6

Alex nursed his beer, feeling as though he had made a mistake in confiding in David. It wasn't so much that David had been unkind - it was more that he had poked fun at his friend's lack of action.

"So, let me get this straight," David said, raising his eyebrows. "You meet this girl - this amazing girl - at the hospital, and you don't even get her phone number?"

Alex shrugged, feeling a little defensive. "It wasn't exactly the right time - I mean, she was at the hospital, and who knows if she's dealing with some serious sickness,I didn't want to come on too strong."

David grinned, taking a swig of his own beer. "Sounds to me like you missed your chance, dude. I mean, how do you know she's even interested?"

Alex felt a pang of annoyance. "I can just tell, you know? There were, like, sparks flying or something."

David chuckles, shaking his head. "Do you even listen to yourself sometimes, man? How are you going to find her again without a number or a last name or anything?"

"I don't know," Alex muttered, feeling a little defeated.

"Exactly," David said, leaning forward. "You're just going to have to hope she comes back to the hospital or hang out there yourself or something. Meanwhile, I'll be over here actually talking to girls."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Please," he said, gesturing around the empty bar. "Who exactly are you talking to?"

David shrugged. "I don't need to be in a crowded place to meet people. I've got, like, five matches on Tinder as we speak."

Alex shook his head, grinning despite himself. "You're such a dork."

"Hey, better than being a lovesick puppy with no game," David retorted.

Alex chuckled, feeling a little better. "Fine, fine, I'll give you that one. Still, I'm not giving up on this girl. I'll find a way to see her again."

David raised his beer in mock salute. "Good luck with that, my friend."

They clinked their bottles together, the sound echoing around the mostly-empty bar. For a moment, Alex forgot about the girl and the hospital and just enjoyed the simple pleasure of having a good friend to banter with. But as the night wore on and the beer flowed, he couldn't help but wonder if David was right - had he already missed his chance with someone truly special?