Kathy gave Jesse an apologetic smile, forking over enough money to cover all nine shots and a decent tip as well. Maybe that would help make up for being abandoned on Valentine's Day?

"I don't want to interfere with your night..." Kathy protested, but she was already sliding off her stool to follow him. Her first step or two was an unsteady wobble, but seconds later her balance compensated for the amount of alcohol she'd already ingested and her walk smoothed back out to the elegant stride of before.