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"No, I can’t touch the History departraphy," Victoria told her, heading toward the bar

Liz’s head was so heavy and she was having trouble feeling her legs She didn’t kno she didn’t stu her want to tell Victoria about Brady It would be so much nicer to talk to her about hi him a secret If Victoria could so easily tell her about Kirk, why couldn’t she talk to Victoria about Brady?

"Anyway," Victoria said before Liz could spill her guts, "Kirk is a bit older and has his own house Went to get his PhD after spending four years abroad in So"

"Those aren’t exactly close, Victoria For sleeping with soraphy departraphy very well"

"We don’t talk about that," she said, rolling her eyes "Hold on" Victoria motioned the bartender over and ordered theht of another cocktail She didn’t want to feel sick again like last tiered her drinks

Victoria handed her a bright blue cocktail and s to like this"

"Why does that scare lass

"Cheers to you, bitch," she said, clinking her glass against Liz’s and taking a long swig Liz shook her head, but followed suit The drink was beyond fruity, way too sweet for her taste, and, as far as she could tell, straight liquor

"This is such a terrible idea," Liz muttered, but drank it nonetheless

Victoria launched into the full details of how she had raphy Kirk, and Liz tried to concentrate on the story, but she was having difficulty Victoria’s phone went off about halfway through the story and she paused to answer it Liz wasn’t surprised when it was Geography Kirk calling, asking to see her

"You don’t lanced down at her watch and saw that it was only one o’clock She still had an hour in herof opportunity to see Brady Perfect!

"Of course not Go see hiet her phone out to give his office a ring It always sent a thrill of exciteot to use her fake name She had hated that na

Who a a kiss on Liz’s cheek "Take a cab No DUIs tonight!"

"I’ll be careful!" Liz said as she stood with Victoria and exited the bar Victoria took the first cab that ca Liz alone on the street

Chapter 20

AN EMOTIONAL TRIGGER

Liz pulled out her phone as soon as the cab drove off She tapped Carmichael from her contact list and waited for Brady’s secretary to answer The ca the phones so he wouldn’timportant

"Senator Maxwell’s office How may I help you?" his secretary answered

"Sandy Carmichael for the Senator, please," she chirped

His secretary paused slightly on the other line before responding, "Yes, Ms Carmichael One moment"

Liz froze at the way she said her name Brady had had the same secretary all summer Liz wondered whether Nancy knew in some way…about her and Brady She couldn’t know for certain, but Liz used this line several times a week lately She should probably mention it to Brady, but she didn’t want to freak him out Maybe it was better to tell him than take a risk

"Ms Carmichael, how nice to hear from you," Brady said into the phone Liz squirmed where she stood at the sound of his voice She was pretty drunk and ready for him to come pick her up already

"Please tell me you’re not still at the office"

"I’m in Chapel Hill, actually"

"Perfect I’m drunk on Franklin Street Come pick me up I want you…now," she demanded She took a step forward, stuled into the phone like tripping was the funniest thing she had ever done

"Baby, how drunk are you?" he asked, laughter in his voice

"Just co to try to walk to theat it only a block down the street

"Maybe you shouldn’t h the line and sht not find me"

"I’ll find you"

"I’ll be at the bus stop"

"Be safe"

Liz narrowed her eyes at the bus stop to keep it fro one foot in front of the other It was harder than it looked Whatever that last drink had been that Victoria had ordered had fucked her up She needed sooing in and getting a water bottle She shook her head No, she had to meet Brady, and she didn’t trust herself to make it inside and back to the bus stop