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“An onion ring pile is hard to pass up.” She wouldn’t haveexpected herself to want to hear about Elizabeth’s day of odd jobs, and “onlypositive” gossip from the field, but here she was, wishing she had the nightfree for an onion pile and just that. The perky weirdo had apparently workedher way onto the endearing list. How had that happened? “I can’t, but I’m gonnatake you up on it another night.”

Elizabeth followed her gaze to the bar and recognition landed.“Oh. It’s the whole gang of you. A squad reunion?” She said it delicately, asif the idea didn’t thrill her but she also didn’t want to be obvious. Devyndidn’t blame her. She saw how their group must look to others, then and now,and retroactively hated her younger self for it.

Devyn shifted uneasily, now aware of the fact that she didn’tnecessarily want to be lumped in with the women who used to be her very bestfriends. “Yes, just catching up, as they say. We don’t really stay in touch.”

Dexter raised his beer and offered a lazy grin. “Send the ladiesmy best.”

“Will do. They’ll love it. Trust me.”

Devyn smiled one last time at Elizabeth, nodded, and took herleave. A final glance over her shoulder showed the duo back to whatever funconversation she’d interrupted.

“Did you see the heels on Melinda Masters at the firemen’s pancakebreakfast last weekend?” Cricket was asking the table when Devyn returned.“Horrendous. I was embarrassed for her and all her extended family.”

Heather laughed quietly. “Not only did I see them, but I snapped aphoto so we could all never forget.” She located said photo and turned itaround so the table could gawk. The heels weren’t that awful, and it was nowclear to Devyn that these women were looking for any shred of evidence thatthey might be superior to everyone else. She cringed internally and buckled infor a night of catty judgment. Not far away, a kinder table with an onion ringpile offered a nice distraction. The view wasn’t a bad one either. She stole aglance at Elizabeth in that simple white T-shirt that was anything but, andsmothered a smile. Nope, not a bad view at all.

* * *

“What time do I need to hit the road?” Dexter asked, and reachedfor one of the awesome onion rings.

Elizabeth glanced at her watch, remembering her text exchange withThalia. “She said she’d meet me here for drinks at nine. So maybe I should makemyself free by eight forty-five.”

“That gives me a few more minutes to devour these bad boys,” hesaid, dunking one of the rings in the specialty sauce Elizabeth adored. RonnieJr., the head chef, was killing it these days.

“Do you remember your plan for tonight?” he asked, in coach modenow.

Elizabeth sighed. “Just be myself, and not get caught up in the excitementof what could be. Thalia is…Thalia.”

“And?”

“Let her chase me for a change.” She glanced down at her outfit.“I kept it completely casual tonight for that very reason. I didn’t want tolook like I was trying too hard.”

“Excellent. That’s what I’m talkin’ about.” He tossed back therest of his beer and stood, giving his arms a traditional flex. Several womenfrom nearby tables turned their way in unison. Elizabeth smiled at her lap. Hereally did have an amusing effect on the ladies.

“Have a good night, Dex, my good buddy. You seeing Misty?”

He grinned big and bold, which told her everything she needed toknow. He was into this new girl, and she was witnessing a whole new Dexter. Herubbed his chin. “Outlook is good.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. I like the way you sparkle when Isay her name.”

“Nope.” He dropped his hand in protest. “Dudes don’t sparkle.”

“They do, too.”

He exhaled. “Fine. Maybe I do. What do I know? I don’t recognizemy damn self, so anything is possible.” He pointed at her. “You be good toyourself.”

“On it,” she said, to his retreating form.

On her own now, she settled back into the booth and checked herwatch. Fifteen minutes to Thalia. She should figure out what drink she’d order,imagining that it probably said something about her. She didn’t enjoy that shecared as much as she seemed to about the way Thalia viewed her, but some thingsare just best embraced. Elizabeth flipped through the folio, admiring thephotos of various cocktails she knew very little about. Yes, something moresophisticated than her go-to IPA would surely set the right tone for “Youreally want to get to know me better. I’m not a total doofus.” She flipped thesmall booklet to the back cover and stared at a martini with a trio of oliveson a stick. Would you look at that? She could be Bond. Elizabeth Bond. Perfect,because Ms. Elizabeth Bond could be sexy without trying too hard. She smiled atall the right moments, but not too much, and knew how to toss her hair withbarely a gesture. Feeling inspired, she raised her hand for Irene, the serverand part-time library attendant.

“Figure out something you’d like, Liz?” Irene asked. She lookedsuper cute today.

“Did you get highlights?” she asked.

Irene beamed and lightly touched her head. “You’re the only personwho’s noticed.”

“They look great. I’m not just saying that. You have a whole newpop to you.”

Irene smiled and thanked her, still blushing, and Elizabeth wasglad she’d taken the time to say something. Getting back to business, shepointed at the photo on the back of the booklet. “I’ll have one of these,please. A martini.” She even felt a little fancy saying it.