Luna and Rowan first met on a dating app in August 2015. The two of them had graduated college and both had steady jobs. They lived in Denver, CO.
Luna worked as a legal assistant, hoping soon to be an attorney. She was studying for the bar after graduating law school in the spring the year prior. She was a gorgeous curly ginger haired woman. She had dated her fair share of men and was looking for a real relationship, not just casual sex.
Rowan worked as a junior architect at a firm he joined after finishing graduate school the earlier spring. He also studied engineering and was really excited to work his way up to become a reputable architect. So far, he was enjoying the work with his firm.
He was looking for a connection and was ready for a steady relationship if he could find that right woman. He only had a few girlfriends since graduating high school. He felt somewhat inexperienced.
After talking through their dating app chat, they agreed to meet at a bar not far from both of their offices on a Thursday night.
Luna was wearing a pink blouse and black dress skirt. She loved the library themed bar they agreed on as her firm went there often for drinks after work.
Rowan was wearing one of his favorite ties with a suit that he liked. He had not been to this bar before but thought really liked it the moment he entered.
His firm had often frequented a more neighborhood bar or a local brewery.
He got a table and in the bar area and waited for Luna to arrive. About a minute after sitting, she arrived and recognized Rowan right away. He also recognized her as well.
They both thought it was great as they approached each other that they had been honest about their pictures.
"Hi Luna, it is so nice to meet you," Rowan said extending a hand. Luna took his hand. "Likewise, thank you for meeting me here. I really love this place," she replied.
They both ordered drinks and started talking about their jobs and recent grad school experiences.
"I graduated from Northwestern law school last spring and now I am studying hard to become a lawyer," Luna said. "Preparing for the Colorado bar is hard. There are so many new laws since they legalized marijuana in 2012. I have been studying hard for over a year. This will be my 3rd attempt and it will be worth it if I can pass. How about you Rowan?"
"I completed my master's program in architecture at NYU last May," Rowan replied. "I took a few engineering classes in addition to finishing degree, and I hope that I can make a great impression at this firm. I am excited about being an architect here in Denver."
She thought he was cute and well spoken, he thought she was brilliant and confident along with being the type of woman that attracted him.
After another drink, they ordered food and kept talking through dinner.
Neither of them thought it would go past the first drink just from nerves, but they just kept talking about returning home to Denver after college.
"I really wanted to stay in Chicago, I loved being at Northwestern for law school," Luna said. "I made the best of friends there and we would take the train from Evanston to Cubs games so many times. My family is here, I grew up in Golden and got my undergrad at UNC in Greeley."
Rowan was star struck, he loved baseball, but more specifically he loved the Cubs. He had been a fan since he was a child. "I considered going to DePaul, they have a great school, and I would have been so close to Wrigley," he replied.
"I grew up in Durango and went to Fort Lewis for my undergrad even after my parents sold their house and moved to Castle Rock. NYU was great, I loved being in New York, it was such an experience."
They both kept smiling and talking over their meals as they finished their drinks. They agreed to split the check for dinner.
Rowan walked Luna to her car and asked if he could see her again. She said yes, she would love that, and they exchanged phone numbers and said good night.
On their 2nd date, Luna and Rowan went out for lunch on a weekend at a sandwich shop they really liked. Both of them were starting to feel something.
She liked how he could be both casual and formal, like having a simple lunch because the food was great. He liked the fact that he didn't have to try so hard and could be himself.
He liked Luna but wanted to be cautious and not come off as overzealous. Luna felt the same way about Rowan and hoped it would not just end up being about sex like the last few guys she dated.
After the 3rd date for dinner at a restaurant that they both liked, Rowan made his move. He gently took her hand, and she took his as they walked slowly to her car. Upon getting her there, instead of hugging her goodbye, he reached out to kiss her.
She emphatically returned the kiss as they embraced. They both loved how good the other was at kissing. After a few moments he broke the kiss, and they had a warm embrace.
"What took you so long handsome?" Luna said playfully. "I like you and I wanted to make sure things felt right to me," Rowan replied. She nodded, smiled and they kissed again.
Luna really liked how he was not in a rush for things. She was starting to have feelings for Rowan, but she had so much on her mind really focusing on the bar when she wasn't working.
The two of them went on a few more light dates before things looked as if they might be getting serious.
Luna was set to take her bar exam again and wanted to focus on that before they thought about anything else.
This was perfectly fine with Rowan. He did not want to rush to the bedroom.
He had been with women before, but after having sex, all the relationships he had fizzled out.
They had made out in his car after a date, and he got to 2nd base over her clothing but that was it so far.
He was hoping after she took her exam that they could get closer and enjoy more intimacy.
---
The week before Halloween, Luna took her bar exam again. Rowan made sure to give her space and told her that he would take her out to dinner afterwards.
After finishing the exam, Luna looked exhausted. She had worked so hard studying the last few weeks.
Since she had not passed the last two times, she changed her study strategy.
He took her out for pizza, and she could barely keep her eyes open. "I am sorry for being a lousy date tonight," Luna said sleepily. "I will make it up to you next weekend, I promise." Rowan smiled at her and squeezed her hand, she squeezed back.
"There is nothing to be sorry about Luna," he replied. "I know how hard you studied. I sincerely hope you passed and can work towards becoming a lawyer. When will you find out?"
She said the test results would be released right before Thanksgiving.
The next weekend after a long week of work for the both of them, Luna and Rowan planned to attend a horror movie and she wanted to see his apartment.
After the movie, Rowan invited Luna up to his apartment. She loved how nice and spacious his place was. He also kept a clean home.
He poured each of them a glass of red wine. They each clinked their glasses and took a sip. "I love your apartment, this is really nice," Luna stated. "I also really like this wine you served."
Rowan finished his sip. "Thanks, I got really lucky with this place," he replied. "I love living here. I am glad you like the wine. Pinot noir is my favorite."
She put the glass down on a coaster and reached to kiss him. He put his glass down and returned the kiss. They started making out on his couch.
