Since none of them had any plans and certainly no hot dates, Declan had joined Dominic and Alistair in going down to their local watering hole for some beers and a few rounds of pool. It’s not how he had hoped to spend the night, but it was better than fretting over some unfinished comic book panel for an entire night, which is likely what he would be doing had he not gone out to the bar. Declan was in the process of racking the balls when a familiar sight walked into his view. It wasn’t so much the appearance itself as her stride that drew his attention. A second later he identified the familiarity as belonging to their mutual friend – and object of desire – Sandra. Declan frowned, he knew that she had been looking forward to some sort of date with a colleague, and the fact she was at the bar, alone, this early meant that the date probably hadn’t gone according to plan.<br/><br/>Declan pointed out Sandra to his two companions,<strong>“Looks like our girl is here.”</strong>Then he put the pool cue down on the table and moved over to the bar area. He slid in besides Sandra at the counter. As she had just ordered her Long Island Iced tea, Declan addressed the barkeep.<strong>“Put that on my tab, Tony.”</strong>He then smiled at Sandra and greet her.<strong>“Hey doll. I didn’t expect to see you here tonight. Didn’t you have a hot date? You sure look the part.”</strong>He gave her an appraising and approving look as he drank in her appearance from close up. He then nodded his head towards the pool table.<strong>“Want to join me and the lads for a few rounds of pool? It’s not your dream date I’m sure, but it’s better than drinking on your own!”</strong>He used the opportunity to order another three beers for him and his roommates, then awaited Sandra’s response.