by Ivy M. Jones
"You're in New York City, Sarah. What can't we do?"
Lucy smiles, hops up from her seat and heads toward Zach's room. "I've always wanted to go to Madam Tussauds."
"We'll get breakfast out, too."
"Thank you, Cy. This could have been a sucky day, but... Just... Thank you."
I recall what Sarah said the night before. Just say you're welcome, she explained.
"You're welcome, Lucy. Give me half an hour?"
She nods and ducks into Zach's room.
And forty minutes later, we're on our way out the door. We grab breakfast burritos at a little place down the street and eat as we walk. Lucy may have been living in the City a week longer than Sarah, but neither of them had an opportunity to do the tourist thing. I was broke until Dark Fire made it big, and then I was too busy, so we spend the day discovering all kinds of kickass stuff together- including Madam Tussauds for her and a Ranger's game for me.
It's at the Ranger's game that night that I realize I've had a blast with Lucy. We're sharing a large beer, and she's been stealing my popcorn since the second period started. She cheers and boos right along with all the other Ranger fans, despite admitting to me that she's actually a Devil's fan. She and Sarah met in college, but Lucy's from New Jersey.
During the break between the second and third period, Lucy gets up to stretch and I see a band of skin around her waist. I'm staring at that little hint of bared skin, contemplating how I missed that she's hot. Not runway hot, but...more like she's attractive in an exotic, non-traditional way. Her hair isn't one color, but two or three. Her lips aren't bee-stung or pouty, but perfect for her face. Her eyes are bright and full of intelligence, even if the color is a rather common blue-gray. Her face is pretty, her body is well proportioned, and she's obviously not afraid of colors. Her taste in clothing seems to match her personality. Bold.
The game is almost over when I see a photographer skimming the crowd for good shots. He sees me and his too-thin brows go up. I look away casually. You've got the wrong guy, dude. I'm nobody special.
I should warn Lucy that we might end up with our picture in the variety section, but she's smiling a huge smile, watching the Rangers hold onto their lead. She jolts at a hit on the ice and grips my arm.
I have to warn her now. She's practically posing for the photographer. The last thing I need is a picture linking us together romantically. Juliana will have puppies.
We're in our seats after the game, people filing out of the stadium seating around us when I have an idea.
The Rangers won, so everyone's in a stellar mood. What I'm about to ask isn't out in left field.
"Can I put this on the band's Facebook page?" I ask, pulling my cellphone out.
Lucy thinks for a second and then shrugs. "I guess. How's my hair?"
I laugh. She looks awesome and I tell her so. Then I hold out the phone and snap a couple of shots of us in weird poses. I flip the phone around and click a shot of the empty rink with the final score on the jumbotron above, and drop all the shots into a new post. I add an explanation at the top.
"Spent tonight watching the Rangers kick ass. My first game! Thanks to my great friend Lucy for keeping me company."
There. Disaster avoided.
~ About the Author ~
Ivy M. Jones is a thirty-something vintage book dealer and coffee snob. She lives in the Midwest and enjoys a good book with a delicious cup of coffee, the great outdoors, and her amazing family and friends.
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