It was Friday night and Larry sat alone in the Regal Beagle. He was supposed to have had a date with the newest tenant in the building, but she'd unexpectedly come down with a cold - funny how that happened to so many of his dates. But if he had to be honest, that didn't bother him very much. The rest of the world may not understand it, but Larry knew the truth. No matter how many girls he'd slept with, there was only person his heart belonged to, one person he'd never be able to get into his bed.
This was the love of his life; he'd known it from the moment they'd met. The longer they knew each other, the more attached Larry became. He'd do anything for his friend, just for the pleasure of one quick smile or a touch on the shoulder. But he had to keep his feelings a secret, because he knew they weren't returned. Every time he saw his beloved on a date, or heard about his competition, he had to shrug it off as if it was no big deal.
Larry didn't know what he'd give for one evening alone with the one who made his pulse spike, to have whispered in his ear, "I love you." And if he only had the chance to lean in for one simple kiss, it would be paradise. He knew that if he ever came across Aladdin's lamp, he would only need one wish: to spend the night in bed with…
"Hey Larry; what's happening?"
He glanced over his shoulder and stifled a grin. "Hiya, Jack."