“No one would believe it anyway,” Luke said.

“Now,” Gavin said, “let us drink to the women who saved us, not just from losing our bet, but from becoming cynical, joyless men who no longer believed in one of the most powerful feelings on earth. When we made our wager, we were bluffing, but our hearts called our bluff.” He lifted his glass. “I most humbly salute Chloe, Miranda, and Allie, the only women in the world who could love us for who we are.”

After they drank, he raised his glass once more, his face lit by a flashing smile. “A CEO, a quarterback, and a writer walked into a bar . . .”

Gavin waited for the ripple of laughter to die down before he said, “And they came out better men.”