Chapter 20

Liz settled herself on the bar stool, carefully arranging her skirt. The dress Dara had insisted she buy was swirl of rose and cream, with a full skirt, tight bodice and spaghetti straps. It was so different than the severely tailored clothes she'd built her wardrobe around for the past few years. But once she tried it on she was sold. It was sexy and outrageous and demure all at the same time.

Malone's was just beginning to fill up as people in the area left work. Many of them hit the bar for a quick one, giving the crowded Interstate time for the traffic to thin out. It was a welcoming place, with its dark paneling, it's old-fashioned bar with the high stools, and the etched mirror behind the bar. Dara insisted they sit in the middle of the bar so they had a good view of the television.

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Liz griped for the fifth time. "It's a waste of time. I haven't even heard from Matt since this morning. He's probably off with his buddies by now."