Page 185 of Wrench

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Evelyn.

Christmas rock songs blasted through the bar as I wandered around, searching for

Isaac. On my way, Archer bumped into me because he was too busy staring at a girl¡¯s

breasts. ¡°Oh hey, if it isn¡¯t the birthday girl. Gonna pull out your birthday suit tonight?¡±

¡°Yeah, why don¡¯t you ask Isaac how he¡¯d like that?¡±

¡°Ha! Good one. All right, I¡¯ve got something to take care of. But we¡¯re doing shots

later!¡±

Heading straight to the girl he was staring at, a slight limp in his leg, I smiled. It was

hard to believe such a goofball once haunted my dreams.

Standing in the corner and standing out in their blouses were Ellen and Lizzie. As soon

as they saw me, Ellen¡¯s shoulders slumped. ¡°Oh, thank God you¡¯re here. Happy birthday

and Merry Christmas, but this is not my scene.¡±

¡°Honestly, I¡¯m just amazed you actually showed up!¡± I hugged Ellen. ¡°Thank you. I

really appreciate it.¡±

¡°They seem to respect you here,¡± she said with a gentle smile. ¡°It does ease my mind a

bit knowing who you¡¯re spending your time with, at least. I¡¯m glad I came.¡± Her smile

widened and she clapped her hands together. ¡°But I¡¯m in need of a bubble bath. Happy

Birthday, dear.¡±

¡°It¡¯s not my scene either, but damn,¡± Lizzie said with her straw between her teeth as

she eyed up a man in a leather vest with a different colored patch than the rebels. ¡°It sure

could be.¡±

¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± I said. ¡°I know it looks like I lucked out, but you don¡¯t want to know

what I had to go through to get here.¡±

Telling them I¡¯d catch up with them later, I continued to search for Isaac. By the time I

weaved through the tables and leather outfits, I was holding two beers. One from Ripper

and the other from Maverick. Alone at a table was Crow. Although he knew it was my

birthday, when I walked by all he said was ¡°Merry Christmas.¡± Still, I smiled, it was a huge

accomplishment compared to how he started.

Finally, I found Isaac chatting with Tank near the kitchen doors. I skipped over to him

and planted a kiss on his cheek before he noticed me.

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