Page 61 of Whiskey

“Are you really into this guy?” Mia handed me a napkin. “Because you seem unsure. I know it’s new and all, but you seem hesitant, almost.” I glanced at Savannah, and her smile broke and quickly made the other girls tune in to the mood change.

“Ah,” Mia grinned, “maybe our work here has paid off, ladies.” We all broke into laughter like a bunch of girls at a teen sleepover. The whole thing was fun and refreshing, and the more time I spent here, the more I felt free and youthful. I loved my life in Washington, but here in the wide-open Montana mountains, in the entertainment room of an Army safehouse, I felt closer to these four girls than I had with anyone in my life.

“I’m moving this story forward, ladies.” Sloane cleared her throat. “Carson seems nice. You should go on a date with him tonight. He sounds fun, and there’s no reason you shouldn’t. So now it’s time to hear the Ty story.”

“Story or stories?” I raised an eyebrow, and Savannah grabbed the blender, ready to hear more.

* * *

If I was to rate my date that night, I would say it went pretty well. Great, actually. Carson was nice and asked about me and seemed interested in my profession. He drank a lot but seemed to be able to handle his liquor. I would guess it was the downside to being on the road a lot. Eating out often went along with having a drink. Only for Carson it meant having several drinks before our entrée even arrived. His dark beard was thick and made his chocolate-colored eyes even darker. He was handsome, and he made an effort to pay me some lovely compliments, so why did I keep finding my head slipping back to Ty more times than I could count?

I thought back to Savi’s comment earlier in the evening while she hung out with me as I changed. Demi had called Ty’s cell phone at least four times that morning. Savi only knew that because my uncle had found Ty’s ringing cell phone in the couch. Her words to me were, “Go out, live, and enjoy life.” Demi’s still not totally out of the picture. I took her advice, which was why I was going for it with Carson.

“Ivy, this was fun.” Carson’s voice brought me back from my thoughts. “You’re making an otherwise lonely trip to Montana very enjoyable.”

“I’m happy to hear it.”

“You know what would make this night even better?”

“What’s that?” I played with my napkin under the table.

“A boat ride on the lake.” I hesitated, and he started to nod. “Um, I don’t want to scare you, but there’s a guy who was here last time I met you, and he’s here again today. Every so often, he looks at us. Do you know him?” He pointed over my shoulder, and I saw he was referring to Quinn.

Shit.

“No, I’ve never seen him before.” I tried to control my tone. “I have one of those faces that people think they know.”

“Maybe.” He let it go. “So, what do you think?”

“About?” My mind was jumbled.

“The boat ride.” He chuckled. “There’s a place by the lake you can rent rowboats. I’d just like to do something different. Zack’s is great, but there’s something romantic about being out on the water.”

“Sounds fun. Just let me use the restroom first.”

“Of course.” He nodded politely as I grabbed my purse and headed for the bathroom. I skipped the bathroom door and headed into the kitchen where I waved at Zack, who was coming out of his back office. Jake the bartender walked in, and Zack pointed at me and made sure Jake stayed where he was so he wouldn’t overhear.

Quickly, I called Quinn.

“Where are you?” Quinn’s voice was low.

“In the kitchen out back. Jake’s here, and Zack knows I’m here too. Look, Carson thinks you’re watching me like some creepy guy.”

Quinn came in, and we stepped out of the way of the busy kitchen. He opened the door to Zack’s office and closed the door behind us. I could tell Quinn was uneasy by the way he cleared his throat.

“Shit,” he barked through clenched teeth. He was probably concerned about being spotted. I felt strange. I was a grown woman asking permission to go out with my date. I had to swallow back my discomfort as we talked.

“He wants to take me out on one of those boats, you know with the long paddles.” Quinn started to laugh. “You mean a rowboat?” He laughed again.

“Yes, and I know but he’s trying, and it feels kind of nice that he is.”

“It’s very romantic.”

“Yes, he mentioned something about that.”

“You can’t mention being romantic and then be romantic.” Quinn groaned. “Where is Mark when you need him?”

“Whatever.” But he had a point, or maybe I just wasn’t overly romantic myself. “Are we good to do this?

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