"Katie, Tee, care to come with me to the bar?" Stephanie asks, standing up. She turns towards the guys. "You guys should've done an open bar."

"Oh god no way, do you know how much alcohol this bunch can drink?" Lincoln groans. I notice a lot of people have already gotten drinks.

"We'd end up putting the club in debt. The university would not be very impressed," Ray laughs. The university has high expectations for the faculty associations.

Tina and I stand up. "Let's go," I say.

"Boys?" Tina asks.

"Nah, we're still in charge here tonight. Probably a bad idea to get drunk," Jason states in his serious 'president' tone, "how about this though, drinks are on me, just for you three ladies."

Tina laughs, "Sounds great."

The three of us wait while the bartender makes our drinks. I order a gin and tonic, Stephanie orders a dry martini, and Tina orders a whiskey sour.

"How have you been feeling Katie?" Tina asks once we're out of earshot, "You know, about Lincoln. For the record we're just here as friends."

"Oh I'm much better now." I look over at the table, Lincoln is smiling, laughing at something Ray said. I don't even know if I'm feeling better, or if I've just been doing a really good job of convincing myself I am. "Thank you."

"I'm glad to hear that," she smiles, patting my shoulder. Either way, I really appreciate the support I get from these two.

"How did you end up being his plus one anyways?" I ask.

Tina looks at Stephanie who nods. "Well I guess you know now that he was going to ask you. Jason talked him out of it, and suggested he ask me," she rolls her eyes, "according to Lincoln, Jason said, 'she's desperate, she'll say yes for sure' asshole."

My eyes widen. "Man, you guys have a weird friendship...if you'd even call it that."

She laughs, "We met on the first day of kindergarten. He kicked over my sandcastle, I shoved him into the sandbox and made him eat sand. We both got in trouble and became friends in time-out. Our chaotic dynamic has never changed."

We all laugh.

"Isn't it bizarre how Jason the womanizer didn't bring a date?" Tina says.

"Yeah I wonder what happened," Stephanie whispers, even though they're nowhere near close enough to hear us.

I contemplate telling them that I almost was Jason's date, but I know Steph and Tina will give him hell for the mess that happened, and everything that happened between us would unfold. I don't want to complicate things. "Yeah it's weird," I mumble.

"Ray told me he's been on and off with some girl recently though," Stephanie adds, "some airhead named Anna." I feel uncomfortable but try my best not to let it show.

Tina looks slightly amused. "Jeez Steph, what's wrong with her?"

"Gold digger," she sneers, "apparently he's been buying her lots of expensive gifts to win her over, and she's leading him on slowly to get more stuff." Sounds pretty Jason-esque if I'm being honest.

"What does he even see in her?" I ask, as the bartender places my drink on the counter.

"I'm sure I can guess," Tina smirks, "she's hot isn't she?" Stephanie takes out her phone and does a quick search. She holds it up and shows us a picture of a girl in a swimsuit.

I almost choke on my drink.

It's the girl I saw in Jason's office.

And yes, she is attractive.

A large shadow suddenly appears behind us. It's Jason, and Stephanie slightly yelps, turning her phone off and shoving it into her bag so frantically she almost drops it. He gives her a confused look.

"Nothing," all three of us say at once.

He smiles with a twinkle in his eye. "You realize the guys and I can see the three of you constantly peeking at us then whispering and giggling right?"

We all turn pink. "Let's go sit," Tina says assertively, picking up her drink before Jason can say anything else.

Jason lightly holds my shoulder, stopping me while Tina and Stephanie go to the table.

He looks at me with those deep brown eyes. The dim candle lighting in the restaurant suddenly reminds me of us sitting in front of the warm flickering fire pit together on his balcony.

The first time he kissed me.

I quickly snap out of it.

He looks uncomfortable. "Are you alright? I was a bit worried about how you would feel being here after your original plans to come...didn't work out. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you came anyways."

"Yup don't worry about me," I nod and quickly pulling my shoulder out of his grasp and catch up with Steph and Tina. I pretend the feeling of his hand on my bare skin doesn't leave goosebumps.

Jason

The food is really good. It damn better be, this place was expensive. Our table is against the window, giving us a beautiful view of the city. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves as well.

I check my phone. Still no reply to my last text. Disappointing.

After finishing dessert, everyone is socializing. As president, I probably should be socializing as well, but I'm not really in the mood to talk to people at every table, so I stay put. I need a drink.

"So what are everyone's holiday plans?" Tina asks. "I already live with my family so not much is happening, my sister and brother are flying home from the states for a small dinner with my parents and me."

"I'm flying home in a couple days," Katie says, "based on all the texts and calls, my parents are really looking forward to seeing me."

"I have family visiting from out of town. My parents are hosting, which I guess means I'll be hosting too," Lincoln grumbles, "not looking forward to the drunk uncles and snooty aunts at dinner."

"My family is taking a trip to Australia," I say, "my parents want to get away from the cold here."

"Ray and I are flying to Ottawa to visit my family! I hope they like him. It'll be an awkward two weeks otherwise," Stephanie chuckles.

Ray looks at his phone. "Speaking of which, it looks like it's time for Steph and I to go. We're flying out tonight," he says, as he and Stephanie stand up.

We exchange hugs and goodbyes before they leave.

The four of us keep talking, Katie and Tina both get glasses of wine. Every once in a while people come over to talk to us. Asking Lincoln and I about club related things, and socializing with Katie.

Tina's phone rings.

"Hello?"

Her eyes go wide with panic and fear.

"What? When? OK mom...Yeah I do...alright see you soon."

"What's wrong?" Katie asks.

"My grandpa had a bad fall," she stammers, "I gotta go see him at the hospital."

"Here, let me drive you," Lincoln quickly stands up and helps her out of her seat.

She shakes her head, "No no don't let me ruin your night."

"Nonsense, you would have to take the bus right? It'll be much faster if I drive you there." He grabs his coat.

"Ok thanks a lot Lincoln," she says gratefully.

He turns to me. "Will you be alright Pres? Sorry I'm leaving any board duties to you."

"Don't worry about it. I hope your grandpa's OK Tina," I say in a kind tone that I can't remember the last time I used with her.

She gives me a sincere smile.

After they leave, I glance at our almost empty table.

And then there were two.

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