Ellie patiently and delicately completed the finishing touches on the costume that her coworkers had affectionately started to call a “husband-catching-outfit”. She barely made it to the Nashville Hostel on time to meet her friends for their Dia de los Muertos themed anniversary party. She turned the corner in the lobby and was met with a locked elevator door that required a key card. On her way over to the desk for help, she ran into a couple friends who immediately put her at ease. They all sauntered over to the reception area to see if they could get help with the elevator. Josh mindlessly clicked away at the computer among the buzz of excited people getting ready to enjoy their weekend. He did hear some rumblings about a party, but hadn’t decided if it was something he was interested in. While he mulled his decision over, three young women came up to his counter and asked for elevator access. He wordlessly walked down the hall and opened the elevator doors. They followed behind and with a quick thank you, they were gone. He traipsed back to his desk and settled back in for his shift. Ellie got off the elevator and immediately saw other party goers decked out in their elaborate outfits. She rushed into the closest bathroom and threw on her costume along with a full face of sugar skull make up. She confidently strolled out to her waiting friends, and with their hoots and hollers of approval, they all disembarked on their journey for tacos and margaritas. They weren’t entirely disappointed that a rush of tourists caused a massive wait for tacos and that they had to have another round of margaritas as an appetizer. Before long, a group of very well hydrated sugar skeletons wandered down Printers Alley looking for a stage. Ms. Kelly’s Karaoke Bar was happy to oblige. With a wave of her hand, Ellie dismissed the DJ’s offer of the song book and joined a few of her friends in singing the words AND sound effects to “Make a Man out of You” from Mulan. Finding himself an unwilling audience member of this display, Josh started to question the certainty of his decision to join the party and was looking for the exit. In the smoothest way he could, he tried to politely say farewell to the host, and turn for the door. She shook her head in defiance of his goodbye. Without giving him a chance to answer, she looked around and pushed him over to a particularly tall and elegantly dancing sugar skull. Ashley, Ellie’s best friend, was already spoken for, however, she noted how respectful and sweet Josh was to appease their host. Ashley danced them over to Ellie to expertly conduct introductions and then vanished. Ellie beamed up at Josh with her face full of smeared skull make up and they continued to laugh, dance, and talk. Their conversation moving as smoothly as the music that surrounded them. As the song ended, she skipped off to the bathroom. Josh stared after her to figure out his next move. The restroom door opened to Ellie with a warm welcome from other sugar skulls and a gaggle of happy ladies eager to get the update on the boy that they saw her dancing with. She gave them all the details of their conversation. The women indiscreetly stuck their heads out the door to catch a glimpse of him at the bar. The verdict was that she should definitely go out with him and yes, he’s cute. Ellie felt her cheeks warm under the makeup and said, “We’ll see.” She marched back out to meet him at the bar. After an undetermined amount of time talking and learning about each other, the night was coming to an end. Had it really been that long? Before they parted ways, Josh had to shoot his shot, and said, “Would you like to grab a coffee?” Ellie grimaced and stubbornly said, “Eww no I don’t drink coffee.” Then he smiled and with his lovely lilting English accent said, “Can I take you to tea?” Without any hesitation, Ellie said, “Yes.”