Taking him at his word, Hailey encouraged the changing of the subject, chatting with him about anything but the Ministry or Lucy. It seemed to be working, she realized as she laughed about something stupid as they neared the bottom of the pitcher. So caught up in it was she that she didn't even notice when Penny walked it. That had to be a first.
She was startled when Penny was suddenly there with a round of shots, and she automatically smiled back at Penny. Her stomach immediately knotted up, and she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. And then she realized Penny was talking, and she glanced at the shots, then back at her. Plucking up one of the shot glasses, she looked at Jaimeson, matching his raised brows with her own.
"Why not?" she decided, toasting with her glass before downing the shot within. It hadn't occurred to her yet how strange it was that they ended up in the same seedy muggle pub tonight, but even if it did, she would probably count it as a sign. She was meant to be around Penny tonight.