Page 60 of Whiskey

“Are you seeing Demi anymore?”

“Just to explain things to—”

“Please be careful out there and don’t lose a finger.” I winked, not wanting to seem like I cared as he caught my arm.

“What’s the name of the guy taking you out?”

“Why? Do you want to do a background check on him?” He brushed the back of his hand down my face while he stared intently into my eyes.

“I just want to know who I have to kill if he touches you.”

* * *

“Sorry, sorry, sorry, I’m here.” Savannah burst into the entertainment room with a drink in her hand and, without a drop of wine spilled, she landed gracefully on the pillows on the floor. “Brandon and Olivia had a thing, and Cole needed me to do something while he was away.” She closed her eyes and dramatically took a breath. “I’m here now, and I’m ready for story time.” She grinned and wiggled her brows.

“You’re not late.” I handed her the platter of homemade pizza. “I was just talking about what I’m going to wear tonight.”

“Tonight?” Her eyes bugged out. “Patrick? Are you two going out again?”

“No. He was train wreck.” I glared. “Seriously, never again. He was so sweaty and rude.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Oh, my God, Savi, so bad. And what is with him and finishing people’s sentences?”

“I thought he just did that with me!” Catalina looked shocked.

“Nope. I think he thinks it’s sexy, or God forbid, smart.” I made a face.

“I’m so sorry, Ivy. I’d never have set you up if I knew he was like that.”

“Don’t be. I got to meet Carson.” I sipped my wine while her face went from mortified to intrigued.

“Um, have we gotten to the Carson bit yet?” she asked the others.

“Nope. We were waiting for you.” Mia grinned behind her margarita.

Savi wiggled herself into her spot on the pillow. “Okay, so you saw him, and go!”

“The gist of the meet was that he sat at the next table, and when Patrick left to take a call from his sister, he commented how he’d ordered the same thing. He asked if I was on a date, and I knew he could tell it wasn’t going well. Moving forward, I couldn’t take Richard Simmons anymore.” The girls laughed at my reference to the old seventies fitness personality. “So, I joined him instead.”

“Wait, when was this date?” Mia asked. “Two days ago, right?” I nodded. “Wow, my husband is bad.” She giggled.

“What?” Sloane looked confused.

“Mark made sure Ty and his family ate at the same restaurant as Ivy and Patrick that night.”

“So, Ty was there?” Savi’s excitement grew. “Did you see him?”

“Oh, I did.” I laughed to relieve a little tension. “Anyway, Carson is nice and light and funny.” I picked at my pizza. “He works for a medical company and travels a lot. He says he usually stays at inns or hotels because he’s away so much.”

“Do you think he has a family somewhere?” Cat cringed. “I’m sorry for the stereotype, but someone needs to ask.”

“I won’t lie, it crossed my mind, but I didn’t get that impression. He’s more ‘I’m married to my job’ and doesn’t seem to be a settling down kind of guy.”

“Well, that can change,” Sloane cut in. “I mean, it’s been known to happen. Look at who we married.”

“I guess so.” I shrugged.

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