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“These look good,” I say after I hop up to sit on the counter and scroll through the photos, and Grant hands me a new drink that tastes like vodka and whatever juice was left when I sip it. It’s not good, but it’s not bad.

“Let me see.” He leans on the counter next to me. I angle my phone towards him, and we go through both our favourites before he plucks my phone out of my hands and types away before holding it back out to me. “There, photos on the way to my phone for the poll.” He smirks at me.

“Thanks,” I say, taking it from his hands and looking around the empty kitchen, feeling a different kind of buzz from Grant’s proximity. “So, what do you normally do at these parties?” I’m mentally hitting my head against a wall. Why did I just ask him that?

“I’m not normally hanging around in the kitchen.” He chuckles, pushing his hands through his hair and movingaround to face me, leaning back against the island.

“Dancing?” I ask, smiling at him, putting my hands on the counter and leaning forward slightly. “Bet you would have a lot of girls wanting to dance with you.”

“I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Brooke.” He smirks, crossing his arms. I can’t help but notice his muscles strain against his shirt with the movement. “Maybe I just come to parties to hang with the guys?”

“Suuure, you don’t come and make moves on, girls?”I wink at him and put air quotes around the word moves, taking a sip of my drink.

“I’ll have you know. My moves are smooth,” He narrows his eyes at me playfully.

“Okay, hit me,” I laugh, adjusting myself on the counter. “Show me a move.”

“Okay, well, when I sent those photos to my phone, if I didn’t already have your number, that’s a move I’ve used.” He rubs the back of his neck with his hand self-consciously.

“That was a move? That’s kind of sneaky.” I stare at him with my mouth open. “And easy. I would have thought you would want to work harder to earn it.”

“You want me to?” He lowers his voice looking at me, and I feel a rush of excitement, something about this guy just draws me in and I know we live opposite each other and he’s quickly becoming one of my close friends so I shouldn’t even think about going there but, hey, a little flirting can’t hurt.

“Sure, show me the Anders’ moves.” I shrug one shoulder, trying to keep my breathing steady and leaning back on the counter with my hands.

“I normally start by getting them a drink.” He nods to the drink in my hand, and I look down, narrowing my eyes, that his moves had already started, and I hadn’t noticed.

“Okay, you get them a drink, you get their number, what’s next?” I lick my lips nervously, unsure of where we are heading and if we are on the same page.

“Now, I would get a little closer.” He pushes off the island and puts his hands on either side of me, caging me in, and my breath hitches; he slowly slides his hands closer to my thighs, and I open my legs up for him to stand between my legs.

“See, that one could have backfired; you might have not let me come any closer” He leans forward and whispers in my ear as he says it, and I shake my head to cover the shiver of excitement that runs through me.

“I mean, any girl in her right mind wouldn’t have stopped you.” I let out an involuntary sigh, grateful we’re not face-to-face right now.

“Is that so?” I feel him let out a rough laugh.

“So next move?” I put my hand on his chest. I’m scared my question might put an end to this little game.

He leans back to look at me for a beat, then down at my lips and just as I think he’s going to close the distance between us, he moves his head and kisses me on the cheek.

“I’ve never tried these with a girl like you before, Brooke.

” I can feel his breath tickling my ear.

“Uncharted territory for my moves.” He steps back, putting distance between us, and we both stare heatedly at each other.

“Hey!” We both jump at the interruption as Gunnar walks into the kitchen, pointing his thumb behind him “Cami is getting tired; I’m going to take her back.”

“I’m up for heading back, too.” I make a snap decision and announce, sliding off the counter and walking toward Gunnar. “You can stay.”

“Nah, I’m good. I’ll grab Cami and meet you out front,” Gunnar nods, heading back into the party.

I bite my lip and turn back towards Grant; he’s staring at me with his eyebrows turned down like he is confused. I’m confused, I feel like we are about to cross a line, and I’m not sure I’m ready.

“You should try those moves out on those girls who were watching you model.” I laugh, trying to deflect how unsure I suddenly feel, and I notice his frown deepens. “I’m sure they’d be happy to have your attention.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He pushes off the island and moves past me. “Get home safe, Brooke.” He says it coldly, and I follow behind him, but I don’t look in the direction he heads, not wanting to set myself up for disappointment.

Gunnar and Cami meet me at the door, and we walk out to the sober ride waiting for us.

“Where did you go?” Cami sighs, resting her head on my shoulder as soon as we get into the car and we head back to the apartment. “Get up to any fun?”

“No, no fun.” I sigh, already regretting telling Grant to flirt with the other girls. “Just maybe mistakes”

Cami doesn’t hear as she’s already asleep, and I lean my head on hers and close my eyes till we reach home.