She sat perched on a stool, thankful that even a small town like Tree Hill had more than one bar. She couldn't take going to Tric and possibly seeing her former fiancé and his new wife there.

"Fancy meeting you here." Said an amused voice from behind her.

She turned around, prepared to shut down yet another guy with too much swagger for his own good. But who she saw brought a smile to her face. She cocked her head, "Aren't you a bartender? Shouldn't you be serving the drinks?"

"And shouldn't you be on the plane right now? I thought you were skipping town now that the wedding was over."

"Unfortunately I still happen to be Lucas' editor. And I still have to go over his latest chapter."

He nodded knowingly, "Ah. Hence the change of scenery."

"Yeah. I just couldn't…" she trailed off.

"I know what you mean." He paused for a moment, then asked "Do you mind if I join you? Or is this more of a solo pity party?"

She raised an eyebrow, "Keep teasing me, and see what happens."

He laughed and took that as her consent. He lowered himself onto the stool next to hers. After he had signaled for another round for the both of them, she felt the need to justify herself. "I normally don't drink this much you know."

"No, I get it." He handed her a shot glass and raised it, "To numbing the pain."

"Down the hatch." She tapped her glass against his and tipped her head back. "Wow, that was strong." She said with a shake of her head.

He grinned at her. "So how are you holding up? Seriously."

"I'm…doing alright."

"Yeah, that's how you ended up at this dive having drinks with me. Lindsay, come on. We're in the same boat here."

"Hey, I didn't exactly plan on you showing up. But…you're right. It sucks. And because of my job, I have to see him on a fairly regular basis."

"Why don't you just have him change editors?"

"Because…some perverse part of my mind wants to hang on to any part of him I can. And because he is a really good writer, and I get to be a part of that."

"You shouldn't torture yourself like that you know."

They were quiet for a minute, then she turned to him. "How's the whole Brooke thing?"

He let out a short laugh. "I don't know. I think I could have loved her, you know? But we just didn't work together. I don't hold it against her. True love and all."

"Owen…you are a good guy. And you're going to make some girl very happy someday."

He looked at her for a moment, then stood up and held out his hand. "Come on."

"What are you doing?"

"Just come with me."

She hesitantly put her hand in his and he whisked her out the door. Once they were outside, she tugged him to a stop. "Wait, where are you taking me?"

"I happen to know that the newlyweds are over at Tric right now."

"How do you know that?"

"Linds, I work there, remember?"

"Oh, right." She sighed. "I can't believe I'm doing this again."

"Oh come on, it's not like I'm torturing you. I happen to be a good dancer, if you recall."

She chuckled, "I do recall."

"See, we can have fun together."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's get over there and show them just how much fun."