Abbie, Jake, and Michelle approach the bar

The bar was surprisingly crowded. The restaurant dining room had been full, but not packed, and with the tables spread out, it felt roomy. The bar, on the other hand, was overflowing with people. Michelle, Jake, and Abbie weaved through the masses and made their way up to the front. Miraculously, as they arrived, two patrons vacated a pair of stools at the bar, and so Michelle and Abbie quickly sat down. Jake stood between, and just slightly behind them.

Michelle leaned over the bar. "Yoohoo! Oh, Tyler!" she sang out in a sweet voice. The bartender looked up at her. He was in his mid-20s, tall, muscular, slight beard, tattoos along both arms and around parts of his neck. He didn't quite seem a fit for this particular bar, but no one was complaining -- least of all, Michelle.

"Be right there, Michelle!" he called out before serving four beers to a group down at the far end of the bar.

"Tyler and I are besties," said Michelle. "I've been here before."

"There's flirting, and then there's flirting," whispered Jake to Abbie. "Does she give Tyler the same attention she gave me at dinner?"

Abbie shrugged, and craned her neck up to Jake. "You let me know if you want out."

Jake kissed her sweetly. "I will."

Tyler made it over to Michelle and leaned in to listen to her order. "What'll it be, Michelle?"

"Tyler, these are my friends Abbie and Jake. Whatever they're having, add it to my tab."

Tyler leaned over to Abbie. "Should I tell your friend that she doesn't have a tab right now, or just let it go and give you lovely ladies your drinks for free?"

Jake leaned in and commented, "Someone's gotta pay for mine, I guess. Open up a tab for all three of us." Jake might have been nervous that Tyler was treading on his territory, but at the same time, he trusted that things with Abbie were in the right place, and he honestly didn't have much invested in Michelle. No, Tyler wasn't any kind of threat to Jake.

Abbie and Michelle ordered apple martinis, and Jake got a beer. Tyler mixed the cocktails and delivered the three drinks relatively quickly.

"Cheers!" Abbie held up her glass. The others joined her.

"To new friends and wild adventures," Michelle said. They all clinked glasses.