Before he can answer, someone grabs my other arm and a blood-curling scream filters through the air. Without thinking, I yank myself free from Xander’s hand, turn around and kick the perpetrator responsible as hard as possible in the general crotch region.
A pubescent voice lets out a howl, echoing through the darkness, and just like that the lights are on. Standing in front of me is a pimple-faced teenager, doubled over with his hands covering his crotch.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, walking toward the kid in an attempt to placate the situation.
“You assaulted me!” the kid squeaks, his voice shaking, backing away from me while still clutching himself.
That stops me in my tracks. In the stark light of day, the only thing scary about this haunted house is getting arrested for assault, even if it was self-defense.
“There’s a clear sign at the entrance saying our staff won’t take abuse from customers,” he says, lifting a shaky hand in the direction I assume is the front.
I turn to Xander, expecting him to step forward and spout some fancy legalize. But instead, he grabs my hand and drags me as we break out into a run.
“Hey! Come back! I need your details to sue you!” I hear the kid squeak, but his threats are lost over the sound of Xander laughing his ass off. I can’t help it, I join in.
We run past the food vendors and the Gravitron, through a maze of baby animals, finally stopping at the Ferris wheel. Without skipping a beat, Xander slips us into the next carriage before the attendant can even register what’s happening. The carriage lurches forward, and the carnival disappears below us.
“What that the hell just happened?” I say when I’ve caught my breath. I can’t tell if this is the best date. Or the worst. And I realize I don’t care.
I’m having a blast.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I fly through the front door and throw my keys on the counter, skidding to a halt.
“Want a drink?” I say, remembering my manners as Xander walks in behind me, hands in his pockets, like we’re not going to be late for the sleep study. I blame the bumper cars. I couldn’t resist ramming into Xander three times in a row.
“I’m good,” he says, his eyes roaming my entire apartment. I’m impressed there are only two empty beer bottles next to the sink. I thank past me for putting the dishwasher on before I left for the sleep study last night. I also note that Em tidied up. My quick stock take means I have nothing to be embarrassed about, and so I make a mad dash into my bedroom and stuff my pajamas into my overnight bag, which has taken up residence at the foot of my bed.
“Nice place,” I hear Xander call out from the kitchen. I know he’s not using the wordnicein a neutral way because yeah, my apartment is nice. I mean, it’s small. And the rent is on thehigher end. Hence why I’m in this sleep study. But my landlord lets me do whatever I want. Which is why the place has personality. There’s a sage-green feature wall and a shit ton of colorful framed photos of mostly Em and me.
I bolt into the bathroom for my toothbrush and toothpaste only to run directly into Em.
I scream, more out of shock, before grabbing onto her arms and doubling over. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“Sorry,” Em says.
“Shouldn’t you be flirting with our tennis coach to get us discounted lessons?” I say, but she’s looking behind me now, her eyes bugging. And I know I’ll have to do introductions.
I turn and see Xander running his hand through his hair, his T-shirt riding up, a sliver of taut abdominal skin on show like it should be illegal. He looks disheveled, as if he’s recovering from the heart attack my scream triggered.
“Not a serial killer. Just Emily,” I say, straightening back up. Since Em and Xander never met in college, I proceed to introduce them. “Em, meet Xander.” I look from Em to Xander and notice he’s already recovered with a winning smile. “Xander, meet Em.”
“Nice to meet you,” Xander says first, extending his hand for a shake, which Em promptly ignores and goes in for a massive hug.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Em says into his shoulder. I look at Xander, who’s looking at me. And that winning smile has turned into a face-splitting grin. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Xander cocks an eyebrow at me. A question.You’ve been talking about me?
I shake my head at this in response.No, I haven’t.
He scrunches his nose by way of smiling.Bullshit.
I bite my lip.You’ll never know.
His eyes light up at the lip bite.Oh, I see. Say less.
I glare at him right as Em pulls back. Her eyes dart between us, like she caught us fondling each other in public.
