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It was a normal day at the Stray Sheep, the place filled with single men at the bar being tended to by the boss, as Erica zipped between tables of couples and other regulars. The middle booth of the bar was always occupied by the same group, Jonny, Orlando, Vincent, and Toby. They all took their normal places and ordered their usual drinks.
The conversation started off like any typical night, as Vincent complained about feeling distant from his girlfriend Katherine, Jonny scoffed and told him to be grateful for at least having a girlfriend, while Orlando laughed and agreed with Jonny. But Toby couldn't relate to the much older men at the table. He hadn't had a girlfriend or really had many connections with women in general compared to them.
Except for one.
"Hey boys! You gonna want a refill on that, Vincent?" Erica asked, appearing at the edge of the table, holding a platter at her side, her other hand on her hip.
Vincent nodded, pushing his glass towards Erica. She placed it on the platter, glancing over the table at everyone else's drinks. "How about you, Toby?"
Toby shrugged. "I shouldn't drink that much tonight, it's been messing with my sleep schedule lately!" He nervously scratched the back of his neck.
Erica laughed to herself, smiling at Toby. "Ok. Well if you need anything, you let me know." She winked, and put her hand on Toby's shoulder as she walked back up to the bar.
As Erica left, Orlando couldn't help but laugh.
"What?! Did I say something bad?" Toby leaned forward on the table, looking around at his friends, as they chuckle. "Orlando, just tell me!"
Jonny shook his head. "For once it's not you, Toby."
"It's just," Orlando scoffed. "it's so obvious how much you both are head over heels for each other."
"Who? Me and Erica?!" Toby looked away, blushing. "Man, shut up!"
Vincent couldn’t help but laugh a little. "Listen, we've known Erica for years, and we know what she does when she likes someone."
Toby touched his red cheeks, a small smile appearing on his face. "Really? You really think so?"
"Yeah!" Orlando leaned over the table, one hand on his drink. "It's painful to watch! You should just tell her already."
Toby nodded, but spotted Erica walking over and pushed Orlando back. "Shh! She's coming!" Toby tried to whisper, but Erica arrived at their table and stared directly at Toby.
Erica set Vincent's drink down, tucking her tray under her arm. "What're you boys talking about? You're usually not this lively."
The men laughed to each other, as Toby looked down at his lap, trying not to look at Erica. He figured Orlando was right, Erica did always flirt with him, but she did that with everybody. And Erica would never want to date someone like him, he was too young, unserious, as much as Toby had fallen for her, he knew they'd never actually have something together.
Vincent took a sip from his drink. "We're just fucking around."
Erica pointed up and motioned with her hand. "Well don't get too rowdy, we don't want you scaring off our customers!"
Jonny laughed. "You say that like there's any customers to scare away..."
Erica rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just wrap it up before you're so drunk I have to scrape any of you off the tables." She threw up her hand and began to walk away, but looked down at her shoes as she passed Toby instead of her usual wink.
The men heckled Toby about Erica again, though soon all their drinks emptied, they ran out of lives on Rapunzel, and had shuffled through all the songs on the jukebox.
Vincent was the first to announce it was time for him to check out and head home. He said his goodbyes to his friends and made his way to the door. Though before he left, Erica stopped him.
“Heading out?” She asked.
“Yeah, feels like the time.” Vincent shrugged, and turned around to leave, but Erica took a step towards him.
“Hey, Vince, can I ask you something?”
Vincent shoved his hands in his pockets. Erica didn’t usually act this…well, vulnerable. “Huh? Yeah, sure, what’s up?”
“Has Toby…really never had a girlfriend? I…I overheard you guys talking and I don’t know, it’s just that-“
Vincent put his hand on her shoulder. “Erica, he likes you. Honestly we’re sick of all the flirting between you two…”
Erica sighed. “Do you really think Toby and I would work out?”
“If you love each other,” Vincent smiled, “there’s no reason you wouldn’t.”
Erica crossed her arms. “I guess.”
“Alright, I really have to get home. Thanks for the drinks, Erica. See you.” Vincent opened the door and lets it slam behind him, as Erica stood in the entryway.
There’s no way she could have a serious relationship with someone like Toby! He’s so young, and stupid, and excitable, and funny, and cute, which really was everything Erica needed in her life.
This was her chance in adulthood to feel normal, after a high school dating landscape that she felt like such a stranger in. Erica needed someone to make her happy. So why was she so afraid to have that with somebody when he was right there?
“Erica, you good?” Orlando asked.
Erica spun around to see Jonny and Orlando ready to head out. “Oh! Yeah, going home for the night?”
Jonny nodded. “Yep. Thanks as usual.”
Erica watched as the two men walked out the door, Jonny being sure to stop the door from slamming and guided it shut.
And so the bar was empty, other than Boss, who was in the back probably counting his earnings, and Toby.
Toby stood in the bathroom staring at himself in the mirror. He really wanted nothing more than to be with Erica, but he couldn’t stop his own self doubt from catching up to him. This always happens, he thought. He’d find a really attractive girl, one that he would love to date, but when his friends told him to go talk to her or ask her out, he’d freeze up. He felt so much lesser, that there was no way someone like that would like someone like him.
But he knew Erica. She wasn’t some stranger at a coffee shop, she was his friend. So why did it feel even harder to talk to her?
“Hey, Toby?” Erica knocked on the bathroom door. “We’re closing up soon…”
“Sorry!” Toby shouts back, splashing water on his face and drying his hands. “I’ll be out in a sec!”
Erica stepped back from the door, adjusting her uniform and tucking her hair behind her ears. She just wanted to talk with him. If it led to a confession, great, if it didn’t, that was ok too.
Soon, the door opened and Toby stepped out. “Oh, hi, sorry, didn’t mean to keep you here. I know you must want to go home too…” Toby sighed, tugging on his hair under his beanie.
Erica took a breath. “I actually just wanted to talk with you.”
“Huh?” Toby instinctually said, before correcting himself. “I uh…ok.”
Erica walked over to the bar and took a seat, as Toby sat across from her.
“We just never really get to talk much with everyone around at night.” Erica leaned on her hand.
“Yeah,” Toby nodded. “I like talking to you though. And texting you. Even if it is when I get a bit too drunk…”
Erica laughed. “Hey, I don’t mind. I like talking to you too. You’re one of the few people around her who I feel like,” Erica paused. “I can be myself around.”
“I’m happy to always be around, then.” Toby smiled.
Erica couldn’t help herself from smiling too. “You’re so sweet, Toby.”
Toby’s cheeks flushed pink. “T-thanks…you always flatter me too much.”
They quietly laughed a bit, before Erica focused and got to her point. “Listen, we’ve known each other for a while, and I don’t know why today of all days is day I’m saying this but…” Erica sighed. “Do you want to be my boyfriend? And start going out with me, seriously?”
Toby froze for a moment, his mouth hanging open a little. But he blinked a few times, before leaping forward and grabbing both of Erica’s hands. “Yes! Yes, of course! I’d love nothing more than to be with a woman like you! Aw, man, I can’t believe this is happening!”
Erica couldn’t help from beaming with joy.
Toby pushed himself off of the bar stool and threw his arms up. “I’m dating Erica Anderson! Erica Anderson is my girlfriend!!” He yelled, waving his arms.
“Oh, quiet down!” Erica pulled him closer to her, shaking her head.
“I’m so happy you asked me, Erica. It’s insane you’re my first girlfriend!” Toby laughed.
“Well, it’s an honor.” Erica winked, before kissing Toby in the middle of the bar, under hazy warm lights, faint jazz music still playing from the jukebox, and the smell of alcohol in the air.
But all Erica or Toby could think about was each other.