Please excuse the following babble. I had a free lunch hour and wanted to work on my NaNoWriMo. (Or hey, if you have constructive feedback, hit the forum. I’m all ears. But since this takes place about 7000 words into the plot, and nothing of consequence happens, it probably won’t mean much to you.)

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“Hey, I don’t criticize your kink.” Julia snapped, just as the music from the DJ came to an abrupt halt. She blushed when she realized that five hundred eyes were staring at her. The DJ launched into the expected “Well, thank you all for coming” speech a moment later, saving her from further embarassment.

“So wait, I want to hear the end of this.” Lynsey said as everyone began to rise from the table.

“Well, Mark and I were going to head back to the hotel,” Kira said, “but the food here was so lousy that I was thinking a run to Carollo’s was in order first.

“Carollo’s Pizza? Are they still open?” Garrett asked. “Wow, they had the best pie in all of Lancaster County!”

“Yeah, they’re still there. In fact, they’re right down the street from me.” Suzanne added. She looked up at Taylor, a question evident in her expression.

He glanced down at her and smiled. “You know, we just bought this fantastic old house right across from the campus. If you guys aren’t in any hurry to get back to the hotel, you’re welcome to come back to our place for a bit. We’ve got a huge living room, a well-stocked liquor cabinet, and a very friendly golden retriever.”

“You know, I’d love to,” Julia said, “but Kyle and I have to get back to the kids before the sitter eats us out of house and home. ”

“Besides, with my allergy to dogs, I’d just be miserable.” Kyle added. “But it was great to see everyone.”

“Good luck finding the source of that invitation, Garrett.” Julia said as she embraced him. “It was good to see you.” They all exchanged hugs and Kyle and Julia left for the evening.

“Well, what about the rest of you?” Suzanne asked.

“I’m in.” Kira said immediately.

“Well, so am I then.” Mark added, smiling.

“I don’t mind tagging along.” Garrett said. “Lynsey, any objections?”

“No. We certainly didn’t have any other plans for the evening. Besides, it will give me more time to see this quaint little town where you grew up.”

Kira snorted. “Oh yeah, quaint. That’s just another word for run-down, you know. It’s ‘quaint’ if you’re not the one who has to live here.”

“Hey!” Taylor jumped in. “We resemble that remark!”

They laughed their way to the coat check, gathered their belongings, and stepped out onto the lawn. Suzanne and Taylor stepped toward the parking lot, then looked back at the others. “I’ve got room for two more in the car, but I’m afraid we won’t all fit.”

“That’s okay,” Garrett said, “I’d rather walk. Just give me directions and we’ll be on our way.”

“But honey, my feet are killing me.” Lynsey said gently.

“Lynsey, do you and Mark mind riding back to Suzanne’s place in her car? Garrett, I can walk with you and show you where Suzanne lives.