Upon reaching Austin, our initial action involved a shopping spree for clothes. We stumbled upon a tourist-oriented Western store and decided to exchange outfits. I made selections, including blue jeans, a coordinated western denim button-down shirt, and, naturally, a cowboy hat for him. After the purchases, we headed to the fitting rooms for a wardrobe change. I couldn't help but laugh, with a mix of surprise and horror, at the attire he had chosen for me. Gazing into the mirror, I found myself in a short denim skirt adorned with pink rhinestones on the back pockets, along with a pink halter top. To complete the look, he added a sleeveless denim vest and white cowboy boots adorned with rhinestones.
As I emerged from the dressing room, he chuckled, remarking, "I can't believe I forgot the hat!" Amid laughter, I responded, "I can't believe I have to don these boots." Despite this, we enthusiastically took numerous selfies in front of the mirror and proudly shared them online.
Following our impromptu fashion show, he inquired about our dining preferences. I expressed neutrality, leading us to a burger bar, which was somewhat expected given Josiah's penchant for hearty fare. To my surprise, the burger options were diverse. I opted for the Greek burger, featuring a lamb patty, feta cheese, arugula, onions, tomato, cucumber, and tzatziki sauce. Josiah chose the Primetime, boasting Kobe beef, brie cheese, truffle aioli, arugula, onions, and steak sauce.
In addition to ordering two house-brewed beers, he also selected truffle parmesan fries for us to share. The meal was a delightful culinary experience, savored on the restaurant's patio. As I was treated to the first bite of fries, I playfully lamented, "I'll never be able to enjoy regular fries again." Josiah grinned and continued to enjoy the fries himself.
After a leisurely stroll and admiring the surroundings, we made our way to the bar where Mitchell was performing. During his third year of college, Josiah shared an apartment with Mitchell and two other roommates, maintaining their close friendship. Mitchell, now a part of a ska punk band, had moved to Austin after inheriting a trust fund. Josiah frequently visited him, while I, during my graduate school years, often worried that he might decide to permanently settle in Austin.
Mitchell's band took the stage, and their ska punk performance was as impressive as I remembered. Amid the beats, Josiah and I were immersed in the music, enjoying drinks at a table. After their set, Mitchell approached us, offering a warm embrace and complimenting my appearance.
"Katy, you seem more beautiful every time I see you," he greeted me. I reciprocated with a hug, responding, "And you're the epitome of a rockstar! Your performance was outstanding! A Nicki Minaj cover, really?" Mitchell chuckled, "Yep, you caught that irony, huh?" "Not at all. I was getting major Barbie vibes!" I playfully countered, dancing around as we shared laughter.
Turning his attention to Josiah, Mitchell playfully inquired about his attire, to which Josiah pointed at me, prompting more laughter. Mitchell then proposed getting another round of drinks, suggesting Josiah mention their connection to the bartender.
As Josiah reluctantly headed to the bar, Mitchell and I engaged in conversation. He expressed joy in seeing me, especially alongside Josiah, and playfully commented on the blossoming romantic connection between us. I snorted, then giggled, explaining that we were actually escaping a previous romantic connection, namely Roxanna. This prompted Mitchell to inquire about Roxanna, revealing his curiosity about our current situation.
"Shhh," I whispered, leaning in conspiratorially. "I'm not supposed to mention her when you're around. That's one of her rules, can you believe it? As if the breakup wasn't already awkward enough, she had to go and establish these ridiculous rules. Seriously, that's why I'm grateful that Josiah and I never ventured into the realm of romance. I couldn't bear the thought of enduring a messy breakup like you guys did. It sounded absolutely dreadful," I rambled, my words flowing freely as the alcohol's effects loosened my tongue.
Mitchell just shook his head, wearing a bemused expression. "That's insane. You shouldn't let our poor decisions influence your choices."
"I know, right? I'm definitely not about changing someone like she attempted to do. And still does, I guess. Although, I have to admit, she somehow managed to whip her boyfriend into shape. It's simultaneously hilarious and absurd. But my guy, he doesn't need any fixing – he's just amazing," I gushed, a fond smile lighting up my face.
"Wait, you have a boyfriend?" Mitchell's curiosity was evident.
I frowned, a mixture of contemplation and uncertainty in my eyes. "Well, not officially. He wanted us to be a couple two years ago, but then I moved to California. Now, I think he might have feelings for me, and honestly, I've developed feelings for him too. But I can't figure out if his intentions are genuine or if he's just feeling sorry for me, you know?"
"The guy with the kid?" Mitchell asked, furrowing his brow in concern.
"Yeah, that's him. His name is Carter, and his kid is CJ. They're both amazing," I reassured him, a soft smile playing on my lips.
"What's so amazing?" Josiah's voice joined the conversation as he returned with shots and more members of Mitchell's band, including Ian – another friend from college.
"Everything is amazing. Everything is cool when you're part of a team," I playfully sang, sharing a smile with Josiah and giving Ian a warm hug.
Josiah laughed and playfully draped his arm around me. "After this, I think we need to cut you off," he teased, handing me a shot glass.
"To Austin," he proposed a toast.
"To Austin!" we chorused, clinking our shot glasses together before downing the fiery liquid in unison.
As the night progressed, we found ourselves weaving conversations above the music, and I even managed to coerce everyone into joining me for a dance. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air, captured in countless photos and videos posted on social media. When the bar finally closed, we navigated our way to Mitchell's apartment, a deviation from our original plan to book a hotel room. Mitchell insisted we stay with him, offering up his spare bedroom. I anticipated sharing the bed with Josiah, and he seemed to share the same expectation as he led me toward the room. However, Mitchell's voice called Josiah back before we could settle in.
"Hey, Josiah, come here for a sec," Mitchell's voice carried from the doorway. Josiah shot me a mischievous smile before excusing himself.
"I'll be right back, Katypad," he assured me before disappearing into the hallway. I drifted off into slumber, waiting for his return.
The next morning, I groggily awoke to find myself alone. I shuffled out to the living room, spotting Josiah sprawled out on the couch, his peaceful slumber undisturbed. Retrieving my phone from my bag, I discovered texts from Caroline and a string of missed calls from Roxanna, Carter, and my boss, Homer. Homer's voicemail took priority – an urgent session required my attention. Groaning, I called up Bailey, who kindly agreed to cover for me. A sense of unease washed over me, whether from the lingering effects of the previous night's revelry or the guilt of neglecting my responsibilities, I wasn't quite sure.
Attempting to rouse Josiah proved futile as he barely stirred, his sleep remaining undisturbed. Opting to focus on breakfast, I set my sights on Round Rock Donuts. I dialed Carter's number, hoping to reconnect, but my call went unanswered. When I returned to the apartment, I found both Josiah and Mitchell awake.
"Where were you?" Josiah inquired, curiosity evident in his eyes.
I gestured toward the box of donuts. "Breakfast duty," I replied. "I tried waking you up earlier, but this marks the second time in two weeks that you've crashed on the couch after a night out. Your tolerance is definitely taking a hit."
Mitchell chuckled, nostalgia coloring his smile. "I can't believe you remembered that," he commented, reaching for donuts.
"Of course I did. And don't forget, we were supposed to have a trip out here too. A vacation with everyone. I still think that's something we should make happen," I suggested, glancing at Josiah, who seemed lost in thought.
"T-Rev?" I prompted him, seeking his agreement.
"Sure thing, Katypad. Sounds like a plan," he responded, a small grin playing on his lips.
As we prepared to head back to Dallas, Josiah's familiar buoyant demeanor had fully returned, a transformation I jokingly attributed to the magical properties of the donuts. There was an undeniable giddiness that accompanied indulging in Round Rock's exquisite confections. A sense of regret briefly surfaced – I knew that the perfection I had experienced here would render the ordinary donuts in Dallas rather lackluster. While I mused over the impact on my waistline and sugar intake, I couldn't help but acknowledge that it was probably for the best.
With a mix of memories and newfound plans dancing in our minds, we embarked on our journey back to Dallas, the echoes of Austin's charm lingering in our hearts.