Page 43 of Sack

“Linc seems nice.”

He knew it was a throwaway comment, but it still grated. “Yeah.”

Ivy must have picked up on his mood shift. She took hold of his arm and smiled up at him. “Come on, let’s see if you can break the record.”

She took a step forward, but his feet stayed planted.

She looked back, and he shook his head. “Nope.”

She let go of his arm and crossed hers. “There’s that all-encompassing ‘nope’ again. What does it mean this time?”

“It means, I won’t play. It’s an unfair advantage. I have great aim.”

Her arms dropped. “Why, Mr. P. Colton. Under that gruff exterior, you’re a big softie.”

His ‘gruff’ made an appearance, manifesting into a frown. “No, I’m not.”

She took the half-step that separated them and latched on to him again. He didn’t fail to notice she got so close her tits got involved, hugging his arm. “Yes, you are.”

His frown deepened. “How do you figure?”

“You could reign supreme, get all the glory, but you don’t. You want to give others a fighting chance. That,” she poked his upper arm, “makes you a big softie.”

He turned so her front was flush against his. “I think we’ll have to agree to disagree.”

Her lips tipped into a saucy smile. “Now you’re stealing my line.”

“Hey, when you’re right, you’re right.”

Ivy tugged his arm. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“You won’t play basketball, I need to find another game so you can win me a stuffed animal.”

Ivy

Ivy stopped in front of the ring toss.

She saw Colt eye the rows of long-necked bottles on the table before them and then the pyramid of soda cans stacked for the ball-toss game next door. “I think I’d have better luck knocking shit down.”

“Nope. You need to play this game.”

“Why?”

“Simple. I want a giant banana and not a gray elephant.”

“And should I ask why you want a banana rather than an elephant?”

“The answer should be obvious.” She rolled her eyes for emphasis. “The elephant is boring and has zero personality. The banana, on the other hand, is giant-sized, which, in itself is fun. But look at his face.” She waited until Colt trained his eyes back onto the stuffed toy before continuing, “With googly eyes and his tongue sticking out, he’s full of character.”

“Of course, it’s so obvious now,” Colt deadpanned.

Ivy laughed. “Just be glad I’m not making you play the penny toss.”

Colt looked over his shoulder. “You don’t want a monkey?”

“I’ll admit he’s cute, but still not as cute as the banana.”

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