She turns Syd down

"Listen Syd, I'd feel like I was watching my own daughter on her first date if I tagged along. It would just feel all awkward. You're a big girl now. I think you can handle a movie with Dustin on your own. I know you can deck him if he tries anything you don't like. Just don't beat the bat snot out of him."

Syd looked a bit disappointed. "I guess it was kind of silly of me to invite you on my date. I'm sorry. I've just gotten so used to having you around. Sometimes it feels like we're inseparable."

Nancy smiled, and hugged her. "Well we're not joined at the hip yet. But I do feel that way too. I really like being around you, and I'm very glad we're partners. I don't know what I would do without you. Now you go out there, and knock Dustin off his feet with your wit and charm. Or if things go bad, just knock him out."

"Can I at least offer you a ride home? I did pick you up this morning."

"No, that's okay Syd. I live about six blocks from here. I'll just take a nice leisurely walk home. If I get tired I can always call Patrick or Izzy. Don't worry, I'll be fine. But I think I'll sit here for a bit longer, and have another drink before I go."

"Okay girlfriend. You want me to pick you up tomorrow morning?"

Nancy gave her a big smile. "You're on! And I want to hear all the juicy details about Dustin."

Syd picked up her things, and left the bar. Now Nancy was alone with her thoughts. This would be Nancy time. She had some things to think about. One of them was Patrick. He had come home with a strange perfume smell on him a couple of nights ago. She didn't want to say anything to him about it, just in case it was an innocent encounter with a colleague from work. She decided to give him the three strike rule. If she smelled that scent three times on him, then she would ask about it. She was deathly afraid he was cheating on her, but she knew she needed more proof than just a strange perfume on his clothes.

She finished her beer, and walked up to the bar. This time she thought about getting a mojito. "Hey Carl," she said, attempting to get the bartender's attention. He quickly looked over at her, and smiled. "I'll be right with with you Nancy."

After serving the three new customers at the bar, he made his way to her. "Refill?"

"No, I was thinking of something more relaxing, like a mojito."

Carl picked up the mug, and gave her another smile. "One mojito coming right up!"

She loved Carl's mojitos. He made them just right. They weren't overly minty, or bitter, and the balance of **** was perfect. It was enough to give you a mild buzz. Just enough to loosen you up.

"Here you go!" he announced as he set the glass in front of her on the counter.

"Thanks Carl!" She picked up her drink, and walked back to the booth where she sat earlier with Syd. She sat down, and thought about Syd's date. "I hope this guy's good to her," she thought to herself. She sat there, enjoying her drink until it was all gone. Then she gathered her things, and dropped the glass off at the bar. She made her way out the front door, just in time to see Patrick's car roll by. She could see plain as day he wasn't alone. There was a woman in the front seat beside him. Her heart sank, and she began to tremble. Then her phone chimed. She looked at it to see who it was. It was Patrick. She took in a deep breath, and sighed. "Hello?"

"Hey honey, it's me. I just called to say I'll be home pretty late. So go ahead and have dinner without me."

All she could think of was what a liar he was. She was ready to fume, but managed to control herself. "Okay honey. I'll leave a plate in the fridge for you."

"Thanks sweetie. I'll see you when I get there. I gotta go now. Love you." Patrick hung up, leaving her to stew over what she saw. He hadn't seen her, but she saw him. He probably thought she was already at home. He never seemed interested in where she was. He assumed she was always at home, like a good little wifey.

She looked at her phone in anger. She wanted to throw, or hit someone. or something. She felt dirty, betrayed, and used. "I should have went with Syd," she said out loud.