"Honestly, I'm wondering what the point of tonight is," Tyler admitted. "You have a boyfriend, so you aren't interested in dating me. Your only interest has to be sex. I'm fully aware there are plenty of guys who screw around and maybe because you only see each other on weekends you have an open relationship and Lawrence doesn't care. But you can't be thinking I'm gonna let you fuck me just because you bought me dinner. I already told you that wasn't going to happen. I'm not easy and I'm not letting you do to me what you did in college. So, really, Jack? Why am I here?"

"Maybe I'm just looking to be friends. I always liked you back in college. And seeing you at the diner made me curious."

Tyler's eyebrows shot up. "Curious about what?"

"You. The Tyler I knew was pretty smart. So, I'm wondering --"

"How I could be working such a low class job as a waiter in a diner?"

Jack shook his head. "I didn't say that."

Tyler scoffed. "You didn't have to. You're a doctor and you think, wow, he's working in a diner, a dead end job. I know that's what guys like you think."

"Okay, fine. I admit there's something to that."

"First, back it up a little. You didn't know me, Jack. We were barely acquainted and I can count on one hand how many conversations we had before today. You fucked me. One night. That was the limit of knowing me. So don't pretend some knowledge you didn't have."

Jack winced, but decided it might be best to keep his mouth shut.

"Second, we all choose different paths in life. You're a doctor, good for you. I couldn't do that in a million years. I couldn't be a mechanic or a doorman either and I bet you couldn't either, but that doesn't make those professions somehow less than yours."

"Tyler --"

"I bet you wouldn't last ten minutes serving guys like you."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Guys like me?"

"Yeah, those who have superiority complexes. Anyway, yeah I'm working as a waiter. But the place isn't so bad, the pay isn't horrible and the tips are decent. I like the people. Most of them anyway. And my aunt owns it so she gives me a lot of freedom and leeway. Which leads me to what else I do."

"What's that?" Jack asked warily.

"Acting. I do theater, acting classes, I've done commercials, pilots for television shows. I've been extras in movies. I'm hoping to get bigger parts, better plays. But I have to work for it. And like everyone else, that means sometimes busting my chops waiting tables."

"I didn't know."

Tyler smirked. "Yeah. And I'm sure you probably don't think much of trying to be a famous actor either."

"Is that your goal? To be famous?"

He shrugged. "I wouldn't turn it down. I've always wanted to do this. Which you would have known back in college if you had actually known me."

"Hmm. Well, tell me, Tyler. How much did you know about me? Other than you thought I was gorgeous, you told me that several times, and wanted me to fuck you, which you also told me several times. Did you know I wanted to be a doctor?"

"Touché." He smiled and took a sip of wine. "I guess I'm as guilty of being shallow, too."

"Listen," Jack said. "I've made plenty of mistakes. But I do remember liking you as a person, what I did know of you, and I just ... seeing you made me want to get to know you better. As a friend."

"As a friend," Tyler repeated.

"Yeah, you got so many you can turn down the chance for more?"

"No, I don't." Tyler smiled again and Jack tried not to think how beautiful he really was. "Okay, friends it is. With no benefits, by the way."

Jack laughed. "Got it."

"And you are still buying dinner, too."

Jack held up his hands in surrender. "Deal."