“I know, but if I waited for that, I wouldn’t get to talk to you.”
She laughed. “Don’t you have girls back where you live?”
“Plenty, but there’s something about you.”
She handed him a bottle. “Here.”
“Thanks. Would you—Oh. This is white.” He handed it back to her.
She passed him another one. “Sorry. I had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it right.”
“Why wouldn’t you know the difference? Are you color-blind?”
“No. Just regular blind.”
The guy was silent.
“It’s okay,” she added, not sure why it was her job to make him feel better. She was the one who couldn’t see. “Go back to your table, Byron.”
“Right. Yeah. I, ah…See ya.”
Izzy watched him walk away. She paused to see if she would be upset by his dismissal, then realized she didn’t care. If he couldn’t handle her lack of vision, then that was his problem.
The realization was kind of freeing, she thought happily. Which was strange, but true.
A few minutes later a couple of guys came up to the table.
“Hi,” one said loudly.
So word had spread, she thought, turning to them.
“Blind, not deaf,” she said.
“Oh, right. Sorry. So you’re Izzy?” As he spoke he raised his hand in front of her face.
She grabbed his arm. “Partially blind,” she said. “Not totally. Don’t be a jerk.”
“He can’t help it. He’s also really ugly,” the other guy said. “I’m much better-looking.”
She leaned against the table and glanced between them. “Why should I take your word on that?”
“I’m telling the truth. Ask anyone.”
They were flirting, she thought, not the least bit interested, but pleased that she felt comfortable in the situation. To think of all the time she’d wasted hiding out in Lexi’s guest room.
Someone else approached. Someone she recognized immediately.
“Is there a problem?” Nick asked.
She saw the other guys take a step back.
“No,” the first one said. “Not at all.”
Nick ignored him. “Izzy?”
“I’m fine, but these two seem like they need help finding their seats.”
“I’ll take care of that.”
She wasn’t exactly sure what he did but suddenly she was alone at the table.
Aaron sidled up. “That was very macho.”
“I know. Impressive.”
“I’m sure it was. Now let’s dish. Steve is the director of finance. That’s good, right? I mean he’s successful?”
“You’re not just in it for his pretty face?” she teased.
“That, too. I’m so excited. I hope this works out. I’m ready for a real relationship. Oh, and you should head up to the house. The guys are really putting away the wine. They’re going to get rowdy pretty soon and you don’t want to be here when that happens.”
“Are you worried about me? That’s so sweet.”
“I know. I’m an incredible human being. Be sure to tell Steve if he asks.”
“I will,” she promised. “Have fun tonight.”
“It’s what I do best.”
IZZY TOOK A LONG BATH. As she soaked in the large tub, she listened to music and hummed along with the songs.
This was good, she thought. She was adjusting. Happy, even, which she wouldn’t have thought was possible just a couple of weeks ago.She got out of the tub and used her favorite scented lotion, then pulled on bikini panties and an oversize Dallas Cowboys T-shirt to sleep in. She’d just walked into the bedroom when the door to the hall opened.
Her first thought was that Nick had finally come calling. Anticipation flooded her body, making her thighs a little shaky.
“Don’t you knock?” she asked, smiling as she spoke. Then she turned and caught sight of the man standing just inside her room.
It wasn’t Nick. The shape was all wrong, as was the way he moved. She figured it had to be one of the guys from the retreat, but didn’t know which one.
Irritation replaced eagerness.
“You have the wrong room,” she snapped. “Turn around and go back where you belong.”
“Hey, baby.” The man’s voice slurred slightly. “I thought I’d come say good-night personally. You’re with the staff, right? This is a full-service kind of place.” He moved toward her. “And in the morning, you won’t even know it was me.”
“Jackass,” she muttered, moving away from him. “I’ll break your nose. That will make you easy to identify.”
She wasn’t afraid. Not really. She was more annoyed than anything else. He was drunk. Guys did stupid things when they were drunk.