Dylan smiled and lifted the glass to toast the bartender.
Carly laughed and carried Dylan's plate off to the kitchen.
"So, how'd you meet that guy?" Bob asked from beside her.
"Dating app," Dylan answered. "He's the fourth guy I've been matched with and definitely the last."
Bob frowned. "You're giving up?"
"For now, at least," Dylan answered. "I need a break from dating after this mess."
"Aw, sweetie, you shouldn't give up on finding love," he said, patting her hand. "No one should go through life alone."
When Dylan stared at his hand on hers, he chuckled and moved it. "Don't worry," he said, lifting his left hand and flashing a wide gold band. "I've been married for nearly thirty years now to my Sally. Still think she's the prettiest girl I ever met, too."
Dylan smiled. "How'd you meet her?"
"Blind date," he answered.
They both laughed and the last bit of tension in Dylan's neck vanished.
By the time Carly returned with a pair of to-go containers in a plastic bag, Dylan had finished her glass of wine and was thoroughly enjoying her conversation with Bob.
"Where's your wife tonight?" Dylan asked as she fished her wallet out of her purse.
"Girls' night," Bob answered, winking at Carly. "Once every couple of weeks, she goes out to dinner with a few of her friends and leaves me at loose ends, so I come here and flirt with Carly."
The bartender laughed. "Only because you know I'd never take you seriously."
Dylan handed her debit card over to the bartender along with a twenty. "The cash is for you."
The woman tried to refuse but Dylan shook her head. "Take it or you'll just find it in the jar later."
Carly relented. "Well, thank you." She carried the card to the register and ran it through the machine, returning in a few moments with the slip for Dylan to sign.
"I hope y'all have a good night," Dylan said to both of them as she put her card away and gathered her things. "I appreciate you both."
"Remember what I said," Bob replied. "Don't give up on love."
"I'm not giving up," Dylan assured him. "Just taking a break."
"Don't take too long of one," he said.
"We'll see."
He shook his head and waved her off, but he was still smiling.
"Come see me sometime," Carly said.
"I will."
Dylan left the restaurant and didn't start shaking until she parked in front of her little duplex. It was small and older, but it had charm.
Such as the built-in bookshelves on two walls in the living room. Since books were her first love, they'd sealed the deal when she saw this place.
When the door was shut and locked behind Dylan, she kicked off her shoes and carried the leftovers into the kitchen.
Her hands trembled as she put them in the fridge. The shudders increased as she walked into the living room and collapsed on the couch. Tears filled her eyes but she blinked rapidly to clear them. She would not cry. That bastard didn't deserve her tears.
