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Brendan sets down his glass. “What’s up? You look like you just crashed your car and won the fucking lottery at the same time.”

I shoot up, shoving my phone in my pocket and getting my jacket from the hook under the bar. “I have to go.”

Brendan watches me, surprised. “Hot girl giving you a booty call?”

Ramming my arms through the sleeves of my jacket, I jerk the zipper up. “I’m going to New York.”

“New York? Wait – what? I thought you’re going there in a few days” His eyes register understanding as he realizes what’s going on. “This is about that girl. But I thought her name was Nicole, not Jessica.”

I laugh, grab a couple twenties from my wallet and throw them on the bar. “It is. Jessica’s her friend I slept with before I met her. And she just gave me her blessing. Jessica. Not Nicole. I have to go win her back.”

Brendan’s jaw drops. “No shit? Way to fuckin’ go. And here I thought you’d lost your mojo.”

Grinning, I pat him on the shoulder. “Brendan. I love you, man. I’ll see you on the flip side.”

He turns in his seat and calls after me, “Good luck!”

As I walk fast toward the door, I give a wave to Annie. She looks from me quickly back to Brendan, making sure he’s still there. Relieved, she waves to me. “Have a good night!” she calls.

As I open the door and step out into San Francisco, I can’t help but wonder if Annie might be enough woman to domesticate my buddy, for good. Now wouldn’t that be something. But I’m not holding my breath.