The sun was setting as I pulled up to the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, the city lights beginning to sparkle against the fading sky. I stepped out of the cab, feeling the familiar buzz of anticipation for the Tech Conference I was about to attend.

Checking in at the reception desk, I was greeted by the usual flurry of paperwork and key cards. As I signed the register, a voice called out from behind me.

“Carl? Is that you?” I turned to see a tall, black man approaching with a wide grin on his face. It took me a moment, but then recognition dawned. “Chris!? Wow, you were the last person I expected to meet here.”

I was genuinely surprised to see him. The last time I had encountered Chris was a year ago at the airport, waiting for my flight to Japan. We’d hit it off really well and gotten to know each other rather intimately.

It was a coincidence that we were both heading to the same country, albeit for different reasons. I hadn’t expected to see him again in LA. Though I couldn’t say I minded. He still looked as good as he did then.

Chris extended his hand, and we shook warmly. “I’m doing great, man. Been keeping busy with this tech scene. You remember our last hookup at the Airport, right? You were heading to Japan.”

I nodded, recalling our chance encounter. “Of course! Small world, huh?” I said nonchalantly, but a sly grin broke on my face. “What brings you here?” “Same as you, I’m guessing. The conference. Got a friend with me, too. He’s over there,” Chris gestured to a similarly tall, but more muscular, black man standing nearby, “That’s Willie. Willie, come meet Carl.”

Willie joined us; he and Chris were about the same height, but it was evident that Willie had done some working out that Chris hadn’t. His clothes strained against the muscles under them.

After finishing our check-in, we headed to our rooms and agreed to meet in the bar in about half an hour. I had a nicely appointed room on the thirtieth floor, with a balcony overlooking Downtown.

Later, at the bar, we settled into a cozy booth, the conversation flowed easily, and we reminisced about how Chris and I had first met. Both Chris and Willie’s grins widened as I recounted our first meeting.

“It isn’t every day that someone openly approaches you in the restroom of all places,” I said. “Especially when the first thing he wants to talk about is how nice he thinks my ass is,” Willie’s eyebrow shot up, and his head swung around to Chris.

“Seriously, Bruh,” he began. “Even before drinks?” Chris just shrugged.

“Well, it was really nice,” he said, winking at me. “And he’s packin’ also.” That got Willie to turn back to me with a questioning look.

“Aww, Y’all just yankin’ my chain now.” He settled back and took a long pull from his beer. “That shit doesn’t happen in real life. That’s like a movie plot or something.”

I looked at Chris with a sly grin, remembering our encounter now with crystal clarity. “I’m game if you are, Chris,” I heard myself admit. Chris nodded and elbowed Willie.