“Oh honey, I’m so sorry,” Grace was trying to console Katie over Facetime. “But you know you did the right thing? Jack will come around. He just needs some time to cool off.”

“Why does it feel like I keep screwing everything up?” Katie cried, smearing her mascara across her cheek.

“Ok, I’m taking you out,” Grace said decisively.

“Oh my God, no,” Katie said through sniffles. “Look at me.”

“You look HOT,” Grace said, “and all of that should not be wasted on that bag of cheese puffs.”

Katie realized she had destroyed the bag of snacks and was now crying into it, orange dust all over her mouth.

“Grace, I think I just want to put on my soft pants and go to sleep,” Katie tried to protest.

“And I think you should wash your face and meet me at O’Flannery’s in 20 minutes,” Grace continued. “C’mon, it will be good to have some girl time. Plus, I just scheduled you an Uber. Ok bye, see you there!” Grace hung up.

Katie just stared at the phone, still partially in shock over Jack’s abrupt departure. As much as she wanted to crawl into bed, Katie knew she wouldn’t sleep anytime soon. A night out to blow off some steam with Grace and get her mind off of everything probably would do her good. She sometimes hated when Grace was right.

Katie marched herself to the bathroom and started cleaning her face with a towel, streaks of black fading into the fabric.

***

“OMG I’m so glad you’re here!” shrieked Grace as soon as Katie walked in the door. It was a loud Saturday night, and everyone still heard Grace’s voice above the crowd. 

Grace grabbed Katie’s hand and pulled her closer. “We’re doing shots,” she said, gesturing to the bartender.

“I don’t think--” Katie started to say, but Grace cut her off.

“That’s the point tonight--not to think so much.” Grace then looked Katie up and down. “Look at that dress! You look incredible. How any man could walk out on that, I have no idea.” 

The bartender set two shots of clear liquid on the bar.

“These are taken care of,” he said, when Grace tried to hand him her credit card.

“Hey thanks, Tom,” Grace said with a knowing smile. “I’ll get you back later.”

“Don’t thank me,” Tom said, smiling back. “That guy down there paid for them.” Tom gestured to a handsome, tall man with dark, wavy hair at the end of the bar, who offered a sheepish wave.

“TYLER!” Grace yelled. “Get your ass over here!”

“Grace, I don’t know if I’m up for this--” Katie said, already anxious. But it was too late--Tyler was headed their way. Of course they would pick the one bar that Tyler would also be hanging out in on a Saturday night. Because it was the only bar any of them went to.

“Hey,” Tyler said, sliding close to Katie, who was leaning against the bar. “I thought I heard Grace yelling over here.” Grace raised her shot in acknowledgement. 

“Wow, Katie, you look--great. Are you guys celebrating something?” Tyler asked, as his eyes took her in.

Before Katie could answer, Grace chimed in with, “We are! Ladies’ night!”

“Well, I don’t want to crash. I just wanted to say hi,” Tyler looked embarrassed as he turned to go back to his seat.

“No way!” Grace grabbed the back of his jacket, preventing him from leaving. “Tonight you’re an honorary member of ladies’ club.”

Tyler looked to Katie, silently asking her permission to stay. Katie picked up her shot in response. “Anyone who buys shots on ladies’ night is part of the club for life.”

Grace and Katie clinked their shot glasses together, touched the bottom of the glasses to the bar, and took them back in one gulp. 

“Alright, then,” Tyler said, smiling. “Now what?”

“Tom!” Grace called out. “Make it three more!” She turned to them and flashed her trademark smile that Katie knew meant trouble was coming. “Let’s have ourselves a night, huh?”

***

Three hours later, Katie, Grace, and Tyler had found themselves dancing at Disco 89. Tyler knew the guy working the door, and they were whisked to a VIP floor with purple lights, smoke machines, and bottle service. 

Katie would normally hate this kind of place, but despite herself, she was having a great time. 

Grace had met a red-head with freckles, her kryptonite, and they had disappeared long ago into a corner somewhere. Tyler and Katie were a sweaty mess, their bodies moving together on the dance floor. He had his hands on her hips and she had her arms around his neck. They were staring at each other, each too afraid to cross the line, and both excited by what might be on the other side.

Suddenly, Grace re-appeared, her lipstick smudged, holding a watery vodka soda. “Aw, look at you guys,” Grace slurred a bit, throwing her arms around the two of them.

Katie and Tyler each became immediately self-conscious and tried to pull apart, but Grace kept holding them together.

“Just like old times, huh?” Grace laughed, clearly drunk, and not understanding the veil of secrecy she was shredding. “You guys can’t stay apart. Maybe it’s fate.”

“What?” Tyler seemed confused, and Katie was both grateful for the loud music and knew she had to get them all out of there before Grace said anything else by mistake.

“Ok, time to go,” Katie said. “Grace, I’m getting you a car.”

Grace just smiled at Katie and gave her an exaggerated wink as she and Tyler put their arms around Grace to escort her out to the sidewalk. “Lemme take that,” Katie said, as she plucked the warm drink from her best friend’s hand and put it on a random hightop.

***

The cool air felt welcome on Katie’s face as they waited with Grace on the corner. 

“I love you guys,” Grace said, as the car pulled up.

“Love you too. Ok, time to go,” Katie said, as she opened the back door and Grace climbed in.

“But not as much as she loves you,” Grace said pointing to Tyler, smiling broadly.

“Goodnight, Grace,” Katie said, closing the car door before Grace could say anything else. 

Katie turned to Tyler with a small shrug and a smile. “Welcome to ladies’ night.”