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Benny bellowing over the noise yanks me out of my thoughts. I’ve been zoning for minutes from the stares I am getting. I am waiting on a booth full of girls my age. They peer down their noses at me, their gazes stuck on my half-sleeves, then move up to my face. One of them flicks her long, thick blonde strands over her shoulder and huffs, as though wondering what Taron sees in me.

Well, he won’t be seeing anything other than my friendly smile. I paste one on. He is making headway with his teammates. Is getting invited to more parties than ever before. I suggested we clone him. Taron is a social butterfly, and I am a couch potato.

Bugs and vegetables do not mix unless, of course, he would like to eat me out. Heading for Benny and the tray of shots, I groan. Dare’s crassness is rubbing off on me.

I flit from table to table, delivering drinks and food. Midnight did take Hunter’s idea into consideration and changed up the menu. Finger foods but not too messy. My favorite is the Irish Nachos. Yummy.

Speaking of Hunter, he has been sending me apologetic texts and lines and lines of kissing emojis and crying emojis. What do I do with his apologies? I want nothing to do with him or Rhett, and went so far as to block his number when he called me.

Blocking him does not stop Hunter from approaching me in the back kitchen. Finally, I’ve had enough and accept his apology. Before I can stop him, he pulls me in for a hug.

“Thanks, Syn. You won’t regret this.”

“I already do.”

“Syn, babe.” He tips my face up with his finger under my chin. “I’ll be the better guy for you. I promise.”

“Geez, that’s what you said when I told you about our baby.”

“I mean it this time.”

I untangle out of his arms. “It’s over, Hunter. I’m with Taron now.”

I didn’t tell Taron about the texts. Again, he is making headway, and we’re making progress in our relationship. Why upset the balance of things? I walk out of the kitchen with my head held high and my shoulders pulled back.

Hopefully, Hunter got my message loud and clear. On my way to clearing off a table, large hands reach for me. Muscular arms press into my hips. I glance down into Taron’s smiling face.

“Hey, baby. Been missing you all week.”

It’s been a week since we’ve seen one another. He hasn’t been coming over, instead sending me texts from whichever party he is at. Or hanging out and playing video games with the guys. Or getting in tutoring time with this beautiful brunette. Taron is in demand, and I give him space to shine. To be included in all things Dumas. Maybe then there is a good chance he’ll stick around town after graduation.

Wishful thinking and a topic that hangs in the air between us. We try to enjoy the here and now, but still, the uncertainty of a future together looms large the more the days and weeks pass without us broaching that sensitive topic.

I also didn’t tell Taron I missed my period.

“I missed you too. I have a break in ten minutes.”

“Come sit with us.”

“Midnight—”

“Owes me for the jump in business.”

I concede. It cannot be that uncomfortable and awkward sitting with his teammates and a table full of other girls when my guy and my best friend are at the table too.

When it’s break time, I sit at Taron’s table. Dare slides a shot over to me from across the table. I am sitting on Taron’s lap. Not exactly where I would like to be with the girls glaring at me.

Curled up on the couch, reading a steamy romance book, is more my pace on a Saturday night. Or having a low-key night binging-watching Netflix shows or going dancing with my friends if one or all of us are having a bad day or week.

But sitting on his lap like I’m a pet is not my ideal date night. I slide my shot glass back over to Dare. He raises a brow. I tell him I’m not in the mood.

“How aboutIput you in the mood?”

“Taron.”

“It’s just a kiss, Syn. Hell, we kissed in front of a stadium of people.”

True.