I flag the waitress again and request another shot, chasing it with a second martini to dull the hormones riding me.It’s been almost a week since I saw Eric… and a lot longer since we had sex.My libido’s been neglected.Any hot guy could incite the reaction Jaeger does.
I listen to the others talk and lose track of the conversation.After a while, I grab Gen’s chair.Or maybe her arm.Am I leaning on her?
She glances at me wearily.“Mason, we’re gonna get going.Thanks for inviting us tonight.”
Crap, those shots that dulled my senses also made me forget to keep tabs on the chemistry between Gen and Mason.Did they hit it off?
Mason smiles politely.“Great to meet you, Cali.I look forward to seeing you around at Blue.”
What a sweet guy.He’s a keeper, and I’m going to tell Gen so, just as soon as my tongue thins out.“Definitely!”I practically yell.It’s the only word I can get past my numb lips.
Gen’s eyes widen.“I think we’ll take an Uber.”
I wave goodbye to the rest of them, and they return the gesture, except for Jaeger, who observes my every uncoordinated move, his mouth tense, brows drawn.
I’m drunk, but not so drunk I don’t know what a loud, clumsy drunkass I am.Good thing I’m already in a relationship, or there’d be embarrassment on the menu for tomorrow.
We leave the casino and I tell the Uber guy to take us to the Last Stop.They’re open long after the casinos slow, with two a.m.breakfasts that have just the right amount of grease.
Gen slides into a booth, and I bump my hip on the table as I slither in across from her.
“You’re hammered, Cali.”
“Yup.”I hiccup, the foul flavor of vomitus and alcohol singeing my tongue.“Need water.”
Four glasses of water and a late-night breakfast large enough to feed a two-hundred-pound man later, my mouth regains its dexterity.“Mason’s hot,” I say casually.
Here’s where I unearth the truth about Gen’s feelings for Mason.“I’m definitely going to keep my eye out for him at the casino.I need something pretty to look at while I slave away shuffling cards,” I say, and shift my gaze to catch her response.
If one wishes to elicit a reaction from the elusive species known asreservus quietgirlius,one must poke.
Gen snorts indelicately.“Oh, it’s rough for you, isn’t it?Try carrying around a fifteen-pound tray all night—in heels.”
My brows pinch and I quickly smooth them out.I expected annoyance at my checking out Mason, and she gives me nil.Not cool.Point one to Gen, but I have more in my arsenal.
“Did you see his shoulders and arms?Those snowboarders are in good shape.”
“Okay—girl with a boyfriend.”
Ouch.That one hit the soft spot.I already feel guilty about my hormonal response to Jaeger.“I’m not actually interested.I just appreciate a nice-looking guy when I see one.I think Mason likesyou.”
Gen swishes the ice in her clear plastic cup.“He doesn’t like me.He’s a friend.”
Okay, now I’m annoyed.She’s not ’fessing up to anything.“He likes you, Gen, and he’s cute and sweet.What’s wrong with him?”
“There’s nothing wrong with him.I’m just wondering if maybe it’s too soon for me to date other men.”She thunks her cup on the table, avoiding my eyes.“I haven’t gotten over the last one that hurt me.”
A perfectly valid point.So why do I feel like the A-hole isn’t the real reason she’s suddenly shying away from dating?
“I thought you were open to going out?Dating isn’t a relationship, it’s just… hanging.No strings, just fun.”
Gen straightens.“I think maybe friendships are more my speed right now.”She shoves a forkful of hash browns into her mouth, shredded bits dangling from one corner of her lips as she chews.
She doesn’t fool me by shoveling in food so she can’t talk.I recognize avoidance tactics when I see them.
“Enough about my dating woes,” she finally says.“Let’s get in a game of table shuffleboard before we leave.”She eyes the back wall where the game is located—changing the subject, dammit!
“Fine, but be prepared for an ass-kicking.You know how good I am.”
