Jordan returns home to Atlanta. Out of the blistering cold and back into the sweltering heat. Jordan thaws from the chill and visits his childhood best friend two days before he's supposed to report back to work.

"There he is, there's the long-lost degenerate!" Brad says when the door flies open. "Damn man, it feels like it's been ages since we kicked it!"

"Yeah, it does! How's the married life treatin' you?"

Brad waves Jordan inside before answering as the newly married glow hasn't worn off just yet. Once inside, the fellas pop open a couple of beers and relax in the living room.

"So, where's the future, Mrs. Mitchell? Had so much fun out in the snow that she still needs a day to recoup?" Brad jokes as he settles into the seat.

"Nah, she ditched me out there. I uh, I did ask her to marry me. She flat out refused and took off in the middle of the night." Jordan reveals snatching at his budding beard.

"No fucking way! Dude, that's ice-cold, hey, hey it is, Colorado, ice, and cold." Brad teases, trying to break the tension.

All Jordan can do is nod and try not to roll his eyes. He sucks down the first beer and cracks open another one in no time. Brad tries not to show concern but tries to offer some advice.

"My bad puns put aside, what else ain't you told me? Come on, we've been boys since forever, and I know there's more."

With a single breath in and out, Jordan gives the details.

"She doesn't wanna be married, or even sure she wants any little ones. I even left her a message stating we ain't gotta have kids and whatnot, but she still hasn't called, or texted, me back."

"Well, hell, words aren't going to the trick. You have to sweep this chick off her feet! Send that little brat some roses and a heartfelt card with a personalized message. I thought I taught you better than that?"

The idea rings around in Jordan's mind for a bit that something unique sounds like something Brittney would enjoy. However, he's not told Brad about her wanting and needing space to unwind. That fact has eluded him, hindered with just the thought of getting Brittney back.

"It might just work, but it has to be perfect! Mind if I bring you along to make it right?"

"Yeah! Hell yeah! The gruesome twosome is kicking it again! We'll make it so special that she can't say no ever, and I mean ever again!" Brad calls out as he leaps to his feet. "First though, we gotta hit them weights, gotta see if I'm still stronger than your scrawny ass!"

"Bring it on, ya little bitch!" Jordan blurts out as Brad's distraction finally brings a genuine smile across his face, if even for the moment.

Both men race back towards the home gym. It's a physical race that has them bumping and hitting each other onto the ground with noticeable thuds each time they hit the floor.

After an hour of Jordan putting the works to Brad, they head out to get what they hope will mend the void. They catch a late college football bowl game as they cheer for Georgia State, battling Mountain State College in the Los Angeles Bowl.

Things in Johns Creek have a different feel in the air. Brittney hasn't wasted time getting herself prepped for a girl's night out with her friend LaTisha. They're already at a day spa getting pampered for a night out on the town.

"Oh, good lord, I needed this!" Brittney calls out from her massage table.

"See! I told you that this would help get the tension out of those muscles. Ah, yeah, that's it, right there, work that tension, baby! So, tell me, what's the plan for tonight? Now that you've ditched the limp playboy, what's in store?"

Brittney doesn't answer at first since she doesn't have a plan. She's barely thought about Jordan at all since being home. All she's felt is something missing in her life, and she's determined to figure out what's missing.

"I'm not sure, I've been home for a few days, and I don't even miss him. Is that bad?"

"Girl, I wish I could tell you, but I honestly don't know. I've not found that someone that makes the butterflies flutter in my stomach."

Doubt plagues Brittney's mind. She's known for a while she could play it safe and have Jordan be the guy who loves her unconditionally. She grew up wishing for more than that when it comes to finding that special someone. She realizes that the safe card isn't enough in the back of her mind, but the pain she caused Jordan to feel leaves her in a new level of guilt. Brittney's forgiven other men in the past for doing her wrong, and all Jordan wanted is to love her.

"I ran out on a terrific guy, and I felt nowhere near for him like he feels for me."

"Sometimes, it's just not meant to be for you. You gotta break some hearts to find the one that's out there for you." LaTisha mentions as their massages come to an end, "tonight, though it's not about men; it's all about us going out and having fun at Salty Drink and be the center of attention."

After an afternoon of being pampered, the girls get ready for a wild night of drinking and dancing. They enjoy a meal at The Salty Dawg Café and, shortly after, return to get dressed for the club.

While they're busy with their errands, Brad and Jordan stroll into Starlight Roses, where Jordan is assisted with Brad's expertise at flowers.

"How about these?" Jordan wonders with his hand going for a bouquet of tulips.

"What are you taking flowers to a funeral? No, no, no!" Brad answers, nearly smacking Jordan's hand away.

Together they walk through the shop, and Brad eyes a few different sets of flowers, but what catches his eye is a set of brightly colored roses. The sight of cotton white, daffodil yellow, outrageous orange, ruby red, eye-popping purple, and Georgia peach assortment of roses stand out like a sore thumb.

"PERFECT! Get these and all hope sets with this perfect arrangement. We got the card, and all that's left is to write something inside the card. I mean, this is pure brilliance!"

"How did you get so good at this?" Jordan asks with some doubts still plaguing his mind.

"To be honest, while you were serving our country, I was out dating some of the hottest women I had ever seen. Then let's just say I got caught doing some 'no-no' things, and I learned all about heartfelt apologies." Brad reveals with the roses in his hand.

Jordan's left a bit impressed that he's still blown away at all the skills his oldest friend in the world still has for making things work on the fly.

"Glad I was born a male because you are way too good at this shit." Jordan jokes as Brad gives him a snarky look.

"Jordan, you'd make one ugly woman!" Brad jokes back, with Jordan returning a similar look.

They finish things up at the flower shop, and before long, they're back at Brad's house preparing everything.

"Okay, roses are in the fridge. That only leaves what to say in the card." Brad says to get a feel for what to suggest.

"I have it already..." Jordan begins, "Brittney, I know I've made mistakes, and we rushed at times. I know I've not been the man you want, but I am the man you deserve. The time we've spent has opened my eyes. I see the error in my ways. You are such a beautiful woman inside and out, and you deserve the world on a platinum platter. Suppose I get the promise of a second chance. I swear upon my word as a man that I will not break your trust again. I won't be the man who you feel you need to be forced to love. I will show you that I am that man of your dreams. Love, now and forever, Jordan Mitchell."

"Wow! That is so corny, but you know what, that might just work in your favor. Write that shit down, son, and make this happen!" Brad demands, handing over the card.

On the backside of things later that evening, the ladies head over to the club. Inside they head straight to the bar, where they order a couple of tequila sunrises before hitting the dancefloor. Gradually they get separated for a bit as they go and dance with random men. It's not until almost midnight that they meet at the bar again for one final round of Strawberry jello shots and hail a cab to call it a night.

"Fucking A, I am beyond messed up!" Brittney admits when she scoots across the seat.

"Oh, me too, girl! Everything is spinning like a motherfucker!" LaTisha squeals and slams the taxi door shut.

LaTisha gives the taxi driver the address of her apartment. The two of them stumble up the steps giggling as they make their way into the apartment. Brittney crashes on the couch while LaTisha barely makes it to the bedroom.

It doesn't take long for Brittney to pass out and remain that way for the longest night of her life. Images and memories flood her mind. The guilt Brittney refuses to feel tries to seep through her mind, but the selfishness that fuels her desire for more beats out the guilt as the blame dries up like the alcohol in her veins.

The following day when both women reenter the world, they're feeling the hangover in such a way that they drink only water to try to kill the cottonmouth sensation.

"Ugh, I don't think I'll ever mix jello shots and tequila ever again!" LaTisha admits holding her stomach.

"Girl, I think that made me put all the pieces together at last. Granted, I feel like a run-over dog on the side of the road." Brittney admits as she gets to her feet to hold LaTisha's long dark hair behind her to avoid chunks from landing in it.

"Thank you..." LaTisha says between heaves.

"Anytime, you're my girl. I got your back."

Once LaTisha is finished, she comes back with a joke that Brittney and her share at work.

"Here, I thought all you damn Yankees from up North were all against helping us poor southern folk."

They share a laugh as they take a seat at the table for a bit.

"I think I'll get a shower and have a taxi take me to my car," Brittney admits, slowly scooting from the chair to her feet.

"I believe I'll stay in today, last night, royally kicked my ass, but it was a night we both needed."

"Agreed, I'll be back after I tidy up."

Brittney twists and turns in the shower, trying to figure out what to do with her final days off work. The new year is about to begin, and she is focused on reinventing her life. A new side to herself that doesn't need a man wanting a serious relationship. Something she's not had the chance to experience. Once Brittney's finished up and dried off and blows dry her hair, she joins LaTisha back in the kitchen.

"Hey girl, I just had a thought; we are in our 20's and still full of life. Who says we need men to tell us what to do? I mean, I am a beautiful and hungry young black woman with a passion for art. You, you are a fiery taste of salsa who needs time to simmer in the mouth of the right man to be tamed. Jordan has always been a nice guy, but he's finally gotten a taste of his own medicine. If anyone gave it to him, I am thrilled to say it's you. That boy's toyed with more women than I know."

"That may be true, but I will give him this much. He's treated me better than any other man ever has, and that's including my ex-fiancé. I could enjoy his company, but after I left and put some distance between us, ut to be honest and blunt, I don't miss Jordan one bit. I wanted that playboy and what I got instead was a lovesick puppy wanting, no, needing to be constantly petted. You're right! Fuck being strapped down; we're young and free!" Brittney cries out with a more vital reserve to keep Jordan out of her life romantically.

Their time is cut short when Brittney calls for a taxi pickup. Her ride arrives in less than five minutes. One final embrace and the ladies leave each other to go about their business for the day with plans to meet up for New Year's Eve.

Back at her car, Brittney gets in and decides it's time for coffee at her favorite little local spot. With the key in the ignition, the engine roars to life, and the A/C is flipped on immediately. Pulling out from the parking spot, Brittney drives over to Xander's Coffee and Donuts.

Inside the coffee shop, Brittney sits at a high-top table with an ice-cold Mocha Frappuccino and a blueberry muffin. That's when a tall, slender man in a business suit walks in and catches her eye.

"Hot damn it, he's so fine!" She tells herself in her mind as she stares at the man with a defined cut hairstyle in the dark blue three-piece suit.

Out of the corner of his eye, the gentleman sees Brittney glaring at him with intensity. It's not until the barista hands over his order of a double shot of espresso with vanilla. Without saying a word, he strolls up to Brittney and drops his card on her table. All he gives her is a smirk and a wink that leaves her lightly giggling at the gesture.

She watches as he walks out to a brand-new Infiniti G-series coupe that leaves her with a new sensation. It's something she hasn't felt since her fiancé and her first met—the undeniable feeling of electricity flowing through her body. The sudden awareness of this leaves her in awe that she reminds herself that she's not ready for anything like that.

Frightened to her core, Brittney gets out of the chair to return to the counter to order a medium Mango Peach Refresher with little ice. Brittney drops a five-dollar tip and exits the shop. From there, she begins to drive home slowly. Along the way, she rolls down all the windows and blares the music.

Her freedom isn't ready to surrender to some stranger, and along the way, she considers tossing out the guy's business card. If just a wink and a smile can do that to her, she's not willing to compromise the newfound lease on life just yet.

As she drives around the city and some of the backroads, she leans out, screaming into the air. At last, the chains of being shackled to one man have been set free, and she'll be damned if she goes back to Jordan any time soon.