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rest of the week crept by, and it was finally Friday afternoon. Not that the new job was that daunting, but Lexi just needed a break from it all. At least she could see progress from her first week on the job—the unpaid insurance funds were slowly trickling in. Maybe this progress would mean job security, Lexi thought as she entered in more claims.
    Missy soundlessly appeared in the doorway of Lexi’s office. “Hey, girl, do you want to come out tonight? A few of us are meeting at the Rocky Tavern, if you’re interested.” Missy’s expression was warm and inviting.
    Lexi had been thinking of a date with her pajamas and takeout food, as Ashley already had plans—she and Mike were meeting his parents out for dinner. “That sounds great! What time?” she asked with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
    “I’ll probably be there around 9:00 p.m. Be sure to eat something before you come. Their food isn’t what they’re known for,” Missy said.
    “Okay, see you then!” Lexi was actually a little excited. It’d be nice to get out and have another distraction other than work.
    Once home, she pulled out a sea-life patterned adult coloring book she’d bought but hid from prying eyes. She’d prefer to hand sketch, but when was there time for that anymore? She colored the dolphin page, but she quit once half the page was completed. She still had to find an appropriate outfit. This would be tricky since the night air was cool. She wanted to look her age.
    She removed the dressing on her toe. It still looked bad, but that was mainly because it was so discolored from bruising. Lexi painted her toenails a plum purple, which ironically matched her injured toe. The nail wasn’t sensitive anymore, but she still didn’t like the feeling of it being chafed by shoes. She slipped into a thin and low-cut silk camisole top, dark-washed skinny jeans, and strappy sandals. She looked like a city girl and hoped she’d enjoy herself tonight. Missy, naturally charismatic, would be entertaining. Lexi left her house at eight thirty and drove toward the Rocky Tavern in hopes of finding a good parking space, as she didn’t want to be the last to arrive.
     
    The Rocky Tavern was situated downtown among a few other restaurants on a narrow cobbled street. Essentially, it was a hole in the wall and marked with a faded sign and a heavy wooden door. Even though the other restaurants were open late on the weekends, this was the only true tavern on this street.
    The bar was the main focus, with barstools all around it, but there were also booths on the wall across from the bar. The inside was dimly lit, and aged dark wood dominated the space. After Lexi entered, it took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dimness. Inside looked like a replica of what a pub would probably look like in England or Ireland. Lexi inhaled the faint scent of tobacco that clung to the walls from years of people smoking inside, though smoke still wafted inside from the smokers who lined the wall by the entryway.
    Missy flagged down Lexi, and she sat in between Missy and a guy named Miles. Tony was also there, and he sat on the other side of Missy. Lexi grinned at Tony’s poor attempts to steal glances at Missy. He was anything but inconspicuous.
    Miles bought shots for the group, but Lexi noted he rarely diverted his eyes from her. He said that Missy had told him all about her and he had been eager to finally meet her. The drinks kept coming, and Lexi soon couldn’t focus her attention on anyone or anything. Everything Miles said sounded funny, and Lexi couldn’t help but giggle at his jokes. She didn’t drink that often. Lexi excused herself in a slur of excuses and stumbled toward the ladies’ restroom.
    She pushed her way through the entrance of the restroom and tripped on the lip of the doorway. Her arms shot out to her sides, and she steadied herself on the door. There was a small sitting area with a striped upholstered chair and matching love seat. The