughed. “I don’t smoke.”

“You don’t?”

“No. But I thought you were cute and wanted to talk to you.”

Georgina kissed him on the cheek and squeezed his arm hard.

In front of the bar, they sat down on the curb. Georgina put down her cup, then reached into her purse for a cigarette. As she lit up, she mumbled, “I’m really trying to quit. But I guess I wouldn’t have met you if I weren’t standing outside the comedy club smoking. So something good has come out of this habit.”

“Sure,” Chip said, feeling antsy. He wished they were hanging out with his friends. Rose was okay to be with, he decided, but his initial attraction to her was gone. Something had clicked off. She suddenly seemed so complicated and weird. He took another sip of his drink. Within a few minutes, he’d finished his margarita. Georgina’s was basically untouched. She poured most of it into his cup.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re bigger than I am. If I drink as much as you I’ll get sloppy. And we don’t want that to happen, do we?” she asked coquettishly. “I’m happy with my cigarette.”

“If you insist. It’s so hot, these are going down too easily. And I didn’t have any dinner. Nonetheless…” he said, then drained the plastic cup. “I’m going to run back inside,” he said, his voice giddy. “I have…I have to use the little boys’ room.”

Inwardly Georgina panicked. “I’ll come with you,” she said quickly. “I have to use the little girls’ room.” She wasn’t about to let him out of her sight. “Besides, I’ll miss you too much.” She put her arms around him, reached up and kissed him on the mouth, all while removing the cell phone from his belt.

Chip pulled away, started to stand, and almost lost his balance. “Sorry. I feel a little woozy. Those drinks were strong.”

“You’ll be fine.” Georgina laughed as she stood up, draping her arm around his waist. “Let’s go inside and use the restrooms. Throw some cold water on your face. Then we’ll find our park bench.” She leaned her head against his chest and rubbed his back. “It’ll be so romantic.”

“I can’t stay out too late. I just started a new job and I have to get to work early tomorrow morning. I have to be rested and on my toes…” he said, his speech slurred.

Georgina’s anger was building. He was trying to give her the brushoff. “I’m only in New York for a couple of nights,” she said sweetly. “Stay out with me just a little while longer. I promise that before you know it you’ll be sleeping like a baby…”