Page 93 of Consumed By You

“Tonight.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He smiles, shaking his head. “I knew it would end that way. She doesn’t date. I was an exception. Whatever. It worked for a while.”

His situation strikes a chord of familiarity within me, making me less immune to his advances. “What are you still doing here? I would have left long ago by now.”

“I was, but I saw you here.” He shrugs. “And despite your apparent intoxication at the moment, you looked beautiful and interesting. I’d been staring at you since I got here. I figured why not?”

I don’t know how to respond to him. The room is spinning pretty fast. “You think I’m beautiful?”

Pursing his lips, he runs his hand through the tousled chestnut-colored mess on his head. Heisreally good-looking. Strong bones, kind features…to anyone else here, he’d probably be considered a catch.

“Every man in this room is staring at you and you’re unsure of yourself?”

I blush despite myself.

“Want to get out of here?”

I hear the words but don’t recognize them as my own until his mouth slacks open.

Did I actually just say that?

“S-Sure.” He nods, shifting slightly.

“Uh, I have to tell my friend I’m leaving first. Hold on.” I stand shakily and brace myself against the wall for support. Kevin is in the middle of the swarm of people, dancing like his life depends on it against the hot blond who was ogling him earlier.

I maneuver through the people to get to him.

Kevin grins when he sees me. “You’re not leaving already?” he exclaims over the booming stereo system. The guy reluctantly stops as well, smiling widely at me.

“Yeah, I’m going.” I extend my hand to the guy and he takes it happily. “Hi, I’m Darcy.”

“Doug!”

“Stay a little longer!” Kevin shouts.

I shake my head and tiptoe to whisper in his ear. “I’m going out with a guy.”

He stops swaying and gapes at me. “No way.”

“Yes way.”

He laughs, nodding. “Have fun and call me tomorrow so I know you’re alive.”

“Will do.” I kiss his cheek and wave at Doug then spin around to find Luke.

***

“So, do you want to go out or, uh, to my apartment?” Luke expresses with a knowing hesitance, opening the door to his Mercedes for me.

“Uh, I really…um, your apartment would probably be good.”

Kill me now. This was a horrible idea.

Note to self: Never make plans while intoxicated ever again.

He closes my door, and goes to the driver’s side, gets in, and starts the car.