“He’s not my type.”
Marissa laughs, her eyes watching for a stall door to open. “I said the same thing about Ryland and look at us now. No pressure, but you could do worse.”
You could do worse.Exactly the words a girl wants to hear about a guy her friend is obviously trying to set her up with.
A stall opens and Marissa practically runs for it. I’m still waiting when she exits and washes her hands.
“Do you want me to wait?” she asks walking by me in line.
I take her empty stall. “No, I’m fine. I’ll see you on the dance floor.”
The stall door closes, her reply lost in the beat of the music as the main bathroom door is opened.
Bodies are crushed together in the small bathroom by the time I’m finished. I try not to look at myself in the mirror because no one looks good after two hours of dancing at a club, but the quick subconscious peek I catch isn’t too bad. My face is red, a color close to my strawberry blonde hair and a few strands stick to my forehead, but it’s still relatively straight. The eyeliner Aspen forced me to wear hasn’t run. I’m impressed.
The door of the bathroom bangs on the outside wall as I leave like a woman on a mission. I’ve taken Marissa’s words to heart and I’m tired of always being the responsible one. I’m going out there to grind my ass on Grant. He won’t know what hit him. I almost feel bad for him.
To my surprise the man in question waits for me outside the door. He steps in my path and drags me off to the side, handing over a new plastic cup.
“Where are you headed looking like you’re ready to take on an army?”
I can’t admit I’m about to get my freak on with him, so rather than answer, I distract myself with a cautious sip from the cup.
Water.
“Thanks.” I finish off the liquid and hand the cup back.
Grant looks around and then tosses it on the floor where everyone else has decided to leave theirs tonight. “Everyone is getting ready to leave. Do you need a ride home?”
All the momentum I worked up fades and my expression falls. “The night is still young.” I sound more enthusiastic than I am, but I wanted the chance to show everyone how I’m hip and cool too. It’s probably a good thing. I was more excited to dirty dance on Grant than I should allow myself.
Grant laughs at my expression. “We can stay if you want.”
It’s a nice offer, but one I shouldn’t take him up on. I need to figure out what my feelings are for Grant… and whether they are acceptable. I’m pretty sure I like him more than I should. “No, it’s fine. I’ll call for an Uber.”
Grant’s mouth drops open in disgust. “I thought we discussed this? We’ll share a cab.”
There’s no point in fighting with him when he gets like this. He’s too much like Drew, stubborn and bossy. For some reason they’re under the impression because I have a vagina I need a man to take care of me.
Grant wraps an arm around my middle and we walk to the front of the warehouse. The place has only gotten fuller as the night progressed, so our progress is slow and hindered by the crunch of bodies. By the time we make it to the front door, I’m squeezed as tightly as possible to him.
The air outside the club is chilly, but I’m not sure if it’s from the cool San Francisco climate or the temperature change from the 120 degrees it was inside. I shiver and wrap my arms around myself.
“I don’t have a jacket for you.” Grant taps away at his phone, the bright yellow background of the app he’s using for a popular taxi company visible. “I should make it up to you with dinner.”
It never ends with this man, but this time I smile at his persistence. “It’s after eleven. Nothing is open.”
“My hotel has twenty-four-hour room service.”
I grab my phone from my pocket to send a text letting Drew know I’m on my way home but stop at Grant’s words. “You are not getting me in your hotel room again.”
“Do you think so little of me?” he asks but doesn’t wait for an answer. “We can order food and eat while you show me this castle you’re so fond of.”
“Yeah right.”
“I’m serious. No funny business.” Grant takes the phone from my hand.
“Hey!” He messes with the screens doing something I can’t see. “I already have your phone number in there.”
“Yes, but now you no longer have the Uber app.” He hands the phone back, a satisfied little smile on his face. “From this moment forth consider me your new taxi service.”
I roll my eyes but don’t put up a bigger fight because a cab stops at the curb. I’ll re-download the app later. It’s almost cute how he thinks I’ll listen. Grant holds the door open for me and I slide over to the other side making room for him. Which I regret when he gives the cabbie the address to this hotel rather than my house.
“Grant…”
“A quick tour of the castle and a sandwich. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Miss?” the cabbie asks, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror with questions.
“Fine.” I give in.
