“Thanks.” Ivy waved to her friend and glanced at her phone. A text from Julien and a rare text from Gabe.
Where are you?
Ivy called for another round and flipped through her social media. Her dad had sent her a message asking if she was coming home for her mom’s birthday. Ivy grinned as she accepted another drink and replied to her dad, telling him she was booking her flight.
Maybe Gabe would come home with her this time. Glancing at the couples in the restaurant, Ivy shook her head. Tears gathered in her eyes.
If Gabe loved her, he would be happy for her with the job. And if he loved her, he would forgive her. But Ivy knew he needed more than words. Gabe needed to cement it with action. The room suddenly spun. She put her head in her hands.
“Miss Powell.”
Ivy lifted her head off the table at the calm, deep voice, meeting a pair of laser blue eyes under dark, wavy hair. Quinn Walsh had his arm around a petite honey blond woman, and a man wearing a ball cap, just a little shorter than Quinn, stood next to him with those same piercing blues.
“Hi Quinn,” Ivy said.
“Dad, could you and Simone go to our table? I’m going to talk to my friend here. And maybe take her home.”
“Sure. We’ve all had nights like yours.” Quinn’s dad smiled at her. Ivy blushed.
“I’m fine, Quinn.” She gripped the tabletop with her fingers.
“It doesn’t look like you are. I’ll take you home.” Quinn offered her his arm.
“I don’t know if Gabe will be there.”
“Doesn’t matter if he is there. What happened?”
Ivy glanced at Quinn’s face, trying to read his impassive expression. She knew Quinn to be a solid guy.
“I got a job offer today. Gabe didn’t like it. We argued, and I left.”
“To get drunk?” Quinn cocked an eyebrow.
“To meet friends,” Ivy said.
“Just asking,” Quinn said, guiding her out of the restaurant. “From where I’m sitting, it looks like you and Gabe need to work it out.”
“I don’t know if we can,” Ivy whispered. She wiped furiously at her eyes.
“Are you going through with that punishment scene?” Quinn’s lips pressed together in a thin line.
Great, he probably still hates me. “Yeah. Why?”
Quinn gave a one-shoulder shrug. “Heard about it. Gabe’s been pretty miserable these last few months, Ivy, and if this is what he needs, then I’m glad you said yes. It sounds like you guys are working it out.”
“I don’t know about that,” Ivy said. She sniffled and stumbled against Quinn as the room tilted on her.
“Let’s get you home.” Quinn led her outside, and Ivy leaned against the restaurant, taking big lungfuls of air.
“Does Gabe know where you are?”
“No.”
“At least you only live a block away. My truck is over here.” He walked her over to his truck and held the door open.
“Sorry, you don’t have to do this.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Quinn closed the door.
