"Yes!" she exclaims. "You look hot, but not like you're trying too hard." "Okay, I'll text you later to let you know how it goes," I tell her. We say our goodbyes and I take my time getting ready. I leave my hair in its natural state and I go light on my makeup. I choose simple strappy heels before switching purses. In the mirror I take it all in. Dylan has texted a while ago saying he just got into town. We agree to meet at eight o'clock at the bar I met Ben at. I'm a little worried I'll run into Ben while with Dylan, but I haven't heard from him in a week so I don't really care. I take the bus to the bar again and I realize I'm running a little late. Dylan texts me saying he's already there when the bus stops a block away. I rush to the bar and quickly show my I.D. to the bouncer. Once inside, it's only slightly crowded. Not anything crazy. Like last time there are a bunch of men in suits. I glance around the room and I finally spot Dylan in a corner table. He's on the phone wearing a concentrated face. His eyes meet mine and he waves me down. I find my way through the crowd and I take in Dylan's look for the night. He's sporting a navy blue short sleeve, button up and some dark jeans with black shoes. It's a little more casual than his look at Raven's and I like it. I sit with him just as he's hanging up his phone. He flashes me a smile. "Sorry. Work is still trying to find me." "Guess that means you're good at your job," I tell him. "I guess so," he smirks. "You look great." "Thanks, so do you," I let a smile creep onto my face. "What do you think of this place?" He glances around, seeming to take in the atmosphere. "I like it. Seems very…speakeasy." I've never thought about it that way. I see it though. "Did you drive up here?" He nods. "I stayed with Anthony again so we could try on the tuxedos. We hung out with Levi and his brother Jack and had a pretty good time." "Lauren and Casey's cousin Ivy are coming next week to try on their dresses. I haven't seen either of them in a while so it should be interesting," I tell him. Thinking about the wedding has me wanting to stress out again. "Um, do you want anything to drink?" "Shit, I forgot about drinks," he says, standing up quickly. "I'll get them." I don't argue and tell him what drink I want. He disappears to the bar and I watch him as he talks to the bartender. His motions and his whole demeanor screams confidence. I can't help but admire him in the moment. He comes back and sets my drink in front of me. I thank him as he sits down. "So what's new with you?" he asks. "Last time we really talked we…uh.." I have to laugh at the awkwardness. "Broke up?" He shakes it off by laughing too. "Yeah." Our breakup was a mutual one, but it hurt like hell. That day comes back to me like a bad dream. Dylan was visiting me at the dorms after a while of not hearing from him. I felt on edge because my classes were harder than I thought they'd be, and Dylan was trying to plan a birthday party for Anthony. He wasn't taking my schooling seriously and wanted me to help him plan the party. We argued about it and everything came out eventually. I was upset because he'd hardly spoken to me and he was upset because he wanted me to travel with him. Instead, we went our separate ways. "Well, my life is nowhere as exciting as yours," I say. "I live alone, work at Donate Plus, and that's pretty much it." He studies me. "When was the last time you actually had a fun night out?" Well that's treading into dangerous territory. The last time was when I met Ben. I'll be honest with Dylan. "The night Casey got engaged, actually. I went out by myself, met a guy, and we hooked up." He has that hard-to-read expression again and I hate it. "That the guy you planned a date with?" he nudges my arm. "Yes," I say slowly before taking a sip of my drink. "I haven't heard from him since last week, but it's whatever." Dylan waves it off. "Fuck that guy. You're going to have fun tonight. I'll make sure of it." I grin. "I thought I was the one treating you to a night out on the town." "That doesn't mean we both can't have fun," he smirks. We order more drinks and the conversations seem to flow easily. He tells me about his clients and their needs and how he mocks some of them because of how snobby they can be. His favorite place to visit is Italy because the architecture is unlike anywhere else. And it's not how he talks about his travels, or his clients, or anything like that that intrigues me the most. It's how he talks about his family. His mom has stayed at home for the past three years now, basically most of Ethan's high school years. He talks about how he doesn't hate his mom anymore for leaving and he's glad she's there for Ethan, saying she's his biggest fan when it comes to football. She champions for Derrick to become a rock star one day, and she hopes Dylan finds everything he wants in life. I find myself feeling envious of his lifestyle. He has everything he wants. Suddenly I question why I've stayed in Greenwell this long. I should've packed up and gone searching for a job in a bigger city where the possibilities seem endless. After our fourth drink I feel tipsy. Dylan has a lazy look in his eye and it makes him look sexy. "You know what we should do?" he asks me. "What?" I rest my chin in the palm of my hand. "Let's stay up until sunrise," he says, leaning towards me. "I've never done it before and I want to." I let out a laugh. "What are we going to do until then?" "I don't know," he taps his chin. "Let's get out of here first." We finish our drinks and I follow Dylan to the bar so he can close his tab. While I'm waiting I spot Ben in the crowd talking to another guy. I feel a little hurt that he hasn't talked to me in a week, yet he's here at the bar. Two can play that game. Dylan's hand rests on my back. "Let's go," he says.