It was Christmas time and I got a call right before the break with an opportunity to pitch the McGrath Imports group in Chicago. It was my first time in Chicago and thankfully I was visiting with my boss at the time, Megan who lives, breaths, eats and sleeps Chicago, IL. She was the best tour guide. The meeting went really well and we ended up at Chicago Cut eating dinner with Kevin McGrath and Sophia Urtis. We were all having the best time and didn't want the night to end so we decide that we all wanted to go out. Well, Kevin obviously didn't want to go alone with three ladies so he calls up his friend to come join us. Austin shows up wearing the most gaudy looking suit (he is still to this day not allowed to wear this suit) and within minutes of ordering another round, he was mansplaining the basics of automotive to me. Little did he know, he was about to have a run for his money because the girls at the table weren't just good looking, we had brains too!

We decide its time to go out so we close out the bill and get dropped off to change before meeting the group at The Godfrey Hotel rooftop for more drinks. As you can imagine, Austin had a run for his money with me because I didn't back down. We continued to bicker with a slight mix of flirting in between. One drink lead to another and we ended up deciding it was a genius idea to go to Tao Night Club to see Lil Jon DJ.

We walk inside and get a drink. As we all know, I am NOT a club girly. I look around and find myself talking with Austin again. This time, we are civil and as we start talking, I begin to enjoy our conversation and may or may not have laughed at one of his jokes. He grabs my hand and we find ourselves dancing and having a great time. Austin leans in and kisses me and I remember getting butterflies in my stomach, the kind you get when you're in middle school and your crush talks to you for the first time.

I had to use the rest room so Austin walks me over and waits in line with me where we continued to flirt and kiss. To my surprise, I came out of the bathroom and Austin was no where to be found. I met back up with Megan and we decided to go back to the hotel to go to sleep. I was so bummed that he left and didn't say goodbye. The next morning, I woke up, gathered my things and headed to the airport for my flight. Megan and I are sitting at the gate, hungover, eating McDonalds and I receive a text from Kevin giving me Austin's number to text him. Naturally, I have already written this man off and have ZERO desire to see him, let alone speak another word to him. I refused to text him. I land in Atlanta and turn my phone back on to find a text from Austin.

We continued to text and snapchat over the course of the next few days. Before I knew it, we were facetiming and he invited me back to Chicago to spend a few days with him over break. With a lot of convincing from my best friends, especially, Erin Wilburn, I took a chance on love and I obviously never turned back. Needless to say, I didn't end up with all of the McGrath stores, but I ended up with the love of my life that is 100x times better than any new biz win [Sorry Jess, Megan, John, Cody and Jeff if you are reading this].

Well, after traveling for 9 days between Florida for Thanksgiving and Dallas for Work it was finally time to come home. The normal O-hare to Chicago traffic was in full effect on this particular Friday and I was in my favorite Uber trying to stay positive as my driver spoke zero English…. Happy Friday.

Finally seeing the Chicago Skyline my phone starts ringing with a call from Kevin McGrath and I’m thinking, hmmm been gone better get caught up on anything happening. Within about 45 seconds I sensed this call had zero to do with work. Kevin was at an advertising dinner with his marketing director and an Atlanta based company pitching to get more business. Kevin mentioned that he needed a wingman as he was flying solo and it didn’t look right for him to be out with 3 much younger women. I declined the invite about 4x until Kevin mentioned he could see my place and that I better get over there….

After a quick shower, way too much hair gel, and a gaudy suit… I was ready to go! I arrive only to find an Expresso Martini war zone!!! WHAT HAPPENED! I immediately ordered a drink and shortly after the interrogation began. Who are you? What do you do? What is ethos? Etc… Kevin smirking as he now got out of communicating starts laughing as I begin arguing with all of these women on how things actually work in a car store….

One turned into a few and a few turned into thinking that going to see Lil Jon DJ would be a good idea. Cass and I moved passed the arguing and by the time we got to Tao we were holding hands and I believe I may have even busted a move. With the Post Party Depression concerns starting to sink in, The irish good-bye was inevitable. I walked Cass to the restroom, gave her a kiss before she walked in, and then began the trek home to my long overdue bed. No warning, no nothing Complete Ghost Mode. Waking up the next day to multiple missed calls and text I finally got Cass’s number. We began talking Daily and of course I flew her back out the following weekend. Love at First ..Goodbye.

*NOTE THIS WAS CLEARLY NOT EDITED BY CASS*