She didn’t mean to eavesdrop. But in her defense, it’s hard not to when the guy at the bar is loudly spiraling into his whiskey about his best friend. Who’s a single dad. And brave. And has a silver medal.

The guy—Buck, apparently—keeps insisting he’s “fine,” but he’s got the energy of someone one spilled drink away from launching into a one-man, off-Broadway production of Brokeback Mountain: Los Angeles Edition.

And the guy sitting across from him? Dead silent.

That’s Ravi. She knows because Buck’s called him Eddie at least three times by mistake, and Ravi hasn’t corrected him once.

When Buck finally stands to get another drink, he leans a little too hard on the booth behind her, muttering something about “fireproof feelings” and “co-parenting with emotional consequences.”

She glances up. “First date?”

Ravi exhales like he’s aged ten years in the past hour. “Worse.”

She winces. “Well, we can’t all have silver stars.”

That earns his first not-grimacing smile of the night.

“Hey, look—”

He pauses. Assesses.

Definitely more appealing than a brooding bisexual in denial.

“Listen, I don’t usually do this, but if you pretend to be into me for the next eight minutes, I’ll do anything. Maybe pay off your student loans.”

He’s clearly desperate to be freed from this emotional hostage situation.

She laughs. “Okay, but I don’t think you’re gonna need that distraction…”

She nods toward the entrance just as Tommy walks in.

“Oh—” Ravi starts.

They both turn to watch like it’s a tennis match at emotional Wimbledon.

Buck doesn’t even hesitate. One look from Tommy and he’s gone. No goodbye. Just trailing after his ex like a confused golden retriever with a hero complex.

Ravi watches the door close, then sips his drink.

“Well. That took care of itself.”

Yikes. But who is he to judge Buck’s bad decisions? Eddie Diaz?

He looks back at her. “Lemme buy you that drink.”