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return. “To new beginnings, a new life.”
    Erin smiled, knowing how much was behind his words: a combination of pain and hope that they could both move on from the past. She picked up the shot and threw it back. The sweet liquid scurried its way down her throat. The warm sensation that followed transported Erin back to happier, more carefree days.
    And as Erin slammed the shot glass back down on the table, she heard a familiar voice from behind. “That’s my girl.”
    It may have been almost a year, but Erin would have known it anywhere. She turned and found her best friend smiling at her.
    Erin tore across the aisle and ran straight into his arms. She was laughing and crying all at once. Erin didn’t know how much she had missed him, missed that put-life-on-hold attitude until now. Josh hugged her tight, appearing equally happy to see her. After a minute of “I can’t believe you’re heres” and “I missed yous,” she grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the table. Paul was already standing, his hand extended to Josh.
    Looking at Josh, Erin was shocked. She’d known he’d be here, but she was shocked at how good it felt to see her old friend, to be okay with coming face-to-face with a part of her life that she had tried desperately to forget, to check off item number five on her list. Josh symbolized her life at college and the moment when her innocence had been taken from her. And until now, Erin had thought that allowing Josh back into her life would somehow awaken the memories of the rapist that had lain dormant for the past several months, since she had started therapy. Though occasional nightmares and trembling hands still plagued her at times.
    Josh ordered a round for their intimate little gathering and they instantly started reminiscing about their college days. Erin forgot how great a storyteller Josh was, and before she knew it, he was sharing the keg stand story with her brother. Paul smiled and interjected at appropriate times during the retelling, but she couldn’t fight the feeling that her brother was studying her. When Josh excused himself to the bathroom, Paul seemed to seize the opportunity and reached for her hand. “Time for me to head out.”
    “What…where are you going?” she asked, clearly missing something.
    “I have no intention of being the third wheel. My plan was to hang out here until I felt you were comfortable enough to be with Josh and just have fun.” Paul stood up, not allowing her to disagree or try to convince him to stay. “The limo will take you wherever you need to go. I’ll have my phone on me at all times. Call me if you need me.” Erin knew how hard it was for him to let her go. He wanted to stay, to never let her out of his sight if he could help it. And again, she loved him for it.
    Paul kissed her on the forehead and walked to meet Josh, who was just returning from the restroom. Erin watched from the table and though she couldn’t hear the conversation between her brother and Josh, she gathered that the conspirators deemed Operation Get Erin Back to the Land of the Living a success. Erin smiled at her brother as he left, thanking him and giving him the confirmation he needed that she would be alright.
    Josh came over to the table with two beers in hand and Erin happily accepted. “If my calculations are correct, you are just one beer away from agreeing to dance with me. So drink up, sweetheart.”
    Josh’s estimate was dead-on. Erin was working on a great buzz, feeling the wine and shots, which were giving her that lightheaded, carefree feeling that all was right in the world. The beers were going down like water and the next thing she knew, Josh was pulling her out onto the dance floor. It didn’t take long for them to find their rhythm.
    They would grab a beer during the songs they both despised and then immediately return to the dance floor. Erin was loving every minute of it. People were bumping and grinding on all sides of her, leaving no space