Piz had been super straightforward about liking her and wanting to go on a second date. They basically picked a time and place at the end of their first date.
She sent off her location on her phone for the rest of the night to Dawn, as a safety precaution. Dawn answered that she was in the bar across the street, and maybe she should stop by to say hello. She laughed and said feel free.
The hipster bar was not where she remembered it, but then she hadn't driven there all those years ago. She only vaguely remembered the bar as she walked in. Piz was already there, with a water waiting for her. She was 5 minutes early. She sort of adored that he was punctual and wanting to make plans so far in advance. He also earned points when he let her buy him a beer, since she got it last time.
They each had a drink and sat in the hot bar for a few minutes before Dawn "surprise" showed up. They both used their acting degrees to their benefit and made it seem like it was a crazy random happenstance. Piz became a little uncomfortable, and suggested they visit a different bar for a drink she had expressed interest in. After awhile she still wasn't done with her drink, so she suggested that they go outside where it was bound to be a little cooler. She felt the breeze on the back of her neck and breathed a sigh of relief. The heat had started to make her nauseous and she wasn't sure how much longer she could hang out.
In the breeze they talked about families, and there was a beautiful ease to their conversations. He confided that he had stopped smoking since the last date, as his friend's mom was dying of lung cancer, and he realized how terrible it was to start up again after the last time he quit. She did quietly wonder if it was also because she had called it gross last time they met. The conversation was still in getting to know territory, so it was polite, and yet to reach an excitement level. But he was nice, cute, and sweet.
Dawn drunkenly stumbled out to the patio and sat down, admitting she wasn't okay to drive. She suggested a different bar down the street where her friends were, and she would leave them alone.
The place ended up being a brewery that served her a beer that she actually liked. They had more conversations, and Dawn went back and forth between the two groups of people that were there. While she was away, the subject of their divorces came up again.
"Sometimes I worry about us...like we are just too damaged to really move on right now. To develop new relationships." She said boldly to him. She waited for a bad response, or a defiant one at least. She got neither.
"Yeah...I honestly don't know what I want, what I'm doing in regards to dating, or love." He said. They looked at each other with understanding, and she felt that maybe they would end up just being good friends.
But then he offered to take her and Dawn to a 90's concert the next month, and talked about a bunch of different things he'd like to do with her alone.
Dawn finally sobered up enough to go home, and they walked back to their respective cars. Piz walked her part way to her own across the street, and they exchanged a longer hug than the first time. Piz awkwardly kissed her on the cheek, then looked at her as if asking permission for more. She didn't really process in time, and ended up just smiling at him. He said they should grab food next time, and she agreed.
