Kailyn, Carmella and Alexa went to their favorite bar. It was an alternative place where no one looked down at others for what they wore, and it wasn't the latest hit songs being played. Everyone was welcome.

"Here you go," Carmella said.

Carmella placed three shots on the table. Alexa quickly downed hers. Kailyn picked up one of the glasses and smiled at Carmella.

"You're drinking for free tonight," Carmella said.
"Why?" Kailyn asked.
"Because your husband's a dick," Carmella answered.
"Fair enough," Kailyn chuckled.

Kailyn downed the shot and felt it burn down her throat. It was a good burn. She needed this night out.

"You shouldn't call him a dick," Alexa said. "He's not man enough for that insult."

Kailyn and Carmella both burst out laughing.

"I love you guys," Kailyn said.
"We love you too," Alexa said.
"Seriously, why do you stay with him?" Carmella asked.
"He doesn't want a divorce," Kailyn said.
"But you're miserable," Carmella said.
"So what?" Kailyn shrugged.
"So what?" Carmella asked. "No, no, no, girlfriend. We don't work like that. You matter. Why don't you make good use of this open marriage he forced on you? Start having your own fun. Find a hot man tonight and fuck his brains out."

Kailyn took a look around to see if any man was worth jumping on. Despite not having any love left for Roman, and despite their marriage being open, it still somehow felt like cheating.

"I love this song!" Carmella yelled. "Let's dance!"

Carmella grabbed Kailyn's hand and dragged her out on the dancefloor. The song "Ava Adore" by Smashing Pumpkins was playing. The two women started dancing. Kailyn slowly turned around and locked eyes with a tall man with long hair. It felt like the world stood still as she stared into his blue eyes.

"We must never be apart."

The famous line from the song was all she heard in that moment. It didn't matter that the rest of the lyrics were creepy and not as romantic as one could hope for. Those words stood out as she stared at the stranger.

Suddenly he moved towards her. She completely forgot about Carmella still dancing behind her. The place was full of people but all she saw was him. He closed in on her, wrapped his arms around her, and started dancing with her.

"Yes, girlfriend, get it!" Carmella yelled.

He heard those words too and started chuckling. He leaned down so he was closer to her face.

"I gotta know your name," he said.
"Kailyn," she said.
"That's a beautiful name," he smiled. "I'm Drew. Can I offer you a drink?"
"I can pay," she said.
"I'm sure you can but I wanna buy you a drink if you'll accept it. I just wanna talk to you," he said.
"Okay, a drink," she nodded. "I would like a coke."

His smile grew even wider. He took her hand and they walked over to the bar where he ordered two glasses of coke.

"You can drink alcohol. I don't mind," she said.
"I actually don't drink. I used to be an alcoholic. Soda and water are the way forward now," he said.

It was her turn to smile. She liked that he was so open and honest about it. The bartender placed two glasses in front of them. He picked up both of them and handed her one.

"Cheers," he said.
"Cheers," she said.
"I couldn't help but notice you from the moment you entered," he said.

She blushed. She wasn't used to getting noticed. She didn't go out much.

"I'm sorry but I didn't see you," she said.
"No, you were too busy looking down at the floor," he said. "You don't enjoy going out, do you?"
"No, it's not that. I enjoy it sometimes. I just don't do it a lot anymore," she said.
"Why not?" He asked.
"I have..." She started.

She paused for a moment. She should say she had a husband but something stopped her.

"I have a busy life," she said.
"What do you do?" He asked.
"I'm a baker," she answered.
"Now I understand. You usually get up in the middle of the night to have breakfast ready for everyone," he said.
"Yes, that's right," she said.

That had been easy. Even though it was true, it wasn't why she didn't go out much anymore. Roman was the reason but Drew didn't need to know that.

"What about you? What do you do?" She asked.
"I own a catering company," he said.
"Wow, really?" She asked. "That's cool."
"I guess so," he smiled. "I love it. I'm my own boss. I get to cook which I love. It's really a dream job for me, and I get to set my own hours and be employee of the month every month."

She laughed at that comment. He continued smiling while slowly leaning down to kiss her. It felt weird kissing another man for the first time in over a decade, but it was a good kind of weird. He broke the kiss but only moved back a bit.

"Wanna get out of here?" He asked. "I don't live that far away."
"Yes," she said.

He laced his fingers in between hers and headed for the door. She turned her head to see Carmella and Alexa both were grinning and holding up their thumbs. Soon the cool air hit her. She looked up at Drew who sent a smile back down at her. He was a stranger but she didn't feel scared. She felt oddly safe with him.

They walked in silence to his house. As soon as the door closed behind them, he was over her. He kissed her and walked her backwards into the bedroom. She was so lost in his kisses and touches that she didn't realize where she was before her back hit the bed and he was on top of her. This was it. She was going to cheat on Roman even though it wasn't exactly cheating. She was allowed according to their open marriage. Drew moved his hand down and fumbled with the button on her jeans. It popped open and she snapped for her breath.

"Stop!" She said sharply.

He rolled away from her right away, sat up, and looked concerned. This was so different from Roman. Roman would not have reacted that fast, and he most certainly wouldn't have moved away. He would have pleaded his case and talked her into continuing.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I moved too fast. I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry."
"It's not that," she said.

She stood up and closed the button again.

"What is it then? Did I do something wrong?" He asked.
"I'm married," she said.

His eyes dropped to her hands but there was no ring there.

"I left the ring at home," she said. "I don't like wearing it anymore. I take it off whenever he's not home."
"I'm not a homewrecker," he said.
"Neither am I," she sighed. "We have an open marriage. I just never acted on it before. I never wanted to until I saw you."

His concerned face slowly turned into a smile. He stood up too and walked over to her.

"I'm flattered," he said. "So what do you wanna do? I have cokes in the fridge if you're thirsty. We can sit and talk or maybe watch a movie."
"I need to go," she said.
"Of course," he said.
"It's not you, Drew. I might not know you but I can already tell you're a wonderful man. I wish you all the best," she said.

Before he could say anything back, she hurried out of the room. He heard her run to the front door and open it. He ran there too to see her close the door after her. Just like that, she was gone.

He couldn't explain what had happened tonight. He had seen her and felt a pull in his heart that he had never felt before. It wasn't like him to kiss someone that fast or even invite them home within the first 30 minutes. He hadn't been able to stop himself. He had seen her, and he had wanted her more than he had ever wanted anyone before, and now she was gone.

"Married," he sighed. "She can't be fucking married, but of course she is. Just my luck."

He walked back to the bedroom and stared at the empty bed. She had been right there, and it had felt so good. Her skin felt like it was on fire when he touched her. Her lips had made him crave her even more. Her scent had been so arousing that he had lost his mind over it. He lied down on the bed and sighed again.

"Just my luck," he mumbled. "Just my fucking, stupid luck."