Oliver and Mark arrived and planted themselves on either side of Beth. Oliver leaned his elbows on the bar. “When are you going to give it up?” he asked, holding out his glass. Simon refilled it.

“I’m not,” Simon said, “because I love her.”

“That’s really sweet,” Mark said. Simon filled his glass, too.

Oliver made retching noises and shook his head. “Do you see this girl right here?” he asked, gesturing to Beth as if he were Vanna White and she was a puzzle to be solved, or a prize to be won. “You are missing out.”

Simon blushed. He reached across the bar and patted Beth’s hand. “I’m really sorry,” he said. “But I’m not missing out on this chance to work things out with Colette…...

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