Celtic Cross | #ONC2019

III.

I would have been lying to myself if I didn't admit feeling a tinge of disappointment as I brought our drinks back to where Nick was waiting. The stranger was easy to talk to, and definitely not hard to look at, but I suppose he had better things to do than waste his time standing at a bar, chatting it up with a first-gen Irish girl.

The disappointment must have been clear on my face because Nick frowned as he took the martini. "Did that douche say something to you? Do I need to cut him?"

I gave a small smile. "No, nothing bad. Just some conversation."

That he apparently couldn't wait to get out of.

Nick held my gaze for a moment before taking my hand. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"To dance."

"I don't dance."

"Then sway."

He dragged me to the center of the packed dance floor before I could proclaim any further objections.

It was not that the band was bad. In fact, they were exceptionally decent as they played various covers of popular songs from the 80s and on. I just wasn't in the mood. Or at least I wasn't at first. I realized I was able to put aside the day's disturbing events f while I was talking- or was it flirting? - with the Scottish stranger. But after he left as quickly as he appeared, it was like the weight of my metaphysical situation crashed down upon me once again.

I knew Nick noticed- that's why he'd dragged me out to dance.

A part of me knew it was him trying to get his bartender's attention, but I also knew he truly was trying to cheer me up.

So I danced, and I allowed him to buy me drinks, and as the hours went on, I found I didn't care as much as I had. And not just about those damn cards.

About... anything.

At some point during the night, Nick's bartender, who I learned was named Leo, joined us on the dance floor, and although we were still in a group, Nick's attention was solely on Leo. I didn't blame him; it was why we'd come out to the bar in the first place. But I did feel my gaze drifting over the crowd, searching. Red hair was hard to miss, even in the strobing club lights.

Nothing.

The night carried on, with the music getting louder and the drinks flowing faster. I heard Leo mumble something to Nick over the music as the band announced last call. Nick cast a glance towards me and bit his lip. I knew what was coming next and already had a grin on my lips when he leaned into me.

"Leo wants to get going," Nick said just loud enough for me to hear him over the music.

"Something tells me I'm not invited."

He gave me a slight smile. "I can get you a cab."

"I'll be fine," I assured him, patting his cheek.

"But I feel bad leaving you alone."

"I'm a big girl, Nicholas. I can call an Uber myself."

He gave me a look that said he wanted to remind me not to use his full name, but Leo's presence reigned him in. "Text me when you get home?"

"Yeah right," I said playfully, pushing him towards the bartender. "And even if I did, something tells me you'd be too preoccupied to check until morning."

Leo must have heard me because he gave Nick a knowing grin, and I shooed them away. Nick mouthed a 'thank you' before linking arms with the strong, dark man and guided him towards the coat check.