Katie and Emi made their way into the bar.

Katie took a deep breath and Emi noted her face, giggling.

“You’ve talked to him before...He’s TOUCHED you.”

“That was different..We are MEETING him...for REAL.”

“And he is with our best friend. We should probably get used to it…” Emi reminded her.

“GOD He’s hott…” Katie whispered as they got closer.

“STOP it…” Emi held back her laughter.

“HEY!” Riley hopped off a barstool and hugged them both.

Justin smiled behind her. “Hello..”

“Hi!” Emi grinned, probably bigger than Riley had ever seen her smile. “I’m Emi..” she extended her hand and Justin took it.

“Nice to meet you...Justin.”

Emi chuckled “Um...yeah…”

Katie was staring at him. 

“Katie…” Riley called to her.

“...Is she..Are you ok…” Justin turned to Riley and then to Katie.

Katie swallowed the knot in her throat. 

“Sorry...Uh...Hi..K-Katie..” she held her hand out. 

Justin shook it. “Hi Katie…,” he smiled.

They ordered drinks, Katie eventually calming down. Riley’s friends were surprised how easy it was to talk to him, especially after a couple rounds. 

“So...Riley tells me you two trained her?”

“For what?” Katie asked, confused. 

He grinned “To work for me...a...cram session, was it?”

Emi hid her face in her hands “OH MY GOD…” she laughed. 

Katie’s eyes were wide “Uhhhh…”

“To answer your question….Yes...I still have the ‘Rehab’  jacket…” he winked at Katie. 

Katie glared at Riley, her face beet red as her embarrassment turned into a fit of giggles. 

“You. are. DEAD…”