Page 51 of Sack

She should’ve known she wouldn’t deter them that easily. They were all just as nosy as her and therefore needed to knoweverything. As per their usual MO, they started firing questions one on top of the other.

“A friend, huh. As inboyfriend?” That was from Crystal.

“Do you have a picture?” From Tina.

“What’s he do for a living?” From the ever-practical Jessica.

Knowing she was fighting a losing battle, she held up her hands for silence. “Here’s the deal. I’ll tell you all about him, but,” she held up her pointer, “I’ll do it over dinner.”

She really was hungry.

One taco platter and three pitchers of margaritas later, Ivy had spilled it all, and currently, the girls were oohing and aahing over pictures of Colt on the web, passing phones around like a game of tipsy hot potato.

“I’ve never had a fuck buddy,” Crystal said, her blond head bowed over… someone’s phone. By that point, Ivy had lost track of whose phone was whose.

“I have,” Jessica shared.

“Really? Do tell.” Tina plopped an elbow on the table and cradled her head in her hand. She was the lightweight of the group and if they didn’t get back to the hotel soon, she’d be snoozing on the table.

“It was in college. His name was Steve and we’d been paired for this long-term project. We spent a lot of time together. Things progressed from there.”

“And it didn’t turn into anything more?” Ivy held her breath, waiting for the answer.

“Nope.” Jessica grabbed a chip from the basket in the middle of the table. She scooped a mound of salsa before popping it into her mouth. “Never saw him again after the semester was over,” she said, mouth still full. She swallowed and then shouted, “Oh, wait. I did see him around campus once after that.” She frowned. “He totally ignored me. I wonder what that was all about?”

Ivy wondered if Colt would end up ignoring her. Doubtful. It was more likely once their fling ended, they’d just never run into each other. After all, it wasn’t as if they moved in the same circles. Unless he called needing more design work done, she’d probably never see him again.

“I say it’s his loss,” Tina slurred then promptly yawned.

“Ditto,” Ivy and Crystal said in unison. They both looked at each other and cracked up.

Crystal eyed Tina. “We should probably go before we need to carry her out.”

Jessica picked up the margarita pitcher, pouring what was left into their glasses, bypassing Tina’s. “Can’t let this go to waste.” She held up her half-full glass. “To best friends, fuck buddies, and an awesome weekend at the Con.”

“Hear, hear!”

They made it back to the hotel with a still-functioning Tina, but she was out like a light the minute her head hit the pillow. Ivy managed to clumsily complete her nightly routine of brushing her teeth and pulling her hair from its topknot to comb out the tangles before she got into bed with her cell. She didn’t want to forget to text Colt.

Again.

Clicking off the bedside lamp, she snuggled into the covers and pulled up their text thread.

Hey.

It didn’t take long to get a response even though it was late and he had practice in the morning.

Hey. Have a good night?

Yes. It was fun. Went out for tacos and margaritas.

Ivy watched the three little dots, growing drowsy waiting for his response. Finally,I’m callingpopped up on the screen.

She was quick to reply.

No. Don’t.

Why not?