Yup Is the New Nope
Tessa
Ryder's question nearly knocked me sideways. Except he hadn't really phrased it as a question.
And yet, that deceptively simple statement hung between us like a pop quiz on a Friday afternoon.The way I hear it, the two of you were dating.
By now, we'd been standing in the same spot for far too long, especially considering the time – long past midnight but nowhere near sunrise.
I turned and started walking. I was ridiculously relieved when he followed suit. We walked for several paces in silence until I said, "So…I guess that's a question, huh?"
"That depends. Are you gonna answer it?"
I forced a laugh. "And what if I don't?"
"Then I guess that's answer enough."
Actually, it wasn't. This time, the truth was somewhere in the middle. Isighed."One date. Does that count as dating?"
He was silent for a long moment before saying, "I guess it depends on what you call a date."
"Well, I didn't sleep with him if that's what you're wondering." But even as I said it, it sounded just a little unbelievable. After all, barely thirty minutes ago, I'd practically invited myself up to Ryder's hotel room, where who-knows-what might've happened.
And now I felt compelled to explain. "Just so you know, I don't throw myself at every guy I meet."
Ryder chuckled like it was all a big joke. "Good to know."
"I'm serious," I said. "Even the thing with us – you know, calling up to your balcony – that isn't my normal thing."
"I never said it was."
"Yeah, but I can imagine what you're thinking."
"Which is…?"
"Well, look at us. One minute we're practically strangers, and the next, we're kissing. Andthen, I'm inviting myself upstairs. You probably think I do that with everyone."
Sounding amused, he said, "Believe me. If you did that with everyone, I would've heard."
It was no joke."From who?"
"I dunno. ZZ?"
The balcony-yelling biker?I stopped and turned to face him. "What exactly are you implying?"
He halted and turned to meet my stare. "Well, not whatyou'rethinking, obviously."
And now I felt so awkward, I could hardly meet his eyes. "You have no idea what I'm thinking."
"So, tell me."
Gosh, how to put this?"I guess I'd just hate for you to think that I'm the island welcoming committee or something."
At this, he had the nerve to laugh. "Trust me, you're not that welcoming."
Was that supposed to make me feel better?"And what doesthatmean?"
"Take earlier today," he said. "I thought you were gonna bite my head off for that raisin order."
