It was a cold night at the beginning of December 2013 when the office gang decided to venture into another New York club. Even Beverly asked to come along, which was a little strange, but it seemed cruel to not invite her. They all agreed to meet up there, so it didn't actually make sense that Mindy took a cab to pick up Danny at his place, but regardless of logic, they had made those arrangements anyway. It was too cold, so she decided to call up and wait in the cab for Danny to come down.

Mindy was wearing her favorite jeans; the ones that made her butt look good. She debated bringing a coat for over her silver halter top, but it would've totally clashed and her shirt gave her tasteful cleavage. Meanwhile, Danny wore a pale blue button-up with dark-wash jeans and a tan suede jacket.

"Hey," he announced as he slid into the backseat. "You look nice."

"Thanks! I like your shirt. It's totally the one I sent you a link for isn't it?"

Danny sighed. He hoped she wouldn't notice, but who was he kidding? It's Mindy; of course she would notice. "Yea, well I needed a new shirt and you made it easy. I just had to click and order."

"Mm hmm, OK, I believe you. It's not that I picked an awesome shirt that makes you look like such a hottie. It's just that it was so convenient."

Danny winked at her. "Nice to know I'm looking hot tonight."

"Yea, well let's not let your head get too big. We do have to fit it through the cab door in a few minutes."

When they did arrive at the club, Danny insisted on paying for the cab, even though he had spent far less time in there than Mindy. She attempted to protest but really just for show because she had learned months ago that Danny could be ridiculously stubborn. They met Morgan, Betsy, and Jeremy at the entrance to the club. Beverly was there too but had managed to find herself a seat at the bar and did not seem to be giving it up anytime soon.

A few hours into the night, Mindy was feeling a bit frustrated about how the night had gone so far. She had definitely enjoyed dancing with Betsy and the guys, but she was surprised that not a single guy had approached her. Sure, she was still focusing on herself and taking a break from the dating scene, but it would've been a nice confidence boost to have gotten a little attention. At the moment, Jeremy was playing wing-man to Morgan in his attempts to talk to a girl, while Danny had went for their next round of drinks. Mindy took the opportunity to grab Betsy for a little girl talk. She liked Betsy, but it was a hard relationship to navigate. Betsy clearly considered them to be friends but she was also an employee and they didn't have a whole lot in common.

"Betsy, do I look terrible tonight?'

"Not at all, Dr. L. You look great! Why would you ask such a thing?"

"I was feeling pretty confident tonight, but no guys have come up to me or even looked my way."

Betsy looked away, clearly thinking something but not wanting to share it.

"Betsy…"

"It's nothing. It's not my business."

"What's going on?"

"Well, I guess I've been wondering…are you like involved in some way with Dr. Castellano?'

"No! Why would you say that?"

"Well, it's just that I've seen a few guys looking at you tonight, but when they get close, he kind of glares at them. So, I guess I was thinking maybe he was jealous or something if you two were together, but you're not, so it's a ridiculous thought. I'm sorry for even bringing it up."

"It's OK, Betsy." Mindy couldn't let it sit though. She needed to know more about what Betsy has observed. "So, you think Danny is scaring guys away…like, with his face?"

"I don't even think he realizes that he's doing it though! Please don't be angry with him. I don't want to create any trouble."

"Don't worry, Betsy, I won't say anything."

Danny returned to them and as he approached to hand a drink to each woman, he stood just an inch closer to Mindy than what felt like a normal distance between friends. She felt a little tense at his proximity to her. Betsy's comments had shaken her a little bit. She and Danny had gotten closer in recent months, but they were just friends. It suddenly hit her…she could understand how Betsy might be misinterpreting Danny's actions. He was probably just being protective and keeping asshole guys away since he knew she was trying to take a break from the dating scene. After this rationalization, she felt less uneasy. Nothing was changed or different. It was just a mistaken observation on the part of Betsy. Rinse and repeat the phrase in her own brain a few times and things could return to normal in her mind.

Mindy decided to just not care who approached her tonight, and focused on enjoying her time with friends. They danced late into the evening. Danny was seriously sweaty, but it wasn't as gross to her as she expected it would be. They were all feeling a bit tipsy and Danny tended to be a bit looser when he had a few drinks. They had mostly been dancing as a group until Betsy went to the restroom and Jeremy insisted on walking her there. Morgan had already managed to get a girl to dance with him.

Danny and Mindy could have left the dance floor, but decided in some sort of unspoken agreement to dance together. It obviously wasn't the first time they had danced, but the darkness of the club and the alcohol in their veins made the situation feel different. They stood at a modest distance apart, but Danny's hands found his way to Mindy's hips as they swayed. Her hands fell naturally onto his arms and she hated herself for immediately complimenting his arm muscles. He laughed and his fingers dug into her hips a little as he chuckled. She chalked up the shiver in her spine to the effects of alcohol.

"You're a little drunk, aren't you, Dr. Lahiri?"

"No! I'm just being funner."

"Funner is not a word."

"Don't be annoying, Drunky McDrunkerson."

"Hey, I'm Italian, not Irish."

Mindy poked at his nose with her finger. "You are whatever I say you are!"

"Sure, babe, whatever." Neither one of them seemed to notice the term of endearment that slipped out of his mouth.

By then, Jeremy and Betsy had returned. They could all tell that Betsy was feeling a bit tired as this wasn't exactly her usual scene. They all decided to walk four blocks to a local 24 hour diner to eat and sober up a bit before heading home. Of course, Mindy was absolutely freezing the second they left the club. All the alcohol in the world running through her veins would not be enough to warm her.

Danny noticed Mindy shivering almost immediately and without bothering to offer, he slipped off his suede jacket and slung it over her shoulder.

"Why on earth didn't you bring a coat?'

"It didn't match the outfit. Won't you be cold?"

"Nah, I'm fine. I have long-sleeves. I don't suffer for my fashion."

"Well, thanks, this is much better. You keep making my life better recently, Danny."

Danny abruptly stopped walking and Mindy turned back to face him. He grasped her wrist with his thumb and forefinger to pull her back towards him. She faltered in her footing and he steadied her before he lightly grasped the lapels of his jacket still wrapped around her. In her drunken state, even this light touch pulled her a bit closer into his personal space. Their eyes connected and he could see the confusion there in her eyes.

"Me too, Mindy. You know that, right?"

She paused briefly, not because she didn't have an answer but because it was just one of those moments where you take a deep breath first. "Yea, Danny, I know it."