“If this is ladies’ night,” Tyler said, taking a step towards Katie, “I should have made myself an honorary lady weeks ago.”

“We don’t go this hard every weekend,” Katie said, taking a step in to meet Tyler. “You know, sometimes it’s naked pillow fights and braiding each other’s hair.”

Tyler smiled. “That sounds pretty fun too. I mean to be honest,” he continued, “any night with you is fun, Katie.”

They stared at each other in the moonlight. There were other singles from the club around them, of course, each pairing off into various car services, but Katie and Tyler could only see each other. 

“Well, I’m glad you found us,” Katie said, genuinely. “I was having a pretty rough night, and I have to say, you really turned it around. Well, you and those shots.”

“Oh yeah?” Tyler winked at her and she melted a little. “You know, we could keep the night going. Just because Grace left doesn’t mean we have to stop hanging out.” He threw his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug.

“You want to tell me about your rough night?” he asked, looking at her with concern. “ You know, I have wine at my place--wanna come by for a nightcap? It is after 11 PM, and I know how you like to talk emotions after 11 PM.” He smiled. 

This wasn’t the first time Tyler had made a move with this line. Tyler might not remember, but Katie did.

***

About three months into seeing each other in college, Katie knew they were approaching that “are we dating or not?” conversation. Tyler had asked her to come over--instead of go out--for a change. She wasn’t exactly sure what he was going to say. Everything seemed like it had been going great, but she still wasn’t sure how relationships worked. Maybe he was tired of her. She had seen the ways other girls casually fixed their hair, or reapplied lip gloss when he was around--he certainly had no shortage of options.

When she asked if she could bring anything, his response was “I’ve got wine. Bring yourself. That’s all I need.”

Smooth. Katie thought, although she also knew he meant it. Tyler never said anything he didn’t mean. It also started to ease her mind--maybe he didn’t want to break up, after all.

Katie instinctively knew she should dress it up a little beyond one of their study parties. It was getting close to the end of the year, and there was definitely snow on the ground, but she still shimmied into a pale blue satin slip dress. If he was crazy enough to try and break things off, she was going to try and make him regret it as much as possible.

When she got to his very nice apartment--much nicer than hers--she realized she was standing on the doorstep, taking everything in, just in case it was the last time. She hadn’t touched the door, but it swung open. “Katie?” Tyler asked, with a small smile on his face. “I saw the taxi lights outside. What are you doing just standing out here? Get in, it’s cold!” He grabbed her hand to lead her inside.

His tastefully furnished one bedroom glistened with candlelight, and Ella Fitzgerald was playing on a speaker. Katie let herself breathe a small sigh of relief as she took off her puffer coat. He wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble just to break up with her, right?

“I um. Wow.” Tyler was standing and staring at her in the slip dress. Katie all of a sudden felt exposed. “Is it too much?” she asked. 

“You look incredible. Come here.” Tyler wrapped his arms around her lower back and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss. “If I had known to dress up, I would have pulled out something nicer--” he said softly, in between kissing her mouth and her neck.

“I wasn’t sure how tonight was going to go,” Katie said, honestly. “I wanted to look good, in case…”

“In case what?” Tyler said, pulling back so he could look at her.

“In case, I don’t know, you wanted to break up? I wanted you to remember me as a sexy goddess,” Katie said, now feeling embarrassed for even thinking it.

“Do you want to break up?” Tyler looked almost shocked.

“What? No! Of course not,” Katie pulled him back closer to her in the foyer. “We’re just around that three month mark, and I don’t know, I thought you wanted to talk tonight, so I got nervous.”

Tyler put his hands on the sides of her face, gently. “Katie. I love you. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”

Katie couldn’t help herself. She let out an excited giggle. Then realizing that wasn’t the sexiest way to respond, she just said “I love you, too.”

Tyler smiled broadly and started kissing her again, moving his hands slowly down her hips.

“Let’s get out of the foyer,” Katie whispered.

“Good idea,” Tyler said, and in one swift motion, he picked her up and started to head to the bedroom.

“Is that where you’re keeping the wine?” Katie joked as he carried her.

“I’ve decided I’m going to drink you in first,” Tyler said, all warmth in his eyes.

***

“So? What do you think? I’m not far…” Tyler was again asking Katie to come with him, back in the present. Katie knew how good a night with Tyler would feel. And she was letting herself consider it, when she felt her phone buzz.

A text from Jack. “Can we talk?” it said.

“Sorry. Um. One sec,” Katie said to Tyler, turning away from him. The truth was, she and Jack hadn’t actually broken up. At least no one said those words. And she did still love Jack. She wanted to make things right with him, more than she wanted to have Tyler’s hands on her. At least for now.

“Yes!” she texted back. “Anytime.”

“Everything ok?” Tyler asked.

“Yeah, listen...thanks so much for the offer, but I have to go home. Let’s raincheck?” Katie tried to make her voice sound friendly.

“Sure, another time,” Tyler said, with a disappointed smile.

“Ok then. See you Monday,” Katie said, turning back to her phone.

“Just--before I go--what was all that about, what Grace said?” Tyler asked.

“You know Grace,” Katie said, trying to cover. “She’s just saying the first thing that pops into her brain--even when her brain is full of alcohol. It didn’t make any sense...right?” Katie added a small laugh, hoping Tyler would join in.

But instead he just looked at her. “Whatever you say. You ok to get home? To...Jack?” 

“Yeah, I’m good,” she answered, hoping she could end the conversation without specifics.

“Night, then,” Tyler said, turning around and walking into the night.

She watched him go, wondering if she had made the right choice.