"So, how was it?" Irving asked when Joe arrived at work the next day.

"How was what?" Joe asked, feigning ignorance.

Are you kidding me? You know perfectly well what I'm talking about! How'd it go with Sabrina? Was she

surprised to see you?"

Joe shrugged. "She was surprised, all right."

"Well, now what's that supposed to mean?" Irving asked.

"Nothing. Just... forget about it." Joe said, wishing he hadn't taken Irving's advice to return to Dusoris Lane.

Irving stared at him, taking the cross armed stance that Joe hated so much. The one that meant business.

"All right, Joe. What's wrong?"

But Joe just sighed and looked away.

"Well, something's up." Irving concluded. "Otherwise you wouldn't be ignoring me right now."

"All right. I'm sorry Irving. It's just that...Well, I should have never gone back there. I should have left things the

way they were."

"What happened?" Irving asked.

"It seems that another man has stolen Sabrina's heart. He was at her place when I came over and the two of

them looked so happy that... Well, it wasn't my place to interfere."

"Gee, I'm sorry, Joe. The way you talked about her, I thought things would work out between you two."

"It's all right, Irving. The bachelor life seems to be suiting me just fine." Joe said.

"Come on, Joe. You can't really believe that you're going to be alone forever. There are plenty of girls out there

just waiting for a guy like you to sweep them off of their feet.

"I hope you're right, Irving." Joe said.