Taken by Melissa Toppen

would. This is the second day in a row that I have awoken to an empty apartment and I am starting to wonder if she even came home last night.
                  She's no doubt staying at Sam's which is great for her but it leaves me with a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach that I just can't seem to shake. I hate being on the outs with her, especially since we live together, which makes her silence and absence even more unsettling.
                  I haven't heard anything from Liam since Friday night with the exception of a short text telling me that he was flying to New York for a couple of days to take care of some kind of business and to tell Bob to keep away from his woman. As much as I hate the idea of him being away during such an unsettling time in our relationship, I understand that he has responsibilities.
                  I would be lying if I said that I am not bothered by the fact that we still really haven't talked about what happened other than him acknowledging that he hurt me and promising to make it up to me. I wish he could just see that all I really want is to know him. For him to trust me enough to confide in me about his life and who he truly is.
                  My phone signals a new message breaking into my thoughts. I cross the length of the room and retrieve it from my bedside table. It's from Dana.
     
    Get dressed. I'm taking you to lunch. Be there in an hour.
     
                  I text a quick reply telling her okay. Having spent the entire day alone in our apartment yesterday, I could use a little distraction and Dana always has a way of making me feel better. Mostly because she gives it to me straight and lets me know when I am being a childish brat or simply over thinking things again, which I do often.
                  I take a quick shower and then blow dry my hair, pulling it back into a loose ponytail before slipping on a pair of faded jeans and a black tank top. I keep my makeup light and am just finishing up when Dana texts me again letting me know she's here.
                  I grab my keys and purse, slipping on a pair of black flip flops on my way out the door. I spot Dana's car immediately, parked illegally outside of our apartment complex. I shake my head, making my way over to her.
                  “Hey girl.” She says, as I slide into the black leather seat and click my seat belt in place. “Thanks for coming to lunch with me. I am on guy overload and if I didn't get away for a few I was going to explode.” She laughs, putting the car in drive and easing out into the street. I forgot that Dana's two brothers were in town for a week from California and staying with her. I can imagine she's ready to pull her hair out.
                  We make small talk on the way to the city. It feels good to just have a light conversation and not have someone pushing me for more information. I know that part is coming. I haven't spoken to Dana in any great detail since my trip to Vermont. While she knows the basics, we haven't really had a chance to just catch up on everything.
                  It takes us about twenty minutes to reach Tucks , a hopping bar and grill in the heart of the city. I have only been here a couple times but I know a lot of people come here after work for the wings and beer. We seat ourselves at one of the high top tables in the bar area. The restaurant is separated into two different sections. A large dining area that is filled with square tables throughout the center and large booths lining each wall and the bar area that houses several high top tables and a full bar that runs the entire length of the back wall. There are at least thirty flat screen televisions mounted through out the restaurant, all of which are set on sports channels.
                  We place our order and the waitress returns with our beers within a couple of minutes.