Nine out of ten women suffer the same post-breakup blues.


    You want to see your ex, but pride just won''t let you.


    Anastasia could tell Monica needed to let it all out. She nudged her, "Go on, have a good cry. You''ll feel better. Like you always say, ''Men are everywhere—there''s no shortage. We''re not about to run out of options!"


    Monica sniffled, "Where are all these men, though? Two-legged ones? That''s just eunuchs. I want a three-legged man-and the third leg better be the thickest, the biggest."


    Anastasia stared at her, momentarily at a loss. Was this really what heartbreak looked like?


    She nced around the café—thank goodness, hardly anyone was there to overhear Monica''s wild rant.


    "Anastasia, you''reing with me tonight. We''re going man-hunting," Monica demanded, clinging to her hand. "He has to be hot, and good in bed. Jason? Please. All he had going for him was stamina, thick legs, and a killer body-big deal..."


    Anastasia gaped, unsure if Monica was bragging orining. Was this heartbreak, or a humblebrag?


    She couldn''t help butugh. "Alright, I get it. Your Jasonsts forever, thick legs, great in bed, perfect body. No wonder you''re so upset. Losing a gem like that is rough!"


    "Gem, my ass," Monica huffed,psing into her hometown ng.


    Anastasia grinned. "Monica, you''re drinking coffee, not tequ. Are you sure you''re not drunk?"


    Monica pouted, looking like a kicked puppy. “Ana, my heart is aching, okay?"


    "I''d be miserable too," Anastasia teased. "Who wouldn''t feel awful losing a ''gem''?"


    "Come drinking with me," Monica dered dramatically. "Tonight, we don''t go home till we''re wasted."


    "I''m down, but let me get a hall pass from Herman," Anastasia joked, grabbing her phone. "We''ll go out, and I''ll have Herman pick us up after."<fn032c> This content belongs to find?novel</fn032c>


    "Who''s the boss in your rtionship, huh? You need permission to have a drink?" Monica scoffed. "Ana, you get yourself a man and forget your girls. You''ll get tipsy, go home to Herman for your little nightly workout, and what about me? I''m left alone and cold. Are we even friends?"


    Anastasia paused mid-text, cracking up. She looked at Monica. "Want me to call a guy for you too?"


    Monica shook her head, suddenly deted. "Nope."


    Anastasia reached over, jokingly checking Monica''s forehead. "How about Jason? Should I call him?"


    At the mention of his name, Monica''s eyes brightened, but the hope vanished just as quickly. "No way. I''m not that desperate. I''m never crawling back."


    Right then, there was a knock on the window.


    They both turned around. Jason was standing outside, his sharp features reflected in the ss.


    Monica''s cheeks flushed bright red, her heart thumping wildly. She shot Anastasia a look—"Did you call him?!"


    Anastasia shrugged. "Not me."


    She handed Monica her phone. "See? I only texted Herman. Jason''s not even in my contacts."


    Meanwhile, Jason hade in through the front door. Monica panicked; there was nowhere to hide. She wanted to crawl under the table.


    "I''m going to the bathroom!" Monica whispered, desperate to escape.


    Anastasia caught her arm,ughing. "What are you hiding for? You guys are over. Just treat him like any other guy on the street."


    Jason was already heading their way, so Monica had no choice but to sit up and face the music.


    He slid into the seat next to her, cool as ever. But instead of talking to Monica, he greeted Anastasia. "Hey, what a coincidence. I was just passing by and saw your car."


    "Yeah, what are the odds?" Anastasia couldn''t help smirking. Her car was parked in the underground garage-no way Jason saw it. He was totally bluffing.


    Monica''s car, though, was parked right outside.


    As Jason settled in, Monica felt surrounded by his familiar presence. Her nerves rattled, she scooted further away and stared out the window, pretending he didn''t exist.


    Jason nced at Monica, sipping her coffee and feigning interest in the scenery, then turned to Anastasia. "I heard Pattie''s surgery was a sess she can talk again now."  s


    "Yeah, she''s doing great. We even found her a new school,” Anastasia replied, keeping the chat going. She knew Monica was dying to ask. questions so she did it for her. So, dit Jason, what have you been up to? Haven''t seen you in forever."  s


    "Been on a business trip, working a case out of state. Just got back two days ago Jason answered obviously for Monica''s benefit tom. "Now that it''s done, my boss gave me some time off. I''m just out for a wafk, grabbing a coffee, thinking about heading to Phoenix for a bit."  s


    Anastasia jumped right in. "Phoenix, huh? That''s a great ce. Monica, didn''t you say you wanted to check out Phoenix? Perfect chance for you two to go together.”