“She had some client brunch thing to go to.”
Lucy nodded, and Spencer caught something flash across her face.Before she could ask about it, Ethan was back.
“One light beer and one Amaretto sour,” he announced, deliveringthe women their drinks.
The next hour went by quickly; Spencer was surprised when she’dglanced at her watch. Turtle’s only got busier, with more people arriving thanleaving. Every barstool around the U-shaped bar was occupied, and the seven TVsshowed several football games. Spencer was amused every time cheers went up inone part of the bar, but not the rest. Ethan was as absorbed in the games asLucy predicted, so Spencer really didn’t have much opportunity to talk to him,but it was fine. She liked him anyway, and chatting about mundane things withLucy was always entertaining.
“My turn to buy a round,” Spencer said as Lucy drained her glass.Empties in hand, she approached the bar, found a tiny sliver of space between aburly bearded man in his forties and a slim, college-age guy wearing a bit toomuch cologne, and slid into it sideways. “Sorry,” she said when Beardy lookedher way.
“Not a problem,” he said, with a friendly smile and inched himselfover to make more room.
In the several minutes it took for a bartender to even notice her,Spencer looked around. People watched. The crowd was overwhelmingly male, whichwas unsurprising, but there were a few jersey-clad women scattered among theguys. There were groups of friends, obviously there together, judging by theirhigh fives and clinking of beer glasses. There were also a few that seemedsolo, sitting quietly, sipping their cocktails, watching the various TVs. AsSpencer scanned around the bar, her gaze stopped. Or rather was stopped. By abrunette directly across from where Spencer stood.
Rebecca.
She was full-on laughing about something (Spencer realized she’dnever actually heard that laugh), head thrown back, teeth showing. Then shepunched the large man next to her in the arm and pointed at the guy sitting onthe other side of him.
“Miss?”
Spencer blinked and was pulled back to her own space at the bar bythe bartender, who looked at her expectantly.
“Oh. Sorry.” She placed her order, which came quickly, paid, andsent a last glance toward Rebecca before returning to Lucy and Ethan.
What are thechances?
Lucy thanked her. “We’re probably heading out when this game isover.”
And they did.
“I’m going to hang and watch some of the next game,” Spencer said,as Lucy hugged her and thanked her again for “saving me from the dullsville offootball.”
Ethan also hugged her, saying, “Thanks for actually likingfootball.”
Spencer smiled as she watched them go. Several people wereleaving, as if it was a changing of the guards with the new games starting. Acouple of stools opened up, and Spencer grabbed up her jacket, purse, andhalf-drunk beer, and snagged the one next to Beardy. Cologne Guy had apparentlyleft.
As she settled in and got comfortable, she did her best not tolook toward where she’d seen Rebecca. That wasn’t why she’d stayed, right? Shestayed to watch the next game get started and finish her beer.
Yeah. That’s what she was doing.
She lasted about six minutes before her body betrayed her and herhead turned away from the TV and in that general direction. Rebecca was lookingright at her, what seemed to be a mix of surprise and happiness on her face.With a come-hither wave of her hand, she invited Spencer to sit with them,indicating what must have been an empty stool next to her.
Spencer thought about it. She did. Thought about politely shakingher head no. Thought about quietly slipping off her stool and leaving. And slipoff her stool she did, once again gathering up her jacket, her purse, her beer.But then she was walking toward Rebecca, rounding the bar as she saw her leantoward the big man next to her and say something. Then both of them watchedSpencer’s approach.
“Hi,” Rebecca said, when Spencer arrived. “What are you doinghere?”
Spencer got up onto the stool and settled herself. “I met Lucy andher fiancé. We’ve been sitting at a table over there since two.” She pointedwith her chin.
“No way. I can’t believe I didn’t see you.”
“It’s busy here.”
“True.” Rebecca leaned slightly back in her stool so Spencer couldsee the big man next to her. “Spencer, this is my friend Nick.” She pointedpast him. “And that’s Dwayne.”
Nick held a meaty hand out to her. “It’s great to meet you,Spencer. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Spencer shook, not sure if she’d seenRebecca kick him or if she’d just been shifting her feet.
“Nice to meet you both,” Spencer said, shaking Dwayne’s hand aswell.
“You like football?” Nick asked.
