“Seriously?”
Ivy just smiled.
Blake was in banking. Finance.
Trust fund, six foot five, blue eyes.
A stupid song she’d heard some of her students singing before class.
Blake was a little shorter than 6’5, Ivy couldn’t be sure about a trust fund, and his friend Tony was the one with blue eyes. But still.
They played a few more rounds—Ivy only lost once to heads, heads, heads, by sheer luck—and she forgot about her water. Unsurprisingly, she was drunk.Verydrunk. It was getting late, and Ivy still had three drinks lined up.
Blake leaned close.
“You’re not just lucky, are you?” he whispered in her ear.
Ivy grinned.
“I know this game; Penney’s game, right?”
Drunk as she was, Ivy was surprised.
“You know Penney’s game?” Her words all ran together.
“Of course. I love numbers. I’m a finance guy, remember?”
There was something about the way he said this that made her uncomfortable. If he knew the game, why did he let her win?
Abby came near and Blake backed off.
“Hey, I’m staying at a hotel not far from here—the Marriott at Forrestal. We’re only in town for three days. How about you and your friend come back with us? Hotel bar is open late.”
Bad idea, Ivy thought. Sorta thought. Her mind was swimming. And three days? This triggered something in Ivy, but she was too drunk to place it.
“Actually, my friend has a busy morning tomorrow,” Abby said. She put her arm around Ivy, propped her up.
“Busy day at the spa?”
Blake wasn’t making fun of her, but he was challenging her claim.
“Yes. Lots of BBLs to do.”
Blake didn’t push. Neither did Tony.
“Can I get your number at least? I’ve spent nearly six figures—”Trust fund, 6’5”, finance“—tonight. I need a rematch.”
“I can take yours,” Abby offered.
Blake didn’t seem excited about this, but went along with it.
“Sure.”
Abby was a good friend. She’d pushed Ivy to come out, to stay, to drink. But she also knew Ivy’s limits. If she went home with Blake, she’d regret it.
“Thanks for the drinks, boys.” Abby gave them both a little coquettish wave and guided Ivy out of the bar.
Ivy passed out in the cab home.?
