Try and hook up Mona and one of the girls.

You nod to Mona. "Saved my night," you say quietly. "I owe you."

She nods vigorously. "Um-hum." She grins. "Some real cuties over there," she says.

"Oh?" you say.

"Uh-huh," Mona says. "Send one my way and we'll call it even."

You look over your shoulder at the table. Tara and Jennifer are laughing about something. Luna is sitting back, looking dreamily around. Kath is leaning forward, attacking her big platter. Fairouzeh is toying with her salad, looking a little out of place.

"Oh? Who do you think?" you ask Mona.

"That one," Mona says.

With Mona as your wing woman, you can hardly lose tonight. Even if your throbbing chest reminds you you'll have to take it easy, and might have a footprint-shaped bruise to explain away later.