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With a quick prayer of thanks, Claire was relieved to see the bar was actually upscale hat looked to be rabbed a couple of seats at the bar as Suzy yelled, "Hey, our phone numbers for anyone who buys us a drink"

"Suz, are you crazy?" asked a horrified Claire

By the ti in front of theht? Don’t sweat it; ill give them fake numbers, unless they’re really hot"

Claire picked up a drink that looked the most harmless It was very sweet and tasted of pineapple and strawberry "You better watch yourself; that baby will knock you on your ass," advised Suzy

"It doesn’t taste like alcohol; I think it’s safer than those shots" Halfway through the first drink, two men approached them and took credit for a couple of the drinks Claire was surprised to find that she could relax and enjoy flirting and conversation

The ly easy to talk to and having the Suzy for the phone number payout she’d proht; itChris and Joe teased her about switching to Iced Tea afterwards, but she told them she had to drive ho the way

Around ten, Claire told Suzy she was tired and was ready to leave Much to her surprise, Suzy insisted on leaving as well When they stepped outside, Claire said, "Suz, you didn’t have to leave, you were having fun; go back in for awhile"

"Nah, I’ ready to bail anyway"

"Are you sure? You looked like you were really enjoying Chris"

"That was just a 'drink you', nothing else," replied Suzy

"A 'drink you'?" asked Claire

"Yeah, instead of thank you, when someone buys you a drink and you chat them up afterwards it’s a drink you"

"Ue, I’ve never heard of it," laughed Claire "Sorry I needed to leave early; I just wanted to have a good night’s sleep before working this weekend"

"Oh, that’s right; you and hot buns are working Why, I wonder, are you suddenly working weekends when you never have before?"

"It’s because of the er with Mericom," replied Claire

"You uys have to work seven days a week to keep up with his demands?" sneered Suzy

"Suz, I don’t think it’s that; it’s just the extra ti Jason’s other work to fall behind I’m sure Grayson isn’t as bad as you ht, the man needs to learn how to loosen up I bet he doesn’t even own a pair of boxers; briefs all the way no doubt," said Suzy

"Uet on the subject of Grayson’s underwear choices? It seems to be that you have a very suspect amount of interest in Grayson," teased Claire

Suzy stalked ahead of her and gru an observation, no need to get your panties in a wad girlfriend" Claire ran to catch up with her giving Suzy a brief hug as they walked on

~~~

Claire scanned the area and saw no sign of Billy She was almost to her front door when she heard a voice behind her and looked around to find that Billy had indeed seen her arrive "Hey Claire, where is your boyfriend tonight?" asked Billy in a sullen tone

"Er… He’s out of town tonight, he should be back soon though," said Claire

"How co anyone?" accused Billy

Claire was starting to get angry as well at the nasty tone in his voice "Billy, I really think my private life is my business, don’t you?" demanded Claire Billy’s face reddened as Claire stuck her key in her lock and quickly opened her door

Before she could close it, Billy said, "I thought you were different, I guess I rong" Not bothering to reply, Claire sla for another place to live It was obvious that Billy was going to continue to be a proble a boyfriend would help especially since said boyfriend wasn’t likely to be at her place again Great, like hbor stalking reeaat The confrontation with Billy took so After a quick shower, Claire cliry expression on Billy’s face; ht about him after all

Chapter Twelve

Saturday s at thewith her mother’s medicine Claire went inside and spent an enjoyable hour eating breakfast and chatting Herhoell she was doing this week made Claire that much more determined to keep her mother in her home no o to the office It felt strange to see the usually full parking garage bare but for a few other cars The office door was ajar when she arrived on their floor, and Jason was already seated at his desk with his door open Claire stored her handbag and walked through his door to see what he needed her to work on Jason leaned back in his leather chair and studied her as she approached his desk

"Thanks for co in today, I hope it didn’t interfere with your weekend plans," said Jason The amused s to