Page 67 of Sack

Languid and boneless, she slowly opened her eyes to find Colt, head tipped back, his neck muscles corded, in the throes of what she hoped was the same state of bliss.

If the universe were kind, everyone would find that one person who gave them that ultimate joy to experience. If not forever, at least, as in her case… For a little while.

“Did I wake you?”

Ivy set her e-reader aside and snuggled into the covers. “No. But I am in bed. Congrats on your second win.”

“I’m sorry we can’t celebrate again.”

In the background, Ivy heard an announcement over the PA system. “What time does your flight get in?”

“Four a.m.”

“I’ll be asleep by then.” His chuckle hit her ear, and she asked, “Will you be able to sleep on the plane?”

“With as tired as I am, yeah, no problem.”

“How’s the shoulder?”

“A little sore. I’ll ice it when I get home.”

“Do you want me to stop by tomorrow after you wake up?”

He hesitated. “I have to be back at the field by one to watch game footage.”

“Oh, okay. Maybe Tuesday then? It’s your only day off.” Ivy heard someone call his name.

“Gotta go. We’re about to take off. I’ll call you tomorrow night and let you know about Tuesday.”

“Okay. Have a safe flight,” But she said it into dead air. Colt had already hung up.

She tossed her phone down on the bed and closed her eyes. She hadn’t seen Colt for almost a week and with the way their call had ended, she wasn’t sure she’d be seeing him that week either. Before the season started, they would spend days just hanging out. Watching TV. Relaxing by the pool. Any free time Colt had, he spent with her. And, silly her, she’d grown used to that, so now she really felt their time apart.

Maybe she needed to get out more, be more social. Sitting at home made time move too slow. She’d had fun chatting with Emerson at the game last Sunday. She should give her a call, see if she wanted to go to a movie or something.

In the meantime, she picked up her e-reader and turned it back on.

If she couldn’t have Colt, Harry Dresden was a good second choice.

“We should have done this ages ago. It feels like forever since I’ve had any time off.” Emerson took a sip of her margarita before reaching for a handful of nuts and popping a few into her mouth.

Ivy had followed through and called Emerson. After comparing their schedules, Thursday night had been the soonest they could get together for drinks. Ivy was excited to wear something other than jeans or leggings and even took the time to put on makeup for the first time in over a week.

“Running your own business is more than a full-time job.” Ivy took a sip of her apple martini, wincing as her jaw puckered.

“How is business?”

“I landed the Yum Yum Yogurt account, thanks to you.” Ivy held her glass up and Emerson clicked hers to it. “And just yesterday I got a call from a local bakery. I have a meeting with them tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, I hope they give you some samples.” Emerson dramatically sighed. “And now I want a cupcake.”

Ivy laughed. “I’ll swing by The Parting Glass after my meeting tomorrow and bring you one.”

“Deal.”

After a few second’s silence, Ivy finally worked up the nerve to ask, “So, have you, um, seen much of Oz lately?”

If Emerson was bothered by the personal question, she didn’t show it. “Most days. He comes in after practice. Not sure how that man’s not eight-hundred pounds with the number of burgers he puts away.”

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