As Mike handed us our beer, Missy leaned in a little. “So, can you help me out a little?” she asked.
“Sure.” He nodded. “With what?
“I’m trying to hook my girl here with someone.”
I groaned and shook my head. “No, I—”
“Ignore her,” Missy said, interrupting me. “I’m in charge tonight.”
“I have no doubt you’re in charge most nights,” he said appreciatively.
I rolled my eyes as she laughed. “How well you know me already. Now tell me… Any viable candidates? There must be a few regulars that you can recommend?”
“I don’t want—”
“I want a guy who’s looking for a good time,” Missy continued, ignoring me once more.
Mike looked ahead at the dance floor. “Elijah’s a decent guy. He’s the tall blond with the arm tattoo. Greg and Sam are good guys too. They’re at the end of the bar with the redhead.”
“Is she with one of them?”
“Nope…strictly friends last I checked.”
“Thanks, Mike, darling, you’ve been a doll.”
“Is that the only thank you I can expect to receive?” he asked suggestively.
Missy gave him a little wink. “Find me at the end of the night, and I’ll give you a proper thank you,” she promised.
I tried not to let their little exchange bother me, but I was ashamed to admit it did. It just served to remind me that I was alone. I had lost the love of my life and everything I saw just seemed to drive home that fact. Missy must have caught on to the sour expression on my face because changed course immediately and forced me away from the bar.
“I know this is a struggle for you,” she said gently. “But try not to think about Chance tonight.”
“What would you suggest I think about?”
Missy sighed. “Graduation, it’s only days away.”
I shrugged.
“Then try and focus on another guy. What about the tall blond who Mike pointed out. He’s good looking. He even looks a little bit like—”
“He does not,” I said vehemently.
“Whoa…okay, he doesn’t,” Missy said quickly. “I’m just saying, try and keep an open mind about tonight. Dance with a guy, if he wants to buy you a couple of drinks, let him. If he wants to take you home, let him.”
“Just like that?” I demanded. “I should just ‘let him?’”
“Why not?” she asked. “You’re an adult, and you’ve had sex before… It’s not a big deal.”
“Why do people say that?” I asked. “Why do people act as though sex is meaningless?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“If you can have sex with a stranger and not have it mean anything, then logically, you’re saying that sex
is meaningless.”
“Well…”