you’re dying to have a fun night without every second being consumed by thoughts of sam, how much you love him, and how much you’re sure he doesn’t love you back, so you turn to flirting with the nearest handsome single man.

it’s been at least twenty minutes since the guy, james, excused himself to the bathroom with the promise that he’d be right back. you know he’s not coming back, but you stay rooted to your seat anyway. he said he'd dance with you, when you asked. you really had wanted to dance.

it takes a few more minutes before sam appears, taking the previous man’s spot by your side. he takes in the look on your face and the empty shot glass that you fiddle with, and he immediately knows that you’re much more upset by this than you normally would be. usually, you'd brush it off. today, you’re still alone and at least an extra shot or two in since the guy left, likely making you more tipsy than you intended to be.

“you okay?” he finally asks. “he didn’t deserve you, you know. you deserve a whole lot better than that ass.” i’d be so good to them, he thinks. it had sucked to see you walk away with that man. it was worse to see you get stood up like that.