But not much riled Peter. That was another partof the problem in their marriage. He had never fought for her. Henever let himself get that emotionally invested. Not unless moneyhad been involved. But she didn't want to test that theory tonight.She knew she had to try to keep Peter away from Jack, but didn'tknow how to tell Jack to stay away without Peter realizingit.
Finally, she found him, standing at a hightable on the other side of the bar, just like the one whereElizabeth was currently standing. She willed her face to remainneutral and not betray her panic and shock. She had not seen himsince August, when she had stopped by his house to ream him out. Helooked even better than he had then. His hair was somewhat slickedto the side, making it appear darker than usual. The tux wasobviously his, as it fit him better than any rental could have.Elizabeth swore she could see his eyes twinkling from here. He heldup his glass in a salute and gave her a wicked grin. God help her,that grin made her go a little weak in the knees.
Shit. This couldn't be happening. She could notbe attracted to that man. He had betrayed her every confidence. Hehad told her darkest secrets. He had described her naked, forChrist's sake! Everyone in town thought she was a perverted,deviant slut because of him. Right? Oh God, what was she going todo? He had explained the book thing. In one part of her brain, itmade total sense. He took artistic license, basing a characterloosely on her. One could even consider Elizabeth Jack's muse. Andthe story he wrote ... yes, it was graphic. But the message, thatwas for her. She needed to take control of her life. She needed tobe empowered. She needed to be invigorated. And that's exactly whatshe was doing with her life.
Elizabeth turned quickly away and found hersoon-to-be-ex-husband. Peter looked good in his tuxedo. He wassettling into middle age well, one of those lucky bastards whoimproved with age lines and a little gray around the temples.Should she tell him about Jack? Yes, she had to prepare him. Sheknew that Jack would try to push her buttons tonight. He had alwaysliked to tease her, and she knew that tonight would be nodifferent.
Elizabeth touched Peter lightly on the arm. Helooked down at her hand as if it were an alien creature makingcontact. He then looked at her face.
"Peter, I, um," she faltered. "I'm going to getanother drink from the bar. Would you like one?"
He looked at his mostly full glass. He was nota big drinker and would probably nurse that glass for an hour ortwo. "Uh, no, I'm good." He turned back to his colleagues withoutintroducing her, and she heard them resume their discussion of "R-Fwaves" and "modular" something-or-other before she was two stepsaway.
She slid up to the bar and ordered a vodkacollins. She knew she probably shouldn't mix her drinks, but shethought she was going to need a little something harder tonight.Especially if this was her last drink. The whole driving thingseemed like a terrible idea now. She wondered if Peter would driveher home, if need be.
She knew without a doubt that it was Jack thatsidled up to her while she was waiting for her drink. She couldfeel his presence and his stare. Before she could even turn to facehim, he leaned over and whispered, "You look stunning. Absolutelystunning."
At that moment, the bartender brought Elizabethher drink. As she fumbled to get money out of her purse for a tip,Elizabeth saw Jack slide a twenty into the tip jar. She turned andgave him a tight smile. "Thank you. You didn't have to dothat."
"Now, he might remember me and give me mydrinks faster."
"Oh, that too. I meant the compliment. Youdidn't have to say that."
"Yes, I did, because it's the truth. Tonight,you are the Liza I knew and loved. The Liza who's outside beauty isonly surpassed by her inside beauty. The Liza who I was never andwill never, be good enough for, but will never stop wishing Iwas."
Elizabeth felt her knees go a little weakagain. Holy shit, this was not really happening. She downed herdrink again and set the glass down on the bar with a little moreforce than intended. "Will you please excuse me?"
She turned and walked across the middle of thedance floor, and out the door.
Shit. What was she going to do? She hadmentally prepared herself to stay strong against Peter's advances.She had never even considered how she would handle Jack's. She hadto get away and think, if even just for a moment. Even out of theballroom, the din created by the crowds talking over the band wasdeafening. Without even stopping for her cape, Elizabeth headedoutside. Downing the two drinks in such quick succession had been amistake. She stepped out into the brisk February night, hoping thefresh air would clear her head.
As she reached the end of the portico, her footkicked something. She looked down and saw it was a pack ofcigarettes. She squatted and picked up the half-full pack, notingthe lighter slid inside the cellophane. Someone had obviouslydropped this. She teetered a bit as she stood up, unsure if it wasdue to the alcohol or the heels. Perhaps a combination of both. Thecoldness was seeping into her skin again, so she strode as hastilyas a gown and stilettos would allow across the parking lot to hercar.
Elizabeth retrieved the key from her purse andunlocked her van. She got in quickly, and closed the door. Shetried to rest her head back against the headrest, but her hair-doprevented it. Not wanting to muss it, she leaned forward, drapingher arms over the steering wheel while resting her forehead on
