Half expecting to see Cayden, my heart leaped in my chest. But instead, all I saw was a petite blonde I didn't recognize.

"You are such a fucking dick," she said, looking directly at the guy who'd been talking to me. She was so loud that other people were starting to look over. The guy seemed more embarrassed to have an audience than he did about being berated. She turned her attention to me. "Was he hitting on you? You can be honest. I won't be mad at you since you're not the one in the wrong. here."

"I—" I started, looking between both of them.

She looked back at the guy. "Just get the fuck out. Don't call me anymore. I'm so sick of this." He just blinked at her, stunned and unmoving. She threw her hands up. "I said fucking go. Go home, Jacob."

The guy—Jacob—just rolled his eyes and left his drink behind as he brushed past the crowd to exit the bar. The girl walked over and finished off his drink.

"What was he about to order you?" she asked.

"Tequila lemonade."

"Perfect," she said and caught the bartender's eye. "Vodka sprite, please! And a tequila lemonade for my friend!"

"You don't have to do that—I'm here with people," I said, even though people was generous. I also had lost sight of Griffin, so there was a good chance he'd gone home with that one blonde guy he was eyeing earlier.

"No, I owe it to you. I'm sorry this is so... weird. Jacob is my boyfriend—well, honestly, ex now. He's a dumbass if he thinks I'm ever calling him again after this. I literally just caught him sexting some girl from his anthropology class and he has the audacity to come in here and start picking you up while I'm in the bathroom."

"I'm so sorry," I said.

She waved her hand. "It's fine—you didn't do anything wrong. And, hell, I didn't either. I don't deserve a person like that in my life."

"My boyfriend also cheated on me even if I never really had proof, but that has to be some consolation," I said.

"Ouch," she said. "Luckily you never actually got to catch him, although I don't know if that's much better since the unsettling feeling that leads up to finding out is probably much worse," she weighed the options with her lips pursed before speaking again, "I didn't have to go through all of that since my dumbass of an ex was doing it right in front of me when he thought I was asleep. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd just wanted to be caught the entire time. Turned out they'd hooked up a few times when he told me he was out of town visiting family."

"Men are so gross."

"Tell me about it," she said before she clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. "You attend Columbia too?" she asked and then it suddenly clicked why she was at a bar in Midtown since Columbia is over on the Upper West side, under thirty minutes away.

"No, no NYU," I said and Evie smiled in appreciation.

"Senior I assume?" she asked as her dark eyes analyzed my appearance.

I chuckled, "So I look old?"

Evie laughed, "No, not at all, it's just that you were drinking so you had to at least be a junior." she pointed out before tilting her head. "Sorry I know this is weird of me. I broke up with my ex-boyfriend in front of you before even telling you my name. I'm Evie."

"Vina."

"Pretty name."

"Same to you," I said and Evie smiled. When our drinks arrived, she handed me my tequila lemonade. "Cheers to dropping the shitty men in our lives."

"Bottoms up," I said, and we both threw our drinks back, immediately ordering another round. Evie was kind enough to insist on putting it on her tab again since it was already open. "I really appreciate this—thank you."

"You been having a hell of a week too?" she asked and I nodded.

"Yeah."

"I feel you. And it doesn't seem to be looking up," Evie said. "Although, maybe getting Jacob out of the way is a good thing. I can fuck someone tonight guilt-free and move the hell on!"

"I support you wholeheartedly."

"Is your week related to your ex at all? Or presumed ex? Hopefully ex?" Evie asked, laughing.

"Ex definitely," I said. "And no, just someone else instead."

"That is so fucked up."

"You're telling me," I said. "She just like... won't call me? I don't get it at all. I don't know what I did wrong."

Evie's jaw dropped and she put a hand on my arm. "You're gay?"

My face flushed at the realization. I'd gotten so comfortable—and so tipsy—with Evie that I'd forgotten to keep my pronouns in check. My heart pounded in my chest, and I didn't know how to respond.

"Sorry, I—it's that my friend is also out. I don't want to sound like I'm setting you two up because you're obviously dealing with your own stuff, but she might be a good person to talk to about girl issues at least."

"Uh, yeah," I said, suddenly realizing how nice it'd be to have a network. Griffin and Cayden being the only two people other than me who knew I was into women was surprisingly exhausting. Even just opening up to Evie and having it go so well made me feel infinitely better.

Evie enthusiastically pulled me in the direction of her table. I hadn't even realized she was with a group because she'd been talking for so long.

"I dumped Jacob!" she announced and her group of four friends cheered.

"Thank fucking god," one of them said. "Finally."

"You get pulled to the other side?" one asked looking at me. "We've been telling her to at least try to hook up with a woman for years."

"No, still straight. But this one isn't" Evie said, gesturing to me.

"Where'd you come from?" the first friend asked.

"Jacob was hitting on her at the bar." Evie informed them.

"Poor girl."

"Yeah," Evie said. "But I saved her and he's gone—for good this time, I swear—and as a gift, I brought fresh blood."

Her friends laughed, smiling at me. Even though the interaction was more direct than any interaction I'd had maybe ever, I felt totally at ease. It was probably the combination of alcohol and the fact that my head was still spinning from my interaction with Evie and Jacob, but I'd take it. It was nice to branch out and meet new people.

"Her name is Vina, by the way," Evie said and then she pressed a hand to my back. "Sit, sit. Please."

Her friends made space for me at the table without question, which I appreciated.

"I'm getting another round, anyone want to come with?" Evie asked and three of her friends got up.

"I'm going to the bathroom, but get me another vodka Red Bull," one of her friends said.

"You got it," Evie said walking with two of her other friends up to the bar. That left just me and one other friend, both of us sitting somewhat uncomfortably—what caught me off guard was when I easily recognized her. I was so caught up with Evie and being introduced to the group, that I didn't know Kori was sitting amongst them all. She was in a long brown crew neck and light wash ripped jeans with her short blonde hair down and unparted. I easily could recognize her familiar fresh cologne that I found familiar from the start of sitting down at the table.

Kori spoke first. "Congrats on passing the Evie test," she joked, trying to break the ice with light conversation.

"I'm honored," I said and Kori smiled, one side of her mouth quirking up.

"How'd she get you over here?"

"I was..." I trailed off deciding if I should tell her about my issues with Cayden. Clearly, she knows something is up since I admitted that I couldn't go home with her that night at the club. "I was talking to her about girl problems, and she immediately tapped into the gay thing. Apparently, she has a gay friend that I'm supposed to meet... but I'm now going to assume that's you."

"Yeah," Kori chuckled. "You found her."

I purse my lips as guilt strikes me, "Hey... I just wanted to say how sorry I am for that night at the club."

Kori shakes her head. "Don't be it seemed—or seems that you're caught up on someone," she said with a comforting smile. "Girl problems still?"

"I—" I almost started telling her a little about it—I was drunk enough to not care at that point, I was going to put Cayden's and my business out there—when we were interrupted by Evie and her friends again.

"We got shots for everyone," Evie said. Even though Evie was the one talking, it seemed like Kori and I couldn't keep our eyes off of each other.