They ate the rest of their meal in relative silence. When she was finished she excused herself and left to use the washroom.

When she returned, he was not there. His coat was still over his chair so she assumed that he had also gone to the washroom.

.

Kevin came to clear the table.

"All was good?"

.

"It was delicious. Thank you Kevin."

.

"Can I get you another drink. It will soon be last call."

.

"Really?" Her voice was sad.

She looked at her watch. It was nearly midnight.

.

"We close at midnight, but we allow people enough time to finish their drinks. You have until about one."

.

She looked around. The lounge was only about half full.


"I didn't realize the time."

.

"Really flies when you are having fun."

.

She smiled. She had to agree.

.

"So. Another drink?"

.

"Sure, Kevin. Two more beer, but put it on my tab."

.

He laughed.

"You don't have a tab. Mr. Richards took care of it."

He walked away.

.

A moment later Dylan returned to the table.

"You want one more for the road?"

.

"I already ordered."

.

He nodded, as he sat down.

"Food was good."

.

She nodded and gave a half hearted smile.

.

"Whats wrong?"

.

Kevin returned with the beer. She looked out the window again.

.

"Now I know something is wrong."

She continued to stare out the window.

"Vickie?"

.

She slowly turned back.

"It just isn't fair."

.

"What isn't?"

.

She paused choosing her words.

"I finally meet someone who I can be myself around and all I am going to have is this."

.

He knew exactly what she meant.

"Isn't this what you wanted, just someone to talk to?"

.

"No ... I mean, yes, but ..."

.

"But what, Vickie?"

.

"You don't feel it?"

She stared at him with pleading eyes.

"Don't tell me you didn't feel anything."

.

He knew what she meant.

"It doesn't matter."

.

"Why doesn't it?"

.

"Vickie, most people don't even get this. We have this wonderful memory that will stay with us."

.

She sat back in her chair.

"Fuck the memory. What if I want more?"

.

He shrugged.

"There is no more. Like Bob Seger sang, 'We've got Tonight'."

.

"Oh fuck Bob Seger."

She gulped her beer and coughed.

He passed her a paper napkin. She took a few minutes to catch her breath.

.

"You want some water?"

.

She shook her head.

.

He waited until she spoke again.

.

"You feel nothing?"

.

"No, I won't say that, but what does it matter. Why can't you accept tonight for what it is?"

.

"Maybe I don't fucking want to."

She looked out the window again and continued speaking, "I have a bad habit of dating jerks and choosing the worst assholes to try to talk to."

.

"Sorry."

.

She turned to him.

"I don't mean you. That's the fucking problem. You are wonderful. There is no bullshit, no hidden agenda. You sit there with your emotions on your sleeve and you don't care.

Now its closing time and you are going to walk out that door and out of my life."

.

She got up from the table, tears building in her eyes and headed for the washroom.

.

He sat silently for a few moments, but then got up and put his coat on. He walked to the bar and passed Kevin his credit card.

He was signing it when she came back in.

.

"You're leaving?"

.

"I felt it best."

.

"So this is it. You are really not going to ask me to your room for a nightcap?"

.

His look said it all.

.

She walked back to the table and sat down.

.

He walked over to the table.

"Thank you for a wonderful night, Vickie."

.

She was about to snap at him, but she changed her mind. She looked up at him

"Goodnight Dylan."

.

He smiled and turned.

.

"You are making a mistake," she called out behind him.

.

He never turned.

"Maybe."

He left the lounge.

.

She sat there for a moment, but then jumped up and ran out of the lounge.

He was just getting into the elevator.

"Dylan."

.

He held the doors to the elevator.

.

She looked at him.

"I know you aren't going to invite me up, but maybe we can have breakfast in the morning."

.

He smiled.

"I would like that."

.

"Then its a date?"

.

He nodded.

"Its a date. Night Vickie."

.

"Night Dylan."

.

The doors closed.