Oh don't you dare look back

Just keep your eyes on me

I said you're holding back

She said shut up and dance with me.

-Walk the Moon, "Shut Up and Dance"

Tallahassee, Florida

Rachel

"Jess!" I exclaimed, running down the hall to what was now her room.

"What's up?" she asked, turning around to look at me, her red hair sweeping over her shoulder.

"Miles just texted! Look!" I thrust my phone at her and she took it from me.

"Oh my gosh" she said, a little snort escaping her throat. "His hair!"

I laughed. "I know... he hates it, I can tell, but I reminded him that literally no one else is hotter in my eyes," I said, shrugging.

"Uniform is sexy though," she said, winking.

"Hey!" Parker called from the bathroom. "I'm literally right here."

"Love you!" she called over her shoulder, and he laughed.

"Y'all are cute," I said, smiling. I meant it; I was really glad Miles and I had introduced them so long ago.

"Yeah, I think I'll keep him," she stage-whispered.

"I heard that!" he called back.

I laughed and winked as I went back down the hall to my room.

As I heard Jessica and Parker goofing around, I grinned to myself. I was really, really glad I had asked her to move in. I honestly couldn't imagine being in this apartment alone right now.

My phone rang and I looked it immediately, my face falling a bit when it wasn't Miles, but my mom.

"Hey Mom," I said cheerily.

"Rachel! How are you, baby?" she asked, and I could hear the concern lacing her voice.

"I'm okay, Mom. I promise. Jessica and Parker are here, and I just got a text and picture from Miles. He made it to boot camp and even got his buzz cut," I told her.

"Oh my, Miles without that gorgeous hair... that just ain't right," she joked.

"Right?"

"Well, honey, I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay. I know this hasn't been easy."

I bit my lip. "It hasn't, but I appreciate you being here for me. I love you, Mom," I said, trying to keep the emotion from my voice.

"I love you too."

"Tell Daddy and Jack hi and I love them," I said.

"Of course. Call me whenever you need me."

"I will."

We disconnected the call, and I sat down on the couch, propping my feet on the coffee table.

Pretty soon, my phone dinged with a text message. It was Brittany Flynn, a girl who had been in all my school psych classes. We would be starting the counseling program together in three weeks.

Hey Rachel! It's Brittany from the counseling program.

Hey Brittany! How are you?

Good. I need you to do something for me.

Oh lord... what?

Come with me to the mixer at the student union!

A mixer? Oh, Britt. I didn't do those in undergrad and I'm not gonna do them now, lol

No no no lol. Not that kind of mixer. It's a counseling program mixer. They want us all to get to know each other before school starts. All the profs will be there. Did you not get the email?

Oh yeah, school email was a thing that existed. I'd been so consumed with Miles leaving that I had forgotten.

I guess I kinda forgot to check my email...

WHAT?! Rachel Cross, Ms. Summa Cum Laude Perfect 4.0 hasn't checked her email?

Ha. Ha. Ha. You should try out for a comedy troupe. I've been a little busy.

I'm teasing. But will you come? It's for school, after all!

I sighed. The last thing I wanted to do was go to a party tonight, but it was for the counseling program. And I did want to meet the professors before classes started.

All right, all right. What time does it start?

YES! 7:30. I'll be by to get you at 7:00. Still in the same apartment?

Yeah, see you then. Wait, what's the dress code?

Cocktail dress – look cute, baby!

Great.

Miles would want me to go out and do things – right? We had this discussion before he left, and he made it clear he wants me to live my life.

I stood up and went to my bedroom to get ready. I picked out a simple purple cocktail dress that was short, but not too short, with a tulle bottom that gave more of a cute look than a sexy look. I looked at the Louboutins in the bottom of my closet and decided against those too. I didn't want to look like I was trying to impress anyone... because that definitely wasn't the case. I slid my feet into some black ballet flats and touched up my hair and makeup.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror and took a selfie, sending it to Miles with this message:

Hey handsome. I know you may not be able to text back, but I just wanted to tell you I'm going to a mixer tonight for the counseling program... Brittany invited me, so I decided to suck it up and get out of the apartment. I wish you could go with me. I love you so much. I hope your first day at boot camp is going well. xoxo

It wasn't until I was out the door and in the car with Brittany that Miles responded.

Damnit, baby, I wish I was there too. have fun tonight and make sure someone trustworthy drives you home. I love you so much, Rachel Mae.

I cursed myself for being so emotional as a tear slid down my cheek.

I love you more.

For once, he didn't argue. I suspect it was because his drill sergeant made him put his phone away.

***

When we stepped into Ballroom A on the top floor of the student union, I was immediately glad I came. I saw many of my classmates and professors from undergrad, plus some new faces. I definitely would've felt like I was out of the loop if I hadn't been here.

"Thanks for making me come out, Britt," I whispered, leaning in toward her.

"Of course," she said, shooting me a dazzling smile. "Now go mingle."

And mingle I did. I met three of my new professors, several transfer students, and the head of the School Counseling department. I was getting myself some punch when Brittany came up to me with a group of people, two I've seen before, and one I hadn't.

"Rachel, I want to introduce you to some people," she said, pulling me over to them.

"Okay," I said, taking a sip of punch.

"You might remember Helen Harris and Tyler Edwards from Abnormal Psych," she said, and I nodded at them and smiled. She turned to the guy that stood to my right. "And this is Alexander Langley, a transfer student from University of Denver."

He stuck his hand out, and I shook it. "Please, call me Alex," he said warmly.

"Hi Alex, I'm Rachel. It's nice to meet you. It's nice to meet all of you. Thanks for introducing me to your friends, Brittany," he said, and she flushed.

"No problem. You're a long way from home," she said.

"Yeah, what brought you all the way to Tallahassee?" Helen asked.

"I needed a change," he said, shrugging. "And since I want to be a counselor, I had a pretty wide option of places to choose from since there are good programs everywhere. Florida State gave me the most scholarship money, so I took the plunge," he said.

"Wow. Well, the weather is quite different here, eh?" Tyler noted.

"Definitely. I need to go shopping for a whole new wardrobe, actually," Alex joked.

Tyler looked around and grinned. "This party is starting to shut down... and there was definitely not enough alcohol," he whispered.

Helen rolled her eyes. "Tyler, there wasn't any alcohol."

"My point exactly!" he responded, and by the way they teased each other, I could tell they were on the verge of being more than friends.

Brittany looked around and raised her eyebrows. "Let's go to the club," she said, and everyone, including Alex, hooted in agreement.

I shook my head. "Noooo. I don't do the club," I protested.

"Aww," they all chorused.

"Come on, Rach. It's Alex's first week in town," Brittany wheedled.

"Yeah, come on," Helen and Tyler echoed.

I suddenly felt like I was back in high school with Brooke convincing us to go to freaking Club La Vela.

Alex raised his eyebrows and shrugged. "I mean, you don't have to..." he said, shrugging.

I rolled my eyes. "Fiiiiiine," I relented, and they all cheered.

"Come on, let's blow this pop stand," Tyler said, and with that, we said our goodbyes and headed to the parking lot.

"Rachel," Brittany hissed in my ear as we walked behind the other three to Tyler's Yukon.

"What?" I whispered.

"Is Alex not hot AF?!" she asked as she hooked her arm through mine.

I snorted. "I mean, I guess?" I said reluctantly.

I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I think even Miles would appreciate Alex's physical traits. I could definitely see why Brittany was fawning over him. He was around Miles' height, maybe an inch or two taller, messy light brown hair and dark eyes.

"I'm about to go for it," she murmured.

I laughed. "Whoa, killer. At least wait until we get to the club," I advised.

She nodded. "Yep. Good idea. Get a few drinks in us," she said, and I shook my head.

"That's not exactly what I – "

"Shotgun!" Helen yelled as we got to the Yukon.

Brittany glanced at me and winked. "Slide in, Rachel," she said, and I did, surprised when Alex slid into the middle, Brittany behind the front passenger seat.

It was quite, er, cozy back there.

I scooted as far to the window as possible as Tyler sped off campus and toward downtown.

***

Ten minutes later, we pulled into a parking spot at Recess, a club with a rooftop bar and dance floor.

"So, this is downtown Tallahassee," Brittany was rattling to Alex, pulling ahead of the rest of us.

Helen looked at Tyler and I and laughed. "Someone's got a crush," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Ya think? She couldn't be any more obvious," I agreed. "Oh well, this should be interesting," I commented.

We showed the bouncer our IDs and soon enough, we were on the rooftop with drinks in hand. I kept checking my phone for texts from Miles as I sipped my drink.

"Hey, put that up!" Brittany said from behind me as she tried to take my phone out of my hand.

"Stop!" I yelped, holding the phone out of her reach. "I'm waiting to hear from Miles."

She huffed. "Come on! Be in the moment, Rachel!"

I rolled my eyes. Brittany was too much sometimes. Where's Jessica when I need her?

"Come dance with us," she whined, and I sighed in defeat.

"Fine," I said, stealing one more glance at my phone before sliding it in my tiny purse.

"Yas!" she cried, pulling me out to dance just as my jam hit the speakers.

Ladies leave your man at home

The club is full of ballers and their pockets full grown

All you fellas leave your girl with her friends

Cuz it's 11:30 and the club is jumpin, jumpin

I tossed back the Jack and Coke and let Brittany drag me onto the dance floor while I sang at the top of my lungs.

***

Three hours and seven drinks later, everyone except Tyler, the unlucky designated driver, was drunker than shit... including me.

"I'll be right back!" I screamed over the music. "I have to pee!"

"Want me to come with?" Helen asked.

"No, I'm okay," I said with what I knew had to be a lopsided grin.

"All right," she yelled back, pulling Tyler against her.

I laughed and shoved my way to the bathroom. I waited in line, did my business, and checked my phone.

Nothing.

But it was his first night. He was probably not allowed to have his phone. "Don't get upset, Rachel," I muttered to myself as I washed my hands and left the bathroom.

When I rounded the corner, I felt a hand on my ass. I jumped and turned around, expecting to see Brittany.

"Wha – " I started, but when I saw a complete stranger, I bristled.

"Can I help you?" I asked, stepping away.

"Yeah, I think you can, baby," he slurred. "I have a really good idea of what you can help me do."

I wrinkled my nose. "Ugh. Get away from me, creep," I said, turning to leave, but he grabbed my wrist.

"What, am I not good enough for you?" he asked, his watery eyes flashing.

I opened my mouth to answer, an expletive on the tip of my tongue, when I felt an arm drape over my shoulders.

"Hey sweetie, is this asshole bothering you?"

Alex.

I swallowed in relief and played along. "Yeah, babe, he put his hands on me, and I gotta say I'm pretty disgusted."

The offending douchebag was at least half a foot shorter than Alex, and he shrank back. "Sorry, didn't mean to impose on your girl," he mumbled, and before Alex could say anything else, he slithered away into the crowd.

I let my breath out in a whoosh. "Shit, Alex. Thanks," I said, putting my hand over my collarbone. "What a dickhead."

"No problem. Glad to be of service," he said. "Wanna go back to the dance floor?" he asked.

"Sure," I responded, and only then did I realize his arm was still around me. I awkwardly slid out from under him and smiled. "Thanks again, Alex. If Miles had been here, that probably wouldn't have happened."

"Miles?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said, holding up my left hand and wiggling my ring finger. "My fiancé."

"Oh, you're engaged?" he asked, his voice taking on a slightly strangled tone.

"Yeah. He's in Missouri at boot camp... he just joined the Army Corps of Engineers," I explained, my heart constricting once again at the thought of him being 900 miles away.

"Holy shit. That's really cool," he said. "I mean, not cool that he's gone, cool that he's serving our country, ya know?" he said quickly.

I smiled. "I knew what you meant. And trust me, he'd thank you for saving me back there. He's just a little bit protective."

"Well, I can't say I blame him," he murmured, and just then, Brittany and the rest of the gang showed up next to us.

"What's up, bitches!?" Brittany screeched, pulling Alex onto the dance floor. He looked back at the rest of us with pleading eyes.

But we just laughed and kept on dancing.