“I don’t know how we could possibly top this night, Jewels. It’s safe to say Coldplay is my new favorite band.”
“Ah, welcome to the awesome side of life,” I tell him. “You should get your ass off your friend’s couch and come over more often.”
The line for the club isn’t too terrible by the time we arrive. I’ve never been here, only heard of the place through Jason’s buddy in the Corps. We’re on the rooftop bar within fifteen minutes. Loud music pulsates into the dark night air, the faces of all the people dancing illuminated by a sexy blue glow from the lights. The surreal feeling of the night just keeps improving, like I’m floating through the best dream ever.
We find a place to wriggle in at a high table. “Do you want a drink?” Adam asks.
In all the time we’ve spent together, I’ve never seen him drink booze, and I’ve decided the only way to keep my hormones in check is to stay sober. “A sparkling water would be nice. I think I may have busted a vocal chord at the concert.”
Adam flags a waitress down, grinning. “When he touched your hand, I thought you were going to pass out. Either that, or I thought my ear drum would shatter.”
“Sorry.” A telling flush fills my neck. “I kind of have a thing for hot guys who can sing and play instruments. Chris Martin’s probably at the top of the list.”
The waitress appears in a dress so tight I’m surprised she can move. Adam orders us each a sparkling water, and the woman winks at him before leaving. We wander over to the edge where a sweeping view of the city leaves us both breathless.
He turns to me after a moment. “You okay?”
“Oddly enough, this thin sheet of glass makes me feel safe from plunging to my death. Besides, I’m the one who brought us here, remember?”
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder, taking in the twinkling lights and still busy traffic below. I’ve always pictured myself living in a city this size one day. Chicago, New York, Miami, San Diego, it doesn’t really matter as long as there’s always something new and exciting to explore, new restaurants and bars to discover. Weather isn’t even a factor for me. It’s moments like this that I’ll always crave—being able to view the beauty of the city from above while taking in a hip dance club. At least until I’m too old to go clubbing.
“Where do you see yourself ending up one day?” I ask. “I mean if you ever venture outside of Wisconsin again.”
Adam ruffles his hair as he always does when he’s nervous or unsure. “I haven’t given it much thought. I’m too far into this living for the moment thing. You?”
“It’s gotta be somewhere big. I can’t deal with small towns. I don’t think I’ll stay in Wisconsin either. Part of me hopes I’ll fall in love with a city on this trip and decide it’s where I want to be.” I rest my hand against the glass, suddenly feeling brave. “I live for the idea of being surrounded by strangers. There’s always someone new to meet.
Always something thrilling to do to fill your time. Concerts, galas, art shows, it’s the kind of thing I see myself doing to stay busy and happy. I’m not the type to sit still and do nothing, or keep going back to the same bars every weekend. Know what I mean?”
I turn to find Adam staring at me with the kind of gaze I can’t handle. I grab his hand, pulling him away from the view. “C’mon, let’s dance. If this place is going to close soon, we need to make the best of it.”
Turns out Adam’s a goofy dancer, but extremely confident in his moves. We get lost in the pulsating crowd, moving carelessly to the techno beat as if we belong. At one point Adam reaches out as if to grind with me, but I wag my finger at him and remind him of the no touching rule I implemented. By the time it’s midnight and we’re getting shooed out, my sides hurt from laughing at Adam’s less than suave moves.
We ride another taxi down to the Crown Fountain and The Bean where I remember taking pictures into the mirrored art as a kid. Seeing these things so late at night is so relaxed compared to the usual hectic times I’ve visited in the daytime. The golden glow of the city lights reflect off the sculpture for a view nearly as stunning as the displays from the concert.
Adam steps in and out of view, his expression changing with every step. I laugh and pull out my phone. “Stand there a minute.”
We had an agreement long before we left that there would be no grumbling when it was time for pictures as I’m a visual nut and love photography. Adam obligingly tilts his chin down, looking up at me through the sculpture with a serene expression.