Rey noticed him when she walked into the bar. He was handsome in an unconventional way, his strong features softened by his long hair. She was attracted to him, but that's not what drew her attention. He looked as rough as she felt, sitting alone at the bar, nursing a whiskey.

Rey sat next to him. "Two of whatever he's having," she said to the bartender. She put her coat on the empty barstool next to her.

The man looked at her. "I went for the cheap stuff," he warned.

Rey huffed. "A thank you would be nice." Maybe sitting with him had been a mistake, but she didn't want to drink alone.

"Sorry." The man rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm Ben."

At least he sounded sincere. "Rey."

The bartender came back with their drinks. They clinked their glasses, and she took a sip, relishing the burn. It was nice to feel something.

Ben put down his glass. "What brings you here on Christmas Eve?"

She tightened her grip on her glass. "I could ask you the same question."

"And I'll answer," Ben said, pointing at her, "but you first."

"My friends are out of town." They were all coupled up and visiting family. She tried to be happy for them, but it was hard when it meant that she was alone for Christmas for the first time in years.

Ben drank some more whiskey. "And your family?"

His question brought forward that old pain, the one that never healed. "Don't have one."

Ben winced. "Sorry."

Rey shrugged. "It is what it is." She had another sip, telling herself that it was the drink that made her eyes water. "Your turn."

"No friends," Ben said, sounding sheepish, "and I'm estranged from my family."

She wondered what that was like—to have a family but be separated from them—and she tried not to be angry at him for not appreciating how lucky he was to have a family. She didn't know the circumstances of their estrangement. "At least you can reconcile with them." She failed at hiding her bitterness.

Ben looked down at his drink. "It's too late for that."

Rey put her hand on his arm, and he looked up at her. "Do you want to?"

He nodded.

"Then it's not too late," Rey said softly.

They finished their drinks in comfortable silence.

"Another round?" Ben asked.

Rey shook her head and saw his face fall. "Do you want to get out of here?" she asked.

Ben's eyes widened. "Yes," he said, a slight smile on his face for the first time.

She liked his smile.

"Come over to my place," Rey said. "I don't want to be alone tonight."

Ben covered her hand with his. "You're not alone," he said in a low voice.

Rey believed him. Somehow this man she had just met understood her in a way her friends didn't. His loneliness found its match in hers. "Neither are you."

They settled their bills, and Ben held out her coat for her. She thanked him as she put it on.

Ben followed her outside. It was snowing, which made the slightly sketchy alley appear somewhat romantic.

This wasn't about romance though. It was about companionship.

"I'm just down the street," Rey explained, taking Ben's hand. There was a spark of electricity at the touch. His hand was warm against hers, warm enough that she didn't mind not wearing gloves.

Maybe with him she wouldn't mind romance.