Page 8 of Sack

Seemed she was the only person on the planet who didn’t. Disgruntled, she admitted, “He left without telling me.”

“That’s P. Colton, quarterback for the Phantoms. He’s huge.”

“Explains why he thought I was the paparazzi.”

Jason belly laughed.

“Thanks for that. What happened to…No matter the cost, I will defend your honor?” She’d deepened her voice, doing her best Jason imitation.

“That was before I knew it was P. Colton.”

Rolling her eyes, Ivy turned her attention to the burger that had been delivered in her absence and picked it up. She should be happy Jason hadn’t stormed off to pick a fight, and she was, but something was bugging her. “How do you know so much about football, anyway? I never see you watching it at home.” She took a large bite of her burger, licking at the gooey egg yolk and the combined juices from the meat, mushrooms, and fried tomatoes that slid down the side of her hand.

He swallowed and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I watch at Warriors.”

Ivy wracked her brain. “Isn’t that the sports bar on 12th?”

Jason confirmed with a nodded grunt.

“Why do you watch there?”

Instead of answering, he shrugged and filled his mouth with another bite of burger.

Interesting. Jason was usually only evasive when he was embarrassed about something.

She took another bite and swallowed before asking, “So, this P. Colton…” She’d refrained from looking over her shoulder since she’d sat down but found herself doing so now, her gaze drifting to his table.

“What about him?”

Was he single? Why was that the first thing that had popped into her head? She didn’t even like the guy. A handsome face did not make up for a grumpy disposition. “Never mind.” She pulled her concentration back to her plate, kicking herself for even entertaining the thought.

Not one for deep discussions, Jason let it drop and didn’t prod. A few minutes later, he pushed his plate away, tossing his napkin on top. “You almost ready to go?”

Ivy looked down at her half-eaten burger and picked-at fries. “Yeah.” She’d gotten enough pictures to fill the rest of the website.

Jason grabbed Emerson’s attention. “How much do we owe you?”

She gathered their plates, eyeing Ivy’s with a slight frown. “No charge.”

“No way,” Ivy was swift to reply.

“Yes way.” Emerson smiled. “It’s the least I can do for all your help getting this place up and running.”

“Help that you paid for.”

Ever the negotiator, Jason was quick with a solution. “You don’t let us pay, we won’t ever come back to eat.”

“And wouldn’t that be a shame. I’d miss out on so many great meals.” Ivy laid it on thick.

“Fine.” Emerson yanked Jason’s debit card from his grasp. “But I’m applying an employee discount.”

“Deal.” Ivy smiled as she watched Emerson march to the register.

“It’s still early. You want to grab a movie?” Jason asked as they made their way through the parking lot.

“Sure.”

They got in the car and Ivy pulled up the theater app on her phone. Then they arguedforeverbefore Jason finally gave in and agreed to the latest superhero movie.

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