A week after Brooke had moved she started her new job. She really loved it and one of the perks at the office was a free gym membership. Friday after work she decided to go to the gym and clear her mind. She had been thinking a lot about how different life in Boston was and she was getting a little worked up about it.

After she changed she walked out of the locker room with her iPod and earbuds in hand. She put in her earbuds, started her music, and made her way to the treadmill. She ran for fifteen minutes before she made her way to the weight room. She picked up a medicine ball and sat down to start doing sit-ups. After she had moved onto push-ups she noticed a pair of sneakers walking in her direction. She didn't think anything of it and continued her exercise.

Brooke finally stopped her exercise and lay down on her back, her eyes closed, and took a breather. When she finally opened her eyes she saw her neighbor's face smiling down at her.

She pulled out her earbuds. "Hey there, Chris." She responded skeptically.

"Hey, Brooke." He offered his hand out to her to help her up and she took it. "Sorry if that was a really strange way to say hi, but thought I'd go for it."

"No, it's totally fine." She chuckled. "So, how are you?" She asked.

"I'm doing great. Sweaty but you know." He shrugged and the two of them chuckled. "I was actually about to head out. Uh, maybe you'd want to hang out later?"

"Yeah, sure." She smiled at him. "I'll knock on your door later." That sounded oddly sexual, she thought.

He chuckled. "Alright. See you then." He walked off towards the locker rooms and Brooke made her way to another one of the machines.

She stayed at the gym for another hour before she decided to call it in. She went back to the locker rooms, showered off, and headed home. When she got back to her apartment she tossed her bags inside and knocked on Chris' door. He opened up almost instantly. "Hey, neighbor." He smiled.

That smile is going to kill me one day, she thought. "Hey." She smiled back. "So, what's the plan, neighbor."

"Well, I was thinking I could take you to this cool pub. It's a few blocks down, if you're willing to walk."

"Sure, that sounds nice. I'll change real quick and meet you out here."

"Alright. See you in a few." He gave a small salute before she went back into her apartment. She ran a hand through her hair as she walked into her bedroom. "He's such a dork." She said under her breath and smiled.

She decided to dress casually and put on a tank top, jeans, and flat sandals. She sprayed a little perfume on, grabbed her purse and keys and walked out of her apartment. Chris clearly hadn't finished yet so she turned to lock her door and wait.

"Brooke?" She looked up from her door down the hall to where she heard her name called. "It is you."

Oh you've got to be fucking with me. "Hi, Ethan." She put on a fake smile as he walked towards her.

"Didn't think I'd ever see you again." He pulled her into an awkward hug and she pulled away as soon as she could.

"Have to say I thought the same." This better be short. "What brings you here?"

"A friend of mine lives in this building. I guess you do to now." He leaned against the wall. Is he really trying to pull this trick on me?

"I do." She looked down at her watch. "Well, I've got to go soon. I'm just waiting for someone."

He put up his hands. "Okay. I'll leave you be. Text me sometime." He winked at her and turned down the hall. Just as he left Chris came out of his apartment. He was wearing jeans and a flannel that exposed a tattoo on his chest.

"Who the hell was that?" He asked as he locked his door.

"My reason to get drunk tonight."

Chris chuckled. "You can tell me later. Let's head out." They made their way to the stairs and he let Brooke go in front of him. "I didn't know you had a tattoo." He said after they got out of the stairwell.

"Oh yeah." She said and reached for the tattoo on her shoulder. "I didn't know you had one either."

He chuckled and rubbed his chest. " I guess you learn new things everyday."

"I guess you're right. So, what's this pub like?"

"Oh it's great. Pretty low key so it won't be super crowded."

"Neat. I'm ready to have fun tonight." She rubbed her hands together.

"When you hang out with me, fun is guaranteed." They both laughed.

"You should put that on a billboard." She joked.

"I should, shouldn't I." He chuckled. They walked a few blocks down, chatting about random things, before he stopped. "Here we are." He opened the door for her and they walked inside.

"Wow." She said as she looked around. "This is nice."

"I thought you'd like it." He looked around and rubbed his beard. "Why don't we take that table over there."

"Alright." They walked over and sat down.

"Here's a list of drinks and what they've got on tap." He said, handing her the menu on the table.

"Are you not getting anything?" She asked as she looked over the menu.

"No, I am. I just already know what I want."

"You've clearly been here before." She chuckled and set down the menu.

"What're you gonna get."

"A Moscow mule and how about wings for the table?" She raised an eyebrow and smiled at him.

"I like the way you think. I'll go ask at the bar." He got up and walked to the bar. God he's so damn sweet, she thought as she looked at him. Chris looked back at Brooke from the bar and smiled when he saw her looking. He waved at her and she waved back.

"Here you go, Brooke." He said and set their drinks on the table. "They're gonna bring the wings out in a bit."

"Alright, sounds great." Brooke's phone buzzed and she groaned. "Do you mind?" She asked when she pulled out her phone.

"Not at all." He raised his beer to her. "I'll be right here."

"Thanks." She got up and walked over towards the restrooms to answer her phone. There wasn't a caller ID so she just picked up. "Hello?"

"Brooke! Babe, what's up."

"Who the hell is this?"

"Who do you think? It's Ethan."

She groaned. "Are you drunk right now?"

"Maybe. But that doesn't matter. Let me know when you get home and we can, you know, hang out."

"Not a chance in hell jackass." She hung up and walked back to the table.

"That the same guy from earlier?" Chris asked as she sat down.

"Yep." She said and took a sip of her drink.

"You gonna tell me about him?" He asked.

She sighed. "He's just my ex boyfriend from back home. A lot of shit happened that I don't want to get into right this second. Maybe some other time, but for now, let's just enjoy each other's company."

He raised his glass. "To good times and taking things easy."

"Cheers."