Flirt

     “Another round, guys?”
     “Bring ‘em on!” Malcolm pushed his empty glass toward the bartender and she took it away.
     “This has to be the last one,” said Tom. “I have to work tomorrow.”
     “Sure, sure,” Malcolm said, patting him on the back. “I’m just glad I got you out of the house. I haven’t seen you much since the breakup.”
     Tom sighed.
     Malcolm leaned forward and looked him in the eye. “Look buddy, I know this is hard for you, but you need to get past her. It’s been four months and it’s time for you to move on.”
     “That’s easy for you to say,” said Tom, pushing him back. “I’m not as outgoing as you and I never dated much. I don’t know how to flirt with women. It doesn’t matter anyway, since I’m not even attracted to anyone right now.”
     “What about the cute bartender?” Malcolm nodded toward her over Tom’s shoulder.
     Tom gave her a quick glance. “Why her?”
     “Because you’ve been looking at her all night.”
     Tom blushed. He didn’t think Malcolm had noticed. “I don’t know, Mal,” he said. “I wouldn’t even know how to approach her. I’d probably get nervous and say something stupid.”
     Malcolm put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and leaned in close. “Tom, you’re a great guy. You’re smart, handsome and incredibly nice. She'd be crazy not to like you. Start by telling her she’s pretty and just be yourself. Crack a joke. What have you got to lose?”
     Tom didn’t say a word. He kept his eyes down and played with a coaster on the bar.
     “Think of it this way, Tom,” Malcolm said. “Do you want to leave here tonight wondering what could have happened if you just took a chance? Do you want to walk away never knowing if she was the love of your life?”
     Those words struck a nerve with Tom, and Malcolm could tell from the look in his eyes. When the bartender returned with two more mojitos, Malcolm slid to the side and gave Tom a subtle kick.
     Tom took a deep breath, then looked up at the bartender. Their eyes met.
     “Can I get you anything else?” she asked him.
     Tom’s felt his heart pounding. “I just wanted to tell you… you’re very pretty.”
     “Sure,” she said with a playful smirk. “That’s easy for you to say. You’ve had four drinks.”
     “No, no,” said Tom. “I thought you were pretty after only two drinks.”

     “Maybe next time, buddy,” said Malcolm, as he walked Tom home.