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He rolls his eyes and sighs. “I can’t believe I’m getting shrinked in the line for the women’s toilet.”

“That’s the best place to get shrinked, I’ll have you know,” says the old lady.

“So what is it?” I ask. “I thought she was the one.”

“She is.”

“So?”

“But what if I’m not the one for her?” he finally says, his eyes filled with such naked despair, it’s hard to hold his gaze.

I take a deep breath and grab him by the shoulders. “Look, Zack, obviously I don’t know you very well and I don’t know her at all, but you seem like a decent guy. Based on my experience, if you really, truly, deeply feel she’s the one, there’s a good chance she feels the same. She said she loved you, and she knew you two wouldn’t be able to stay away from each other. She knew she had to leave so she wouldn’t be in the way of your friendship with Wyatt, because she knew how much that friendship meant to you and she cares about your happiness. Of course, she might just be sick of the whole mess and wanting to start fresh, and I wouldn’t blame her at all. But my guess is she feels the same way about you the way you do about her. And maybe you two might have a proper chance somewhere away from Wyatt.”

His face transforms like he’s been illuminated by the brightest sun. “Really?”

I nod. “Really.”

“Really,” adds the little old lady.

“Okay then,” he says. “Maybe I’ll go find her.” He looks me in the eye. “Take care, Liz.”

“Go get ‘er, Zack. We’re rooting for you.”

“We’re rooting for you!” the old lady chimes in.

Zack leaves, and the old lady and I high-five behind his back.

****

When I’m back at the table, Joe wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close.

“That must’ve been some line,” he says.

“Yeah,” I respond. “I also gave some romantic advice while I was waiting.”

“Oh? To whom?”

“A guy I briefly met ages ago.” When Joe’s eyebrow ticks up, I clarify. “We were both wingmen for Roxie and her would-be squeeze. Nice guy, though. Hung up on his friend’s ex.”

“Wow,” Joe says. “It’s amazing the stuff you learn by going to the restroom. So what did you advise him?”

“To go get her. Find her and get her.”

“Okay. Are you sure she wants to be found?”

“Pretty sure.”

“Why?”

“Because I see how he feels about her. And something tells me his feeling might be returned.”

He pulls me even closer. I’m standing between his spread thighs now, his hands on my hips. “And how does he feel about her?”

I smile and stroke his beard. “The way I feel about you.”

He brings his lips close to mine. “And how’s that?”

“Like my soul would’ve never found peace if I hadn’t met you.”

Joe growls low in his throat and brings me into a kiss—

The crowd goes wild.

I pull back, disoriented for a moment, but I chuckle when I see the screens. “It looks like the Vikings just scored a touchdown,” I say.

“Damn straight,” Joe mutters as he nuzzles my neck.

The End