The night was cool and clear, just as the day had been. His footsteps echoed off the darkened buildings as he walked, sounding like someone was following just behind him. He shot a paranoid look over his shoulder even though he knew he was alone. Well, as alone as someone could be in a big city.

He pulled his phone out and rang the first number in his recent calls log. He got Kira’s voice mail and left a message, trying Lee next. After two rings, a male voice answered.

“Hey, Lee,” Zack greeted him. “What are you doing tonight?”

“Nothing, why?”

“Want to grab a beer with me and Alexa? We’re going to try out a new club that opened right by your place. I’m headed there now.”

“Yeah, I’ll meet you,” Lee agreed. “I was just thinking I needed to get out of the house. Is it a gay bar?”

“Do I ever drag you to any other kind?”

“Of course not. If you did, I might actually meet a girl.”

“Now why would you want to do a silly thing like that?”

Zack sensed Lee rolling his eyes and laughed. He gave him the address and hung up. Just as he did, Kira texted him and asked what was up. Zack suppressed a sigh. Kira never spoke on the phone if she could avoid it. He typed a quick reply, inviting her out. A few seconds later, she accepted. Zack grinned and sent one more text, to Alexa this time: Put on something special, babe. You’ve got a hot date tonight. Alexa sent him a series of rude emojis in response.

Zack arrived at the club fifteen minutes later. It was a medium-size building stuck between an ice-cream parlor and a sex shop. In LA, that was far from an unusual combination. There was a small parking lot on the right side and a fenced-in beer garden. Clusters of people talked and smoked beneath a large, neon sign that read The Library in blue letters. Zack smirked. If his parents asked him what he did this weekend, he knew what he was going to say.

Zack waited outside with his hands in his pockets until a familiar green Toyota pulled into the parking lot. He jogged up to it just as a lanky, black-haired man got out.

Zack waited while the man paid the attendant, and then approached when it was clear.

“Nguyen,” Zack said, catching the man’s dark eyes and giving him a solemn nod.

“Hall,” the man replied, brushing a lock of silky hair away from his round face. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Zack held out his arms. “Heeeeere’s Zacky!”

“I think ‘Good morning, Vietnam’ would be more appropriate, as far as movie greetings go.”

The two stared at each other for three full seconds before bursting out laughing. Zack closed the distance between them and gave his friend a hug.

“Easy now,” Lee said, patting Zack on the back. “You might give people ideas.”