Chapter 2: Night Out

Nancy’s POV

My friends and I make our way inside “The Twisted Glass”, a small bar just off-campus. We find empty seats at the bar and try to get the attention of a bartender. Carter, my best friend, stands next to me talking about a professor he doesn’t like, but I’m not focusing.

All my thoughts are on Ronnie.

The bar is dark, with dim lights spread around the small room. The place smells of various types of alcohol and perfumes. There isn’t a lot of space to walk around with so many high-top tables spread everywhere.

“I met someone last night,” I say over everyone’s chattering. My friends get quiet, absorbing what I said. I don’t usually date or talk about anyone I like, so my saying this is a big deal to them.

“Where? When? How?” Sara spits out as soon as she realizes what I said.

“I was at work last night and he was watching the show. He stopped some jerk from grabbing at me and we just hit it off. We talked for an hour before I realized what time it was.” I look around at everyone, waiting for them to say something.

“It’s not, like, serious, is it?” Carter asks, clenching his fists tight.

I think for a moment. “I don’t know. I’ve never wanted to just sit there and talk to someone. He genuinely wanted to know about me, and listen to what I said.” I smile, remembering last night. “I like him enough that I gave him my number.”

Molly orders everyone drinks while I tell them about Ronnie. I’m not surprised when they fire more questions at me.

Jessie takes a drink and asks, “So, what’s he do for a living? What’s he look like? C’mon, don’t leave out anything!”

I look at Carter and notice he’s been silent ever since I brought it up last night. His blonde hair hangs over his face, blocking me from fully seeing him. Maybe it’s just because we’re talking about a guy?

“Well, he works at his parent’s car company as the CEO.”

Carter makes a snorting sound while I’m talking. “Nepotism in the workplace …” he mutters, loud enough for me to hear.

“He’s a bit older than me …” I hesitate for a moment, waiting for their reactions. “He’s 30 years old.”

“I mean, that’s not too much older than you,” Jessie says hesitantly while tucking a piece of her black hair behind her ear.

“It’s old enough that he could be trying to take advantage of you though,” Carter immediately fires back.

“But he’s super nice! And he’s incredibly good-looking! He’s tall, like really tall! Like, I only reach his chest. And he’s got these gorgeous blue eyes! And his hair was combed back! Guys around here don’t do that. All around, very pleasing to look at!” The girls ooh and awe over his description while Carter sits there staring into his drink.

I bump my shoulder against his. “I’m not saying I’m marrying this guy tomorrow, Carter. I’m just saying it was a really good night, and I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him again. You don’t have to worry about me.” A couple of seconds pass before Carter looks up and gives me a small smile.

“I just don’t want you getting hurt. You’re my best friend.” Carter bumps his shoulder back against mine.

I wave the bartender down and yell over the loud music. “Could we get a round of shots please?”

The bartender smiles and pours out five shots, and we drink them quickly.

Carter puts his hand on my arm. “Just please tell me you aren’t going to rush into anything. You haven’t been in a relationship since high school, and I don’t want you to jump right into something you might regret. Plus, if you were to start dating, I think picking someone you already know would be better for you ...”

Before I can reply, Sara grabs my other arm and pulls me off my chair. “Let’s go play darts!” She drags me over to the dart board in the corner of the room.

I take three darts and hand Sara the other three. While she’s throwing her first dart my phone vibrates with a text message.

Ronnie: Hello, Beautiful.

I smile at the simple compliment.

Nancy: Hey, Handsome.

I look up and see Sara lining up her second dart when my phone buzzes again.

Ronnie: Did you know cats don’t meow to communicate with each other? They do it to communicate with humans.

I can’t help the chuckle that comes out. He’s sending me animal facts? Not what I was expecting, but I kind of like it.

“Your turn, hun.” Sara comes up beside me. “Oh, is that the guy from last night?”

I nod my head. “Yeah. He’s sending me random animal facts.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Why? That’s kind of weird, right?”

“Because I told him what I’m going to school for and how I like animals better than humans,” I say.

Nancy: Did you know cats bring you dead mice because they think you aren’t capable of hunting for yourself?

I put my phone in my back pocket and take my turn throwing darts.

After a full game of darts- which I lost- I still don’t have another text from Ronnie. Was my random fact too much? He started the little game!

We all say our goodbyes and head our separate ways except for me and Jessie, my dorm mate.

“So, are you going to see this guy again?” she asks on the walk home.

“I’m not sure, I’d really like to. Time just didn’t exist when we were talking. I’ve never lost track of time like that before.”

“Okay, but you know the rule. Anything serious happens, we definitely need to meet the guy eventually.” Jessie smiles and bumps her shoulder against me.

“Of course! We can’t date someone if our friends don’t approve!” I giggle at the rule we all agreed to back in freshman year after Sara had a bad breakup.

“Not friends, we’re family at this point.” Jessie wraps an arm around me in a side hug.

She knows how much our little group means to me after growing up in foster homes most of my life. I unlock our door and open it. Jessie walks in and turns on the light.

“I think I’m just going to head to bed, I got a 9 am class tomorrow.” She rolls her eyes and starts changing into some pajamas.

“Yeah, me too. I’m pretty tired. Hey, did you think Carter was a little weird tonight?” I ask as I lock the door.

“Yeah, I couldn’t figure out why, he’s never acted like that around our guy talk,” she replies, crawling into her bed.

I shake my head and change into my own pajamas before turning the light off.

“Goodnight, Jessie.”

“Sweet dreams, Nancy.”