“I’ve got it. Just get her home. We’re going to leave as well.”
Julia made a little whiny sound and then pushed her bottom lip out to me, and I stood and made my way over to Benji.
“Can you close this tab out, please?” I said, handing him my card.
“Of course,” he said, swiping it through the machine. “Your date appears to hold her liquor very well. Poor Jeanne is going to be miserable tomorrow.”
“Yeah. I’m going to take Julia’s drunk ass home so I can go give Violet a piece of my mind.”
Benji handed me my card back and smirked at me. “You two love to give one another shit, don’t you?”
“She clearly does.” I signed the piece of paper and told him I’d talk to him later.
Getting Julia out the door was a whole other issue. The two-block walk felt like a full marathon.
“Are you seriously not going to come inside? Even after I said I’m fine with your Limp Biscuit dick and your baby doll obsession?” Her words were slurring now as I walked her up to the front door.
“I’m not coming inside, but I appreciate the support.” I chuckled, because the whole thing was ridiculous.
“Fine. It’s your loss,” she hissed as she put her key in the door.
“I’m sure it is.” I held up a hand, and she slammed the door in my face, which was a perfect ending to a horrific evening.
I made my way home and cut through the side yard, because I had a bone to pick with my neighbor first. The light was coming through the window, so I knew she was still up. I knocked on the door, then shoved my hands in my pockets, suddenly second-guessing myself.
What if she had a dude here?
She might not be alone.
What the fuck was I even doing here?
I was turning to get out of there when the door flew open.
“Charles. How was your date?” she asked as a mischievous grin took over her face.
“Don’t you mean Limp Biscuit?”
“Sir Limps a Lot is my personal favorite, although I think Get Limpy with It is another good option,” she said, and my eyes moved from her pretty face down her body. She wore a thin tank top, and my gaze zoned in on the two hard peaks poking through the fabric. She caught me staring and shrugged. “It’s cold outside.”
“Apparently. And thanks for making that the most uncomfortable night of my life,” I said, trying to hide the smile that I couldn’t fight any longer, because the evening had been laughable at the very least.
“Maybe you can cozy up to your baby dolls and brush their hair and snuggle them in bed tonight to comfort yourself from your horrible date?” She smirked.
“You know how insane that sounds, right? Me and my limp dick curled up with a bunch of creepy dolls?”
“Hey, your great-grandmother’s dolls could be keepsakes. And Julia didn’t have any issues with it. I think she actually liked the idea of you being a little—unusual. It can be intimidating when someone appears too perfect.”
I stepped closer, and I noticed the way she sucked in a breath. “Too perfect, huh? Is that what you think of me, Firefly?”
“Me? No. I find you to be very imperfect.” She cleared her throat, and her voice was a little husky now. “Moody, bossy, and what you did with Dean was a dick move.”
“What is your obsession with my dick?” I asked, my voice so gruff it was barely recognizable.
“I could care less about your limp package,” she said as her hands fisted my shirt and she tugged me closer, completely contradicting the words leaving her mouth.
“I think you do care.” I leaned down, my lips so close they grazed hers, my hand moving to the side of her neck as my thumb traced her jawline.
Have I ever wanted anyone more?
