A/N: This one goes out to reader Seedfall, who reqeusted a little LarryXAdrian. I actually enjoyed writing this one, so I may very well write another involving these two later on.
Larry sat at the bar, nursing a glass of whiskey on the rocks. Taking a sip of the liquid, he grimaced. He was really much more of a wine guy.
Man, who was I kidding? Doesn't take a genius to see Nick and Maya are meant for each other like peanut butter and jelly. Like Romeo and Juliet. Like… Two things that go together.
The man was so lost in his own world, he barely took notice when someone walked up beside him. They tapped him on the shoulder. Larry turned to view the person, and his eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
Standing before him was perhaps the most ravishing beauty he'd ever seen. Short blonde hair, thin glasses on her face. Not to mention the sleeveless black turtleneck, a garment that he'd always fancied on a woman.
"Excuse me, sir. Is this seat taken?" Her angelic voice asked, as she pointed to the barstool next to him.
Realizing that he was borderline drooling, Larry composed himself and answered. "Oh, uh, n-no. It's free. Take a seat."
Smiling, she thanked him and took the seat. "Bartender, double shot of Jack on the rocks, if you would."
"Double, huh? Rough day?" Larry asked.
The woman sighed. "That's an understatement."
"Really, what's got ya down? Musta been somethin' pretty heavy to bring ya to a place like this."
The bartender handed her the drink and she quickly took a sip, grimacing. "Blech, more of a red wine girl." She said to herself before turning back to Larry. "Oh, nothing much. I just watched a girl I care deeply for run off with someone else, whom I know I can't compete with."
Larry almost laughed at the irony. "You too, huh? Sounds like we're kindred spirits."
The woman smiled. "Seems that way, doesn't it? And we chose the same coping mechanism, it seems."
Waving to get the bartenders attention, Larry called out. "Yo, barkeep, two shots of Fireball over here for me and the lady." The bartender quickly made the drinks and set them down. Larry handed one to the woman. "How about a drink? To two losers."
Giggling, the woman took the shot glass and the two toasted before downing the shots. They both coughed and sputtered as the burning liquid slid down their throats.
"Oh BOY does that burn!" The woman cried.
Still coughing, Larry spoke. "Yeah. Helps distract from the real pain, if ya ask me."
The woman waved at the bartender. "Bartender! Another round!"
"You serious?" Larry asked, still composing himself from the last drink.
Turning and smiling at him, the woman spoke. "Of course. Helps distract from the real pain, right?"
Larry smirked as the bartender set their drinks down. Before clinking their glasses together, Larry asked her a question.
"So, what's my new friend's name, might I ask?"
She gave him another smile and answered before downing the shot. "Adrian. Adrian Andrews."