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her.
    “…Could we please get together tonight?”
    Beth’s mouth dropped – She was stunned. “Why?”
    “I just want to talk, Beth.”
    “…What about?”
    “Uh-uh…Not on the phone.”
    She blinked in surprise and looked down at the floor. “…I…I don’t really want to see you again, Bryce.”
    “And I deserve that too. Please, Beth. It’s important…”
    She swallowed hard and blew out a breath. Beth smoothed some hair back that had fallen in her eyes and wondered what was going on here.
    “… I don’t want any sappy apologies just to soothe your belated conscience. All right?”
    “…Okay.”
    “You know I have a performance tonight?”
    “Yes.”
    “… We usually have dinner afterwards, so you can buy me dinner.” It wouldn’t be a complete waste of her time that way…
    “Sure. Where?”
    “How about the Brazilian Steakhouse here at the Mirage?” She reasoned she could get up and leave easily if she wanted to.
    Bryce smiled. He knew why she’d picked that restaurant – So she could leave easily. Okay… “Good. What time will you arrive?”
    “Nine o’clock.”
    “I’ll be there.” He smiled into the phone. “Oh, and Beth?”
    “Yes?”
    “Which dress will you wear – Blue or yellow?”
    That made her laugh. “What do you think?”
    “I always liked you in blue…”
    “Great… We’ll wear the yellow then. Bye, Bryce.”
    He laughed and snapped his phone shut. That was so Beth… She could be pretty contrary when her hair was on fire. And it apparently was right now -- at him.
    That was okay… At least she was speaking to him and that was the important thing. Bryce sat back in his chair and took another pull of his beer.
    The avalanche of everything Carson City had hit him hard. He felt like he’d fallen into a fast moving river and was trying his hardest to keep afloat. Why couldn’t he push it all away? He had in the past…
    Not anymore – The past had come howling back at him and it was time to make peace with it all. It was affecting his job already and his relationship with Sylvia was wobbling. Dan had been right about circling the wagons and looking for his friends. But it might be a much tougher task than he’d imagined.
     
    * * *
     
    Bryce had made a reservation for nine and was sitting at the bar waiting for Beth to arrive. From his vantage point, he could watch people arrive at the restaurant, but they couldn’t see him right away. He wanted to see her expression before she saw him. Bryce needed to know what she was really feeling.
    He sat at the bar drinking bourbon and water. He was nervous to meet Beth again and needed a drink to take the edge off. Bryce glanced around at the beautifully decorated restaurant with its vivid colors and tropical feel. The smell of smoky barbecue filled his nostrils and made his stomach rumble. He was hungry…
    And then she walked in… Beth looked around biting on her lip and smoothed her pretty brunette hair back. She’d worn it down in slight waves around her lovely face, one side tucked behind an ear. Shiny, dangling earrings hung from her ears. Bryce smiled… She’d also worn the blue evening dress instead of the yellow – He knew already what she was thinking about him – She’d approved his choice, maybe mellowing a bit about him… A sentimental wave washed over him… What had he been doing these past years that he couldn’t have picked up a phone… Before he started to wallow in regret, he put a few bills on the counter, pushed off his bar stool and walked over to meet her.
    “Beth,” he said while taking ahold her hand. “You look lovely.”
    “…Bryce,” she said while removing her hand. “Don’t get too…anything… I’m only here because you sounded desperate on the phone.” She turned away from him. “And why I should care is beyond me…”
    “And blue?” He grinned at her.
    She rolled her eyes. “Don’t even go there…”
    Bryce kept smiling…So Beth…
    Before he could