"We should do shots," Jordan shouts over the music.

"Stop, that's a terrible idea." I shake my head.

"It's an amazing idea." Talia grins as she bobs to the music.

"Ellie, come on, we're out and having fun. Don't kill the vibe." Jordan pouts, but those brown puppy dog eyes don't work on me, never have.

"You two can have shots, but I'm not nineteen anymore and I have a three-year-old child to look after tomorrow. Unless you two will be up for babysitting?"

Jordan's eyes go wide and she quickly shakes her head. She's afraid of children and the responsibility of having to look after someone other than herself.

"I think that's the perfect reason for having a shot. You're always too busy to come out and it's my birthday, so we should be celebrating both things." She smirks.

"Fine, but only because it's your birthday."

Talia squeals and throws her hands in the air to celebrate. She links her arms through mine and Jordan's and leads us to the bar before I can back out of it. She leans over the wooden bar top and shouts something to the bartender.

The bartender lines the shot glasses up and pours a clear liquid into them.

"Six glasses? Why are there six glasses?" I gasp.

"There's two each because we're celebrating my birthday and the fact you're here with us."

I regret complaining now! Tomorrow's going to be rough with Noah running around the house making noise.

We clink glasses and I down the two shots and some of Talia's vodka orange juice to remove the tangy taste from my mouth.

Talia dances over to a free space near the speaker and swirls her blonde hair around. We're at a bar with no dancefloor but with Talia, she could make anywhere a dancefloor because she's truly the life of the party.

She raises her hands above her head and swivels her hips as she crouches down. Jordan joins Talia and smacks her butt, which makes them both giggle.

"Ellie," Talia holds her hand out and I take it. She pulls me against her body before dropping low and running her hands over my body.

"There's somebody checking you out." Talia waggles her eyebrows. I wrap my arms around her neck and chuckle.

"I'm sure they're checking you out with all your cool dance moves."

"They're coming this way." She grins.

Talia fluffs her curly blonde hair and continues dancing. I awkwardly bob to the music because I don't know what else to do.

"Hey there," somebody shouts.

"Hi, I'm Talia, this is Jordan and Ellie." She hooks her arm around my waist and spins me around to face him. Our eyes meet and I drink in his appearance.

Blonde wavy hair which sweeps over his forehead, stunning bright blue eyes and slight stubble.

"I'm Daniel. It's nice to meet you."

Our gaze remains locked until Talia squeezes my arm and whispers, "See, I told you he was checking you out."

"I'm thirsty, are you thirsty?" Jordan asks.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"Um." I bite my lip.

"She would love that." Jordan and Talia nudge me towards Daniel, which makes him laugh.

We walk to the bar and I nervously peer over my shoulder and spot them, giving me the thumbs up. I bet they're enjoying watching me squirm.

"I'm sorry about my friends," I apologise.

"Don't worry about it. What's your drink of choice?"

"What do you think I'm drinking?" I tilt my head to the side and purse my lips.

He takes a step back and looks me up and down.

"I have no idea, but I want to guess vodka and orange because that's very popular."

"Do you buy a lot of girl's drinks?"

"Not really." He awkwardly laughs. "But I'm making an exception because I wanted to meet you."

"Oh." I'm taken aback. "And you're right, its vodka and orange."

He orders drinks, and we find a free picnic table outside and around the corner. There's string lights down the alley which is just enough mood lighting.

I tap my nails against the glass and take a long sip - not that I need any more alcohol running through me.

"What are you doing out tonight?"

"I went to a comedy show with a few mates and then we decided to grab a drink while we're out. What about yourself?"

"Celebrating a friend's birthday."

I glance back at Talia and Jordan and they're spying from another table, except they're doing a terrible job because they're hiding behind cocktail menus, giggling at each other.

"Are your friends watching you as well?"

He points to a table behind me and, as I turn around, some of the guys watching turn around.

"I'm sorry about my friends." He shakes his head.

"I'm surprised mine haven't come over to investigate." I chuckle.

"Do you come out often?"

"No, I, um, actually have a son, so I don't get out as much."

"Wow, you have a son. That's cool." He raises his eyebrows and nods.

"You can run. This is usually when they run." I chuckle.

"Children don't scare me." He shrugs. "Okay, well, maybe babies do when they cry or poo. My two older brothers are married with kids, so I'm used to it all now. Tantrums, crying, playing dress up, you name it."

"Aw, that's sweet."

"How old is your son?"

"He's three, four this year, though."

"Oh, the fun stage." He giggles. "Also cute because they're so sassy and independent."

"He cheers me on and tells me I look like a princess, so he's pretty cute. I need that after he spends the day terrorising me."

"I love that for you."

"Again, feel free to run."

"You've been hurt that many times because you have a child?" He frowns.

"Honestly, more than you'd expect. Apparently, everyone's afraid of children and commitment." I take another long sip of my drink and he shakes his head.

"I'm not sure why people are terrified about the fact you have a child. Don't they eventually want to settle down and have children as well?"

"Perhaps because he's not their child? I don't know otherwise. Plus, dating a single mother is harder because we're busy."

"Okay, but dating, in general, is hard." He laughs. "I'm tired of dating and I hate dating apps. I just want to meet someone and settle down, but I keep meeting the wrong people."

"Dating apps suck." I groan. "You're never going to meet anyone serious on there."

"I agree, so when I saw you dancing, so carefree and beautiful, I had to meet you."

"Well, I hope I'm not disappointing you."

"Very far from it." His blue eyes sparkle.

I bite my lip, but it doesn't stop the blush from forming on my cheeks. Hopefully, he can't see it with the dim lighting.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a project manager at a marketing firm. However, I would describe it as more of a professional babysitter most days. I'm the oldest on the team, and I have to keep track of everyone and make sure they're meeting deadlines." I sigh. "What about yourself?"

"I'm in construction, mainly houses and small commercial buildings. I dabble in DIY home renovations sometimes. I like designing and recreating a space."

"Oh, this is good. Perhaps you can teach me how to use a power tool. I have some frames I need to hang in my house, but I'm terrified that I'll do something wrong and break the house." I grimace.

"Only if you promise not to hurt yourself. I don't know how fun a first date at the hospital would be, and I'm not the best with blood."

"I make no promises." I brightly smile. "Your house must be pretty cool or a construction zone. That's usually how it goes."

"It's currently a construction zone, only because I'm in the process of building a house. I considered renovating an older house, but there's so much hassle with old pipes and such, I didn't want to dump too much money into something only to have it sink."

"That's exciting!"

"It's exciting and stressful. I moved back home with my parents so I could save money to spend on the house and I'm desperate to have my own space again."

"There's seriously nothing like having your own space. When my son turned two, I finally had enough money saved to move out. Although it was really nice, having my mother around to help with Noah, especially when he was little."

"Noah's a cute name."

"Thanks."

"So you have nieces and nephews?"

"So far, three nieces who are all so different from each other. Sadie, Faith, and Eloise. They're all under the age of six. Eloise is the youngest, around Noah's age. Faith loves to do my hair and makeup and I don't mind because I'm the fun uncle. I used to be the drunk uncle, but I leave that job for my brothers." He laughs.

"I don't have any siblings, and sometimes I wish Noah had cousins he could play with."

"Hm." He inches closer. "Perhaps we could be great together then."

"I don't know. I need to know what your music choices are."

"Oh god, I thought you were going to ask about my zodiac sign." He sighs.

"What is your zodiac sign?"

Daniel puts his face in his hands and rubs his forehead.

"Ugh, I think it's Virgo? I'm born in August."

"I'm a Pisces, but I don't know much about astrology."

"So you're born in January?"

"Close, February."

"Do you want another drink?" He eyes the empty glass.

"Sure, thanks."

As soon as he's gone, Talia and Jordan run over and sit across from me.

"How's it going? Do you need saving?"

"No, it's great."

"We're going to head off soon. Are you going to stay?"

"I might stay, but I'll see you in the office on Monday."

"Are you sure?" Talia frowns.

"Positive."

Talia and Jordan squish me between them for a hug, then they head to the bar. They have to Daniel as they pass him. He takes a seat and slides the drink across.

"You didn't run away."

"No, still here."

I slurp down half the drink and freeze.

"Something wrong?"

"I forgot to watch and make sure you didn't put drugs in this."

"Drugs are expensive and I would rather take them myself." He laughs.

"You make a suspiciously good point there."

"I pinky promise." He holds out his pinky finger and I link mine through it and shake on it.

"Pinky promises are very serious business."

"Trust me, I know."

The music gets louder, so he joins my side. His leg brushes against mine as he settles onto the bench. I expect him to move, but it's nice having him this close. His aftershave is a deep musk scent that fills my senses.

"Is the father around much? Would he be angry if I'm talking to you?"

"We separated shortly after Noah was born. He breezes in sometimes when he wants to be a father, but we're over for good. I don't date much, it's usually just Noah and I. I kind of like it that way sometimes."

"So you've raised him by yourself?"

"Once we split, I moved in with my mother for two years and she was a lifesaver. She helped take care of Noah and she's obsessed with him. He's her only grandchild, so she spoils him. I only trust her with him."

"It's really nice your mother has helped you."

"She's awesome, but she's always asking if I've met someone and when I'll be having more children. It's annoying."

"I hate the 'you're getting old, you need to settle down' speech. Please stop, I'm trying. Dating isn't like when they were young."

"Dating is hard." I pout.

"I don't usually approach random people, but hey, I'm getting old and I didn't want to regret never meeting you."

"I'm really glad you did."

"Can I take you on a proper date?"

"I'll check my calendar and see when I'm free."

"Okay." He nods.

* * * * *

"Mummy, I'm home."

Noah launches himself onto the bed and catapults the air out of my body. I squish him into a hug and kiss the top of his head. I hold the blanket up and he dives under the covers.

"How was Nannie's house?"

"We built a blanket fort and ate lollies."

"Oh, that sounds like fun."

Mum walks in with a takeaway coffee and places it on my side table.

"Thank you so much!"

"I thought you might need it after the messages last night." She laughs.

"I do." I groan.

"Hey Noah, do you want to get your new toys and bring them to the living room? You can show me your new dinosaurs."

He nods and runs out of the room.

"So, how was your night?"

"I met somebody." I bite my lip to stop myself from smiling like a fool.

"Oh, tell me more!"

"His name is Daniel, and he works in construction. He's a bit taller than me, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He doesn't mind that I have a child and asked if he can take me on a date."

"How old is he?"

"Twenty-six, so just a year older than me."

"Do you want to go on a date with him?"

"Yes." I sink under the covers to hide my bright red cheeks.

"I can watch Noah for a couple of hours. You need to get out there and meet somebody nice. After Craig left, I didn't think you'd ever put yourself out there, but here you are." She pats my leg. "I'm proud of you."

"We'll see how it goes. Maybe he doesn't want to date me and was just being nice last night."

"Don't you dare put yourself down like that! You're beautiful. Craig has no idea what he's lost, but one day he'll realise he walked away from a beautiful family."

"Thanks, Mum."

"Drink your coffee, shower and then we can all go out for breakfast."

"Sounds good."

The coffee has gone warm now, so I drink half before pulling myself out of bed and heading to the bathroom. Black makeup is smudged under my eyes and my hair is all over the place; I look crazy.

I strip out of my clothes and stand under the warm water and begin scrubbing away. After showering, I tug on a sunflower dress and slick my hair into a bun before wandering into the lounge room.

Mum and Noah are playing with the dinosaurs. Noah jumps up and runs over to hug my leg. I run my fingers through his hair and stroke his cheek.

"Are you ready for breakfast?"

"Come on, I'll drive."

I follow them to the car and climb into the passenger seat. My phone buzzes and I hold in the squeal at the sight of Daniel's name.

Mum peers over and waggles her eyebrows.

"Does that mean you'll need a babysitter?"

I smile and shove the phone into my bag.

* * * * *

New story, what do you think?