Page 18 of Crossing the Line

---

"Sausages!" "Yes, sausages!"

They clinked their glasses and downed their margaritas in on long gulp.

When Janice lowered her glass she couldn't help but laugh.

And laugh.

And laugh some more.

She really needed this.

She really needed her friends.

She thanked god for them every day, but on days like this?

She couldn't help but be doubly glad that she had them.

Four

BIXBY

Bixby was happy and relieved when Hank called him up, asking him to go out for a beer.

At first he wasn't sure that he'd enjoy himself.

After all, he'd been in a bit of a mood lately.

Moody.

He rolled his eyes at his own thoughts.

It wasn't a good word.

But it was accurate.

He should have been thrilled at the success of his sausages.

He'd spent a pretty penny on the machine, after all.

Sitting there at The Tap, it felt good to be with friends, but he wanted... something else.

Some one else.

"Hey," Hank lifted his chin in the direction of the far wall, "looks like we're not the only ones celebrating tonight."

Celebrating?

Bixby frowned. Who else is celebrating?

He put a hand on the table and turned in his chair to look over the rest of the room.

He saw a lot of familiar faces, but he didn't know who Hank was talking about until he saw her.

Janice.

Janice was smiling.

And laughing.

---