Rachel
Are you still in the bathroom?
Alyssa
Ugh, yes. Sorry, fell into a Snapchat hole. Be right out.
Rachel
NO. Don’t come out here.
Alyssa
In the toilet? Is the bar on fire or something?
Alyssa
That was a joke. Hello?
Rachel
Sorry, had to move out of his line of sight.
Alyssa
His? What’s going on, Rach?
Alyssa looks up from her phone to stare into the bathroom mirror.
When she looks back at her phone, her best friend has texted her again.
Rachel
Okay, I’m trying to figure out if we can sneak out the back.
Rachel
But it’s pretty empty in here. I think he’d see us…
Alyssa
Wait, is he with anyone?
Rachel
Are you sure you want to know?
Alyssa
So you’re telling me that my ex-fiancé is standing out there…
Alyssa
WITH THE GIRL HE CHEATED ON ME WITH FOR 6 MONTHS?? 😡
Rachel
Just stay there, I have a plan.
Alyssa
Ugh. I guess NYC is smaller than I thought.
Alyssa redoes her ponytail. At least her hair looks on-point.
Taking a deep breath, she texts Rachel.
Alyssa
This is stupid. We’ve been broken up for a year.
Alyssa
Why should I let him ruin my night?
Alyssa
If you’re about to chase him out of the bar with a baseball bat, I want to watch this.
Rachel
But no. I’ve got a better idea.
Alyssa
Still waiting. What’s the plan?
Rachel
Nothing bad! I recruited Grant to help.
Alyssa drops her phone into the sink.
She scrambles to catch it.
Alyssa
Grant as in our regular bartender?
Alyssa
Grant as in the ridiculously hot guy you KNOW I’ve had a crush on for months?
Alyssa
Right. Now I’m coming out of this bathroom to kill you.
Alyssa
You better not have told Grant anything!
Alyssa opens the bathroom door and strides out into the mostly empty bar.
Before she can take another step, an arm wraps around her waist.
The whisper caresses Alyssa’s ear.
Grant
Rach filled me in about the douchebag ex. Just follow my lead.
Grant wraps his hand around Alyssa’s and tugs her toward the dance floor.
Alyssa’s heart skips as she squeezes his fingertips.
Alyssa
Grant, wait, what are you—
Grant
Trust me. I’m a really good dancer.
On the far side of the bar, Rachel ducks behind the counter.
She switches the music to a slow song.
As she dances, Alyssa steals a glance at the far end of the bar.
Her ex-fiancé, Jimmy. And he’s wearing the same bland suit he always used to wear.
His hand is draped over his new girl’s shoulders.
Alyssa swallows hard, her stomach sinking.
But then Grant spins her away.
And when his soft brown eyes hold hers, her pulse quickens.
Alyssa
I’m, um…sorry Rach dragged you into her scheme.
Grant
Nonsense. I volunteered.
Grant reaches up to brush back a single strand of hair that escaped from Alyssa’s ponytail.
Grant
I know what it’s like to be hurt like that.
Grant
My last girlfriend dumped me for my best friend.
Alyssa
What? How could anyone dump you?
Alyssa’s eyes widen. She clamps her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.
But Grant laughs, his brown eyes dancing.
Grant
Funny. I had the same question about you.
Grant tilts forward, until their lips are a breath apart.
Grant
If I were with a woman like you, I’d never let her go.
Alyssa
Yeah, well…not everyone feels the same way. Clearly.
Grant
There’s no explaining bad taste.
Grant glances away, and then back at Alyssa, grinning.
Grant
Don’t look now, but someone’s finally noticed you.
Alyssa starts to turn, but Grant cups her cheek.
He keeps her gaze on him.
Alyssa instinctively licks her lips.
Alyssa
Maybe I should just get out of here.
Grant
No way. This is your neighborhood. Your bar.
Grant
And right now, I’m at your disposal. Your bartender.
Grant’s hand slides from Alyssa’s cheek to cup the back of her neck.
Alyssa’s eyes flicker to his lips. Suddenly, he’s kissing her.
Alyssa sinks into the kiss.
Her lips part, and Grant pulls her against him, hard.
Alyssa and Grant break apart, breathless and flushed.
They exchange a small smile.
Jimmy
Alyssa, I’ve been calling your name for like ten minutes.
Alyssa turns toward her ex.
Jimmy
I thought that was you. Long time no see. How have you been?
Jimmy stares blatantly at Alyssa’s body.
Behind him, his date is texting, looking bored.
Jimmy
You look great. Maybe I made a mistake calling things off last year, huh?
Alyssa clenches her fists.
Alyssa
You didn’t call things off. I did.
Alyssa
After I caught you cheating on me, remember?
Jimmy
Are you still mad about that?
Jimmy
That’s just what people do, babe.
Alyssa
No, that’s what creeps do.
Alyssa
And I’m not your babe.
Alyssa
I’m the woman you were dumb enough to let get away.
Grant rests a hand on her shoulder.
Smiling, Alyssa leans into him.
Jimmy
Whatever. This bar is dead anyway.
Jimmy
Susanne. C’mon. Next bar.
But Jimmy’s date Susanne doesn’t look up from her phone.
Still, she manages to roll her eyes at him.
Susanne
Think I’m gonna call it a night.
Jimmy
Are you kidding me? It’s barely 8 o’clock.
Susanne shoulders her purse and walks out of the bar.
The second the door swings shut, Rachel steps out from behind the bar.
Rachel
Alyssa! Oh my god, I’m so sorry!
Rachel
I didn’t think he’d actually try to talk to you. Are you okay?
But Alyssa is still grinning, leaning against Grant.
Rachel
I thought you’d be…
Rachel glances back and forth between Alyssa and Grant.
Rachel
You know what, I’m gonna use the bathroom. Back in a bit.
Alyssa steps away from Grant, turning to face him.
Alyssa
Hey, thanks for pretending to like me in front of Jimmy.
Alyssa
I feel better a lot better now that I confronted him.
Alyssa
Seeing him reminded me what a selfish jerk he is.
Alyssa
And I deserve better.
Grant closes the gap between them again.
Grant
But, Alyssa…I wasn’t pretending to like you.
Grant
And I didn’t say all of those things for his sake.
Grant
I mean, yes, I volunteered to help when Rachel told me what was up.
Grant
But I did that because of you.
Grant
Because I like you.
Alyssa’s lips part in surprise.
Grant
I’ve liked you for a long time, actually.
Grant
I just never had the guts to tell you.
Alyssa shakes her head, smiling.
Alyssa
It’s just…I’ve liked you for a long time, too.
Grant reaches out to cup her cheek once more.
Grant
Well. Maybe we have something to thank your ex for after all.
Grant leans in to kiss her again.
And Alyssa forgets all pain and heartbreak she’s gone through.
Because wrapped up in her bartender’s arms…
She can think of nothing but the taste of his lips.
