Page 61 of Very Special Forces

"Justthe Lily's Bar t-shirt. We don't wear shorts during the day or inwinter. I have plenty of spare t-shirts here which is a good thingbecause you never return the ones I loan you."

"I'll beright there," I told her. Interrogating Bryce's friends, albeitsubtly, would give me some more information and since they wouldprobably recognize me from the engagement party, they wouldcontinue to think I was a genuine employee.

I calleda cab and it was waiting outside by the time I was ready. A fewminutes later, it deposited me at the front of the bar. I paid cashand hurried through the bar to the offices at the back.

"Thatwas quick," said Lily.

"Ididn't want to miss them."

"They'rein the booth at the rear of the bar. The same one your Army buddiessat in," She reached into a box next to her desk and pulled out at-shirt and tossed it to me. "I told Ruby you would be coming in toserve."

"Thankyou!"

Ichanged my t-shirt then stashed my belongings in Lily's office. Iwaved to Ruby who was serving at the bar and grabbed a menu fromthe stack, then sauntered over to the booth. I recognized the menfrom the party, all dressed in nice suits and dress shirts, justlike at the party, which made me wonder what professions theyheld.

"Sorryto keep you waiting," I said when I approached them. "Hey, I knowyou guys. You were at the engagement party for your friends, Bryceand Julia."

"Andyou're the cute waitress," said the stockier of the pair. "Wait. AmI allowed to say that anymore? Is that harassment? Shoot, I havejust taken a class at work about harassment and I need to consultmy notes." They both laughed like it was an inside joke.

"Cute isfine by me," I said, playing along. "Are you all excited about thewedding?"

"Iguess," said the other guy. "Depends on who the bridesmaids are."They guffawed again.

"You'reengaged," said the first guy. He glanced up at me and winked. "I amsingle and ready to mingle."

Oh,please. "Oh, you!" I squealed and giggled like he was the funniestman on the planet and not rolling out a tired, old line. "Butseriously, a wedding is so exciting. Are you all close?"

"Thegroom and us have been buddies for years," said the first guy."Since school."

"Youmust have been through everything together..." I trailed offsmiling vacuously, hoping they took the hint to fill in theblanks.

"Youname it. College. Graduations. Family drama. Trips. Girlfriends,crazy ex-girlfriends." Stocky raised his eyebrows and they bothlaughed.

"Allthree of you have crazy exes?" I asked. "Wow. That must besomething."

"Not us,Bryce. He really does attract the loonies."

"NotJulia though. She's a sweetheart."

"Yes,she is. Kind of too quiet for me but a nice girl."

"Whatwas so bad about the others?" I asked.

"Brycewas always telling us about the screaming and the crying and howthat last chick actually threw a glass at his head! Remember that,Vincent? And she was always in a mood when we got together orcalled him up. It got to the point where he didn't even want tohave us over to their house since she was psycho."

"Hereally tried," nodded Vincent. "He did everything hecould."

"Oh?" Iasked.

"He wasalways buying her flowers or candy, or taking her away for theweekend, and trying to smooth things over between Jessica and hisfamily."

"Samewith Lana. And Angie." Stocky shrugged.

"Jessicaand Bryce's family didn't get on?"

"Theydidn't like her much. I'm not sure why but maybe it was the crazy."Stocky twirled a finger around his ear and temple, signifyingcrazy.

"I neverreally saw the crazy," said Dan, frowning now. "She must have keptthat well hidden but those boardroom types can I guess."

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