“Because we could have gone there instead of here.” The words should have to be said. Hook ups are always better when you don’t bring them home.
“I would have said the same thing there.” He shakes his head as if he’s disappointed in me. Who knows, maybe he is. “You know what? This may be a bad idea.”
“No.” I hold my hands out as if that can stop him from walking out the door. “It’s not a bad idea. We can hang out.”
He’s trying to be the good guy here, and I’m not making it easy. My head is telling me to let him walk out the door. We clearly aren’t here for the same reasons. But my gut…that’s saying something else entirely. There’s a possibility not being intimate may be a good thing.
“Are you sure?”
I don’t blame him for questioning me. I would if I were in his shoes. The only solution is to push through the awkwardness I’ve created.
“Yep. What do people do when they just hang out?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Wow, I feel like a complete dumbass. Clearly, I’ve been single way too long. Or, I’ve had a bit too much fun. I don’t normally stick around when I meet up with guys.
“Uh, no.” I shrug and move toward the living room,hoping he’ll follow instead of run out the door. “I don’t have a ton of experience in just hanging out.”
At least, not since high school. But I’m not telling him that. There’s no way I’m going to look good if I give further explanation.
“Oh, well, we can watch TV, talk, or play card games if you have any cards.”
“Absolutely no board, or card, games.” I shake my head. It’s one of my worst nightmares from my childhood with my overly competitive siblings. I never had a good time, and they did their best to make me feel dumb. And they wonder why I don’t want anything to do with them, or the winery.
“I’m sensing some trauma.”
“You have no idea.”
“Okay, so games are out.” He studies me for a second. “We can just watch a movie. Unless you have any video games.”
“Actually.” I grin. “I do have a gaming console. It’s probably my favorite racing game ever.”
“That sounds like a challenge.”
“Bring it on, buddy. I’m about to demolish you.”
“If you say so.” He moves to sit on the sofa. “Do you need help with anything?”
“Not really. It’s literally just pushing a few buttons.” I move toward the console and turn it on at the same time I turn on the TV. “There should be beer and water in the fridge if you’re thirsty.”
“Water sounds good.”
I hear a pillow hit the coffee table when he stands up.At least he’s comfortable enough in his own skin to rummage through my fridge while I’m getting the game going.
Now that the startup menu is on the screen, I grab the controllers and move to the sofa. Tristan comes back at the same time with two bottles of water in his hand. I mean, a beer sounds nice to calm my nerves, but hydration is probably more important. I still have to work tomorrow, and I refuse to show up to Whoopsie Daisy hungover. Not when I’m hoping to become closer to the ladies I work with.
“Are you ready to get beat?” He grins over at me as I hand him a controller.
“In your dreams.”
This is the weirdest one night stand I’ve ever had. Despite how easily we seem to get along, there’s no way I’m continuing this past tonight. Especially not when he’s out of town so often and doesn’t even live here. A night of racing will have to do.
CHAPTER ONE
paula
“Welcome to Whoopsie Daisy,what can I help you with?” My voice is almost like a tune as the bell above the door rings. I don’t even bother looking up before the words are out of my mouth.
